Carillon is published by the
University of the Philippines
Office of Alumni Relations
LIVING NATIONAL ARTISTS IN UP
Ricky Lee (movie), Ryan Cayabyab (music), Fides Ascencio (music)
by Thea Claudette R. Castañeda
Beyond its renowned programs in science and technology, UP also recognizes the importance of arts and culture in shaping the nation’s identity. The University’s core values of honor, excellence, and service, are not only exemplified through UP programs supporting science and technology, but they are also embodied in celebrating artistic excellence through events like Tanghal Tertulia, a tribute to living National Artists who are UP alumni.
UP is known for producing notable figures in various fields that help shape the nation’s history to what is known today. Artists who are UP alumni have also made their mark, especially in art forms and movements that are thought-provoking and revolutionary for the industry they are in.
Celebrating the artistic excellence of living National Artists who are UP alumni, Tanghal Tertulia is a night of sharing of poems, music, and other artistic tributes to art and beauty in the UP community.
The tradition began in December 2023 upon the formation of an ad hoc community consisting of Professor Emeritus Jose “Butch” Dalisay, Jr., Professor and former Vice President for Public Affairs Roland Tolentino from the UP Film Institute, Professor and Dean Jimmuel Naval from the UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters, Professor Romulo “Joey” Baquiran, Jr. from the UP Likhaan Institute of Creative Writing, Professor and Dean Patricia Brillantes Silvestre from the UP College of Music; and Tanghal Tertulia Chair Atty. Fina dela Cuesta-Tantuico. The committee was formed under the request of UP President Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez, who envisioned a poetry reading session surrounded by the bamboo trees swaying under warm yellow lights that filled the starry evening sky.
The title, “Tanghal Tertulia”, came to be from the word tertulia, which embodied the Spanish tradition of an informal gathering of people, and tanghal, meaning to exhibit and perform, usually in a recital-like setting. The first Tanghal Tertulia was held on 26 February 2024, which celebrated the works and excellence of National Artists Gémino H. Abad, Virgilio S. Almario, and Ramon P. Santos. Its success led to its second installment this year.
Dubbed as “Tertulia Segunda”, the second Tanghal Tertulia was held last 8 March 2025, at the Amphitheater Garden of the UP Executive House located in UP Diliman, the same venue that inspired this event in the first place. Tertulia Segunda gave tribute to National Artists Ricky Lee and Ryan Cayabyab, and Fides Cuyugan-Asensio. The event coincided with International Women’s Day as well as the National Arts Month.
The series of tributes began with honoring National Artist and Professor Emeritus Fides Cuyugan-Asensio. Dubbed the “grand dame of the Philippine stage”, she is a renowned coloratura soprano, actress, librettist, director, producer, and educator. A valuable faculty in UP College of Music, Cuyugan-Asensio served as Chair of its Voice and Music Theater Department from 1988 to 1997, and was conferred as Professor Emeritus in Voice by the UP Board of Regents. She was then recently hailed as National Artist for Music in 2022. Tribute performances for her included a jazz-infused rendition of “Quando Meno Vo” from Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème, a rendition of “Mayo, Mayo na Naman” and “Salamin, Salamin” performed by soprano Bianca Lopez-Aguila, the latter song with special participation from the National Artist herself.
The second tribute was for National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Ricardo “Ricky” Lee. A former AB English student of UP Diliman’s Department of English and Comparative Literature, Ricky Lee has occasionally taught writing workshops in UP Film Institute. A prolific writer and screenwriter, he is known for his contributions to Philippine cinema, including films like “Himala”, “Karnal”, “Moral”, and “The Flor Contemplacion Story”, earning him his title as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. The tribute for him featured a performance of the theme song of “Isang Himala” by singer-actress Aicelle Santos, and a musical and dance interpretation of the theme song from “Karnal” by the UP Jazz Ensemble and the UP Dance Company.
