TWO THOMASIANS, architect Gabriel Formoso and composer Alfredo Buenaventura, have been proclaimed National Artists for Architecture and Music, respectively.
The Varsitarian broke the story on the new National Artists on Sept. 9, more than a week after Proclamation No. 1414 was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 1.
Formoso, who graduated from the UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1937, became a registered architect in 1939 and worked for Andres Luna de San Pedro and Pablo Antonio before establishing his own practice.
In more than 40 years of practice, he designed about 80 buildings and more than 150 residences. His major works included the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas complex and the former Metropolitan Museum along Roxas Boulevard, the Manila Peninsula Hotel, the Asian Institute of Management, Club Filipino and Development Academy of the Philippines.
Formoso believed that architecture should create beauty, respond to its social environment and strive for simplicity. His works were also marked by a sensitivity to Filipino architectural traditions.
He received the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan award from the City of Manila in 1977 and the Likha Award and Gold Medal of Merit, the highest honor of the United Architects of the Philippines, in 1990.
Buenaventura studied liberal arts and music simultaneously at UST and earned an associate in arts degree from the University in 1951. He later obtained a bachelor of music degree, major in composition and conducting, from Centro Escolar University in 1958.
A composer, conductor and educator, Buenaventura drew inspiration from Philippine history and folklore, incorporating folk songs and indigenous Filipino instruments into his compositions.
His orchestral works included “Kayumanggi” (Brown Race) and “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines), while his works for symphonic band included “Bathaluman Concert Overture” and “Dakilang Lahi” (Great Race).
His “Celebration for Piano and Orchestra” was performed at Carnegie Hall in New York by the American Symphony Orchestra, with Carol Rosenberger as soloist.
Buenaventura also arranged extensively for the rondalla, with some of his arrangements performed and recorded by the Villa Escudero Rondalla and Philippine Normal University Rondalla and released by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and National Commission for Culture and the Arts. He also composed “Rondalla Fantasy,” a solo for bandurria-octavina, in 2016.
Buenaventura composed operas, theater music and sacred works and guest-conducted the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra and Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra. He served as dean of the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music and taught at several universities.
He received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award twice, for his opera “Maria Makiling” in 1964 and “Kayumanggi (Brown) Symphony” in 1972.
Buenaventura was given The Outstanding Filipino award in 1995.
Also proclaimed National Artists were Nonoy Froilan for Dance; Patis Tesoro for Fashion Design; Armando “Bing” Lao for Film and Broadcast Arts; Gregorio Brillantes and Nicanor Tiongson for Literature; Teddy Hilado for Theater; and Imelda Cajipe Endaya and Nunelucio Alvarado for Visual Arts.
The 10 new National Artists include four who received the distinction posthumously: Formoso, Brillantes, Lao and Hilado. A total of 91 National Artists have been proclaimed.
The Order of National Artists is the country’s highest national recognition for Filipinos who have made distinct and significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and letters. It is conferred by the president upon the recommendation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
National Artists receive the title and rank of National Artist, a gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, a citation and a Grand Collar during formal ceremonies.
Living National Artists are also entitled to a minimum cash award of P200,000, a P50,000 lifetime monthly stipend and medical and hospitalization benefits of up to P750,000 per year under current NCCA guidelines.
National Artists are accorded a state funeral upon death and given a place of honor at state functions, national commemorations and cultural presentations.
