Home to 19 National Artists of the Philippines

Over the decades, the Republic of the Philippines has conferred the highest honor for Filipino artists: the Order of National Artists. As of 2022, 22.1% of the 86 awardees have Thomasian roots.

Francisco Sionil Jose
National Artist for Literature
Cirilo F. Bautista
National Artist for Literature
Bienvenido Lumbera
National Artist for Literature
Ang Kiukok
National Artist for Visual Arts
Victorio Edades
National Artist for Visual Arts
Arturo Luz
National Artist for Visual Arts
J. Elizalde Navarro
National Artist for Visual Arts
Leandro V. Locsin
National Artist for Architecture
Francisco T. Mañosa
National Artist for Architecture
Juan F. Nakpil
National Artist for Architecture
Ildefonso P. Santos
National Artist for Architecture
Jose Maria V. Zaragoza
National Artist for Architecture
Gerardo de Leon
National Artist for Cinema
Salvacion Lim-Higgins
National Artist for Design
Ernani J. Cuenco
National Artist for Music
Daisy Avellana
National Artist for Theater