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

WHEREAS, the category known as National Artist was created under Proclamation No. 1001, dated April 27, 1972;

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

WHEREAS, excellence in the field of Historical Literature contributes to the artistic heritage of the Philippines and therefore deserves such recognition and acknowledgment of our Government;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the creation of the category of National Artist for Historical Literature.

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 9^th day of October in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary