In this week-long observance of Undas – or anytime of the year when there would be less people – it would be a good idea to visit and pay our respects to our national artists who gave us nation-al pride for their influence on the development of Philippine art and letters.
One of the honors and privileges to a national artist, according to the official gazette, is “a state funeral and burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.”
Situated in Taguig City, the Libingan ng mga Bayani gives a permanent haven for departed Filipinos with significant contributions to the country, including national artists.
Libingan ng mga Bayani (Photo from Libingan ng mga Bayani’s official Facebook page)
Here are some of the national artists who were laid to rest in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
- Napoleon Abueva (Jan. 26, 1930 – Feb. 16, 2018) - National Artist for Sculpture, awarded in 1976
- F. Sionil Jose (Dec. 3, 1924 – Jan. 6, 2022) - National Artist for Literature, awarded in 2001
- Abdulmari Asia Imao (Jan. 14, 1936 – Dec. 16, 2014) - National Artist for Visual Arts, awarded in 2006
- Cirilo Bautista (July 9, 1941 – May 6, 2018) - National Artist for Literature, awarded in 2014
- Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa (Feb. 12, 1931 – Feb. 20, 2019) - National Artist for Architecture and Allied Arts, awarded in 2018
Manila North Cemetery (Manny Llanes)
On the City of Manila website, the Manila North Cemetery is called “one of the oldest cemeteries in Metro Manila, Philippines,” and “one of the largest in the metropolis at 54 hectares.”
Some of the national artists who are buried in the Manila North Cemetery as posted by former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on his Facebook page are:
- Amado Hernandez (Sept. 13, 1903 – May 24, 1970) - National Artist for Literature, awarded in 1973
- Honorata “Ka Atang Dela Rama”; (Jan. 11, 1902 – July 11, 1991) - National Artist for Theater and Music, awarded in 1987
- Fernando Poe Jr. (Aug. 20, 1939 – Dec. 14, 2004) - National Artist for Cinema, awarded in 2006