The final tribute of the night was for National Artist and alumnus, Ryan Cayabyab. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree at the UP College of Music, where he also taught for two decades as a professor under the Department of Composition and Music Theory. A multi-awarded musician, composer, and conductor, Cayabyab’s works have become an integral part of Philippine music. Being one of the pillars for Original Pilipino Music (OPM), he earned the title of National Artist for Music in 2018. He actively participated in his own tribute performances by performing the piano alongside UP Jazz Ensemble. Other performances featured his musical pieces and hits such as “Death Duet” from the 2003 opera Spoliarium, “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako” from Katy! The Musical, “Nais Ko”, and “Awit ng Pagsinta.”
The event was a lighthearted yet memorable celebration of the artistic legacies of these three National Artists.
As of writing, 44 out of the 81 National Artists belong to the UP community, whether as an alumni or as a professor in the University.
- Fernando C. Amorsolo (National Artist for Visual Arts – Painting, 1972)
- Francisca Santos Reyes-Aquino (National Artist for Dance, 1973)
- Amado V. Hernández (National Artist for Literature, 1973)
- Antonio J. Molina (National Artist for Music, 1973)
- Juan Felipe de Jesus Nakpil (National Artist for Architecture, 1973)
- Guillermo E. Tolentino (National Artist for Visual Arts – Sculpture, 1973)
- José García Villa (National Artist for Literature, 1973)
- Napoleón “Billy” V. Abueva (National Artist for Visual Arts – Sculpture, 1976)
- Vicente S. Manansala (National Artist for Visual Arts – Painting, 1981)
- Carlos P. Rómulo (National Artist for Literature, 1982)
- Antonino R. Buenaventura (National Artist for Music, 1988)
- Zacarias Francisco “Franz” Arcellana (National Artist for Literature, 1990)
- César T. Legaspi (National Artist for Visual Arts – Painting, 1990)
- Leandro Valencia Locsín (National Artist for Architecture, 1990)
- Lucio D. San Pedro (National Artist for Music, 1991)
- Catalino “Lino” Ortiz Brocka (National Artist for Film, 1997)
- Felipe Padilla de León (National Artist for Music, 1997)
- Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (National Artist for Theater, 1997)
- Néstor Vicente Madali “N.V.M.” Gonzalez (National Artist for Literature, 1997)
- Levi Celério Cruz (National Artist for Music, 1997)
- Andrea Ofilada-Veneración (National Artist for Music, 1999)
- Edith López-Tiempo (National Artist for Literature, 1999)
- Daisy Hontiveros-Avellana (National Artist for Theater, 1999)
- Ishmael Bernál (National Artist for Film and Cinema, 2001)
- Severino Montano (National Artist for Theater, 2001)
- José T. Joya (National Artist for Visual Arts – Painting, 2003)
- Virgilio S. Almario (National Artist for Literature, 2003)
- Benedicto “BenCab” Reyes Cabrera (National Artist for Visual Arts – Painting, 2006)
- Abdulmari Asia Imao (National Artist for Visual Arts – Sculpture, 2006)
- Ramon A. Obusan (National Artist for Dance, 2006)
- Federico Aguilar Alcuáz (National Artist for Visual Arts – Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media, 2009)
- Jose “Pitoy” Moreno (National Artist for Fashion Design, 2009-2013)
- Francisco E. Feliciano (National Artist for Music, 2014)
- Ramón P. Santos (National Artist for Music, 2014)
- Raymundo “Ryan” Cayabyab (National Artist for Music, 2018)
- Resil B. Mojares (National Artist for Literature, 2018)
- Amelia “Amel” Lapeña-Bonifacio (National Artist for Theater, 2018)
- Lauro Zarate “Larry” Alcala (National Artist for Visual Arts, 2018)
- Eric Oteyza “Kidlat Tahimik” De Guia (National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, 2018)
- Agnes D. Locsin (National Artist for Dance, 2022)
- Fides Cuyugan-Asensio (National Artist for Music, 2022)
- Ricardo “Ricky” Lee (National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, 2022)
- Gemino Abad (National Artist for Literature, 2022)
- Antonio “Tony” O. Mabesa (National Artist for Theater, 2022)
The rank and title of National Artist is given by means of a Presidential Proclamation to a renowned Filipino artist to recognize their significant contributions in Philippine arts.