National Artist for Architecture series: Jose Maria Zaragoza

Recently, President Aquino named Jose Maria Velez Zaragoza a National Artist for Architecture. Although awarded posthumously, Filipinos discovered that here was a distinguished and devoted Catholic architect who not only designed churches but also other landmarks such as the then Lopez-owned Meralco Building along Ortigas Ave.

MALACANAN PALACE 

MANILA 

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES 

PROCLAMATION N0.812 

DECLARING JOSE MARIA V. ZARAGOZA (POSTHUMOUS) AS NATIONAL ARTIST 

FOR ARCHITECTURE 

WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines provides for patronage of arts and letters by the State; 

WHEREAS, the Order of National Artists Award was established under Proclamation No. 1001 (s. 1972) to give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters;

WHEREAS, the Order of National Artists Award is jointly administered by the 

National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, 

acting as the Order of National Artists Award Secretariat, by virtue of Proclamation No. 

1144 (s. 1973) and Republic Act No. 7356 or the "Law Creating the National 

Commission for Culture and the Arts"; and 

WHEREAS, the secular and religious works and achievements of Jose Maria V. 

Zaragoza, demonstrate his typological versatility and mastery of the modernist 

architectural vocabulary. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, 

by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, upon the 

joint recommendation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National 

Commission for Culture and the Arts, do hereby declare Jose Maria V. Zaragoza as 

National Artist, with the privileges and emoluments attached thereto. 

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 20th day of June in the year of Our Lord, 

Two Thousand and Fourteen

Posted in: Architecture,HOA,TOA