Shortlist for national artist submitted to Palace

MANILA, Philippines — A shortlist has been submitted to Malacañang for the National Artist awards, the first to be given under the Duterte administration.

President Duterte is reportedly set to proclaim new National Artists this week. 

According to information circulating on social media, claimed the President would name Kidlat Tahimik as National Artist for cinema and Francisco Mañosa as National Artist for architecture. 

Their names were submitted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Others reportedly on the list are editorial cartoonist and illustrator Larry Alcala for visual arts and Hiligaynon writer Ramon Muzones and Cebuano scholar Resil Mojares for literature.

The President is reportedly proclaiming three folk artists – weavers Estelita Bantilan of Sarangani, Ambalang Ausalin of Basilan and Yabing Dulo of South Cotabato – as Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasures.

Composer Ryan Cayabyab, meanwhile, is said to also be nominated as National Artist for Music.

The NCCA and CCP boards also reportedly renominated actress Nora Aunor for National Artist.