FRANCISCO “Bobby” Mañosa was among National Artists honored at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines last May 16.
Mañosa had a strong advocacy for indigenous architecture, and some of his greatest architectural works and designs were presented in a short slide show as performing group The Company and The Opera serenaded the audience with a rendition of Manning Sherwin’s “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.”
Wife Denis and daughter Bambi represented the late architect, who passed away earlier this year.
“I’m very elated, I’m really happy for him… the music, the orchestration—he would have loved this tribute,” Bambi said.
“When you watch something like this and you’re in the company of all these artists and cultural workers and people who love their country so much, it really is amazing,” she added.
Denis stood on stage with other National Artists in the final part of the program.
Mañosa graduated from the old College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1953. He was one of seven National Artists proclaimed by President Duterte in October last year.
