Palace names 10 new National Artists, including Patis Tesoro, Bing Lao, and Nonoy Froilan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 1 has officially declared ten new National Artists for 2025 through Proclamation No. 1414.

The awardees include Nicanor Tiongson and the late Gregorio Brillantes for Literature, along with Imelda Cajipe Endaya and Nunelucio Alvarado for Visual Arts. Endaya is the first female artist recognized in visual arts.

Architect Gabriel Formoso, dancer and choreographer Rafael "Nonoy" Froilan, fashion designer Maria Beatriz "Patis" Tesoro, screenwriter and film director Armando "Bing" Lao, lighting designer Teodoro Hilado, and composer Alfredo S. Buenaventura round out the list.

Four of the ten honors are awarded posthumously to Formoso, Lao, Brillantes, and Hilado.

With ten honorees, this is the largest group named at once in the award's history, expanding the total roster of National Artists from 81 to 91. The 2025 batch breaks the previous record set in 1997, when nine individuals were recognized in one cycle.

The details regarding the official conferment ceremony will be announced at a later date.