BACOLOD CITY — A native of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, has been named one of the country’s National Artists for 2025, bringing the province another distinction in the field of Philippine arts.
Maestro Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado was among 10 Filipinos conferred the country’s highest national recognition for artists under Proclamation No. 1414, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 1, 2026.
Alvarado, a leading social realist artist whose work has been deeply rooted in community life and local stories, is from Barangay Fabrica, Sagay City.
The black-sand shores of Margaha Beach in Barangay Old Sagay, which have long figured in Alvarado’s artistic and community work, now serve as the home of a National Artist.
Other 2025 honorees are Gabriel Formoso for Architecture; Rafael “Nonoy” Catalino Froilan for Dance; Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro for Fashion Design; Armando “Bing” Lao for Film; Gregorio Brillantes for Literature; Nicanor Tiongson and Teodoro Hilado for Theater; Alfredo Buenaventura for Music; and Imelda Cajipe-Endaya for Visual Arts.
The Order of National Artist is the highest national recognition given to Filipino artists for their significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts.
It is jointly administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines and is conferred by the President upon their recommendation.
For Alvarado’s family, the announcement marked the culmination of his more than five-decade journey in the arts.
His wife, Rosalia, said the recognition was deeply emotional after witnessing her husband’s struggles and dedication to using art to give voice to communities and people whose stories deserve to be heard.
“We thank the Lord for this blessing. We are very happy and proud as a family that Nune has finally received this national recognition,” she said.
Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva said the honor belongs not only to Alvarado but also to the communities that have long been at the center of his work.
He said Alvarado demonstrated that an artist could remain rooted in his community while producing works that resonate nationally and internationally.
“He brought his art back to Sagay, shared it with our children and communities, and helped make art part of everyday life here,” Cueva said.
“Today, the whole country recognizes what Sagaynons have long known—that we have a national treasure living with us here in Margaha.”
Born on May 5, 1950, in Barangay Fabrica, Alvarado has built a career spanning more than five decades and has emerged as one of the Philippines’ prominent social realist artists.
As a National Artist, Alvarado will receive a gold-plated medallion crafted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, a cash award of P200,000 for living awardees, and a P50,000 monthly lifetime stipend.
The award also includes medical and hospitalization benefits of up to P750,000 annually and lifetime insurance coverage for insurable awardees.
National Artists are likewise accorded a state funeral and burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, as well as a place of honor at national state functions and cultural events./PN
