The University of the Philippines will honor National Artists Benedicto Cabrera, Resil Mojares, and Agnes Locsin in the third offering of Tanghal Tertulia on Feb. 21, 2026.

A festive evening of music, dance, and prose- this time with the additional element of visual arts- will once again be set against the scenic bamboo backdrop of the UP Executive House Amphitheater in Diliman. The annual tribute will pay homage to the three National Artists and their enduring contributions to Philippine arts and culture. The Tanghal Tertulia clinched the Best Special Events Production Award at the 38th Aliw Awards — the only event from a higher education institution recognized in the category.

Cabrera, more popularly known as “BenCab,” was conferred the National Artist for Visual Arts in 2006 in recognition of his mastery of contemporary Philippine art, as evident in his paintings and pieces that commented on the struggles and strife of the ordinary Filipino. He finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at UP Diliman in 1963, and was awarded Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, in 2009 by the University of the Philippines.

Mojares, widely celebrated as the “Visayan Titan of Letters” for his extensive research, critical essays, and fiction, received the honor of National Artist for Literature in 2018 for devoting his life to Philippine cultural and historical studies, especially his pioneering efforts in building the infrastructure to support scholarly Cebuano studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Literature from UP Diliman in 1979.

Locsin was recognized as a National Artist for Dance in 2022 for her progressive work in neo-ethnic Filipino dance, characterized by her distinct choreography that blends indigenous ritual and ethnic traditions with Western classical and modern techniques. She was a senior lecturer at the UP Diliman College of Music’s dance program for seven years, where she embedded her artistic philosophy and shaped the artistic development of future dancers and choreographers.

Tanghal Tertulia is UP’s flagship cultural program celebrating the University’s homegrown National Artists, led by the UP Office of the President in collaboration with the UP Diliman College of Music, the Philippine Association of University Women- UP Chapter (PAUW-UP), the UP President’s Committee on Culture and the Arts, UP Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs, and TVUP.

Its inaugural program in 2024 honored Ramon Santos (Music), Gémino Abad (Literature), and Virgilio Almario (Literature), while its second iteration last year paid tribute to Ricardo Lee (Film and Broadcast Arts), Fides Cuyugan-Asensio (Music), and Ryan Cayabyab (Music).

Tanghal Tertulia is open to the public. However, due to limited seating capacity and event arrangements, attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested attendees may RSVP through this link to ensure a smooth experience for all guests.