WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines provides for patronage of arts and letters by the State;

WHEREAS, the category National Artist was created under Proclamation No. 1001 (s. 1972);

WHEREAS, preeminent achievements that have enhanced the cultural heritage of the Filipino people deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of the Government in pursuit of its policy of preserving and developing Filipino culture and a national identity; and

WHEREAS, the works and achievements of National Artist for Theater, Severino Montano; National Artist for Theater and Film, Lamberto Avellana; National Artists for Literature, N.V.M. Gonzales; and National Artist for Film, Manuel Conde, are reflective of this preeminent excellence and of the national genius that contributed to the national heritage of the Philippines and the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, upon the recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), do hereby declare the following:

3 January 2015 to 3 January 2016	: Centennial Year of National Artist for Theater, Severino Montano
12 February 2015 to 12 February 2016	: Centennial Year of National Artist for Theater and Film, Lamberto Avellana
8 September 2015 to 8 September 2016	: Centennial Year of National Artist for Literature, N.V.M. Gonzales
9 October 2015 to 9 October 2016	: Centennial Year of National Artist for Film, Manuel Conde

The NCCA and CCP shall be the lead agencies for the celebration of said centennial birth years in coordination with pertinent government agencies, to promote the works and achievements of the National Artists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of April, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Fifteen.

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary