New law sees creation of Edades and Bernal Cultural Center in Dagupan City
To permanently recognize the works of National Artists Victorio Edades and Salvador Bernal, the “Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum” will soon be established in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
This, following the signing of Republic Act (RA) 11726 titled “An Act Establishing The Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum in Dagupan City, Province of Pangasinan, and Appropriating Funds Therefor", last April 29.


Edades, “the father of modern Philippine painting"; and Bernal, “the father of theater design", will have their works permanently commemorated in the new museum.
Edades was named National Artist in 1976, and Bernal in 2003. Both hailed from Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
“ galvanizes the policy of the State to preserve the works of our national artists and acknowledges their significance in the nation’s cultural heritage,” said Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Christopher De Venecia.
De Venecia–who chairs the House Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts–principally authored House Bill (HB) 8133, the House precursor to RA 11726.
“The Edades and Bernal Cultural Center and Museum shall be a collaboration between the city government of Dagupan and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) with its concerned affiliated cultural agencies and pertinent academic and private sector partners, and members of governance, organization, operations and development to be provided for by the mutual agreement between the parties, to be executed and published within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act,” read Section 3 of RA 11726.