Ang Kiukok painting declared 'National Cultural Treasure'
MANILA, Philippines — National Artist Ang Kiukok’s painting titled “Men at Work” is now declared as National Cultural Treasure (NCT) and Important Cultural Property (ICP), according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
“Men at Work” is a commissioned work by the national artist for National Manpower and Youth Commission (NMYC) in 1979. Ang Kiukok, who died in 2005, was a renowned Filipino expressionist whose striking and colorful paintings portrayed a variety of cubist-like figures.
In accordance with Section 3 (bb) of RA 10066, a National Cultural Treasure (NCT) is defined as "cultural properties possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to the country and nation."
Headed by Chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso and its Board of Commissioners, NCCA followed procedural work to prove that the painting qualifies to be called NCT.
On the 28th of April 2021, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) filed a petition to the NCCA to declare Ang Kiukok's work as an ICP.
Pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10066 and Section 11 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the NCCA called for a public notice to invite opposition or support for the said petition.
The Commission also referred the petition to members of its national committees – the NCCA National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA), National Committee on Museums (NCOM), and National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG) with nationwide members coming from both the private and public sector.
Moreover, the Commission wrote letters to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and to the Taguig City Government requesting their position on the petition.
The National Museum of the Philippines physically assessed the painting and interposed no objection to the petition, noting that the painting clearly meets the criteria of an ICP. In addition, NMP recommended considering the artwork to be also declared as NCT.
The painting was inspected and assessed as well in TESDA by a panel of experts. Based on their assessment, the painting may be observed as a tribute to Filipino workers. The panel of experts also recommended that the artwork be declared as NCT.
“Men at Work” is currently displayed at the entrance wall of the TESDA Auditorium. It is a three-panel painting that symbolizes the strength of the Filipino working men. The painting emphasizes the significance of TESDA’s mandate of providing relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education and skills development, in support of the development of high-quality Filipino middle-level manpower.
Thus, the subject painting is the depiction of the resiliency of the skilled Filipino workforce.
After due deliberation and careful evaluation, the petition to declare the “Men at Work” as NCT was granted by the NCCA Board of Commissioners last November 25, 2021.
For the procedure and requirements for Declaration/Delisting of Cultural Properties as National Cultural Treasures or Important Cultural Properties and Removal of Presumption as Important Cultural Property, you may refer to NCCA Heritage Bulletin Resolution No. 2021-313.
