SAGAY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Internationally acclaimed Negrense painter Nunelucio Alvarado has been nominated for the prestigious Order of National Artist in the Visual Arts category. The nomination was formally submitted by the City of Sagay, with widespread support from the local art community and government bodies.
According to Helen Arguelles-Cutillar, head of the City Information and Tourism Office, the nomination was sent to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) last Sunday. Arguelles-Cutillar expressed gratitude for the nomination and called on the community to support Alvarado during this significant phase. "It's a long way to go, but we are grateful for this milestone. Let us collectively pray for the guidance as we await the next step. Meantime, let us share about Nune's art and his communities," she stated in an interview on Monday.
Nunelucio Alvarado, aged 74, is a respected figure in the art world, particularly in Negros Occidental where he resides and continues his work despite the challenges of dementia. His artistic achievements include memberships in significant art collectives and awards such as the Thirteen Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and multiple wins at the Philip Morris Art Awards.
The artist's contributions were recently celebrated at Margaha Beach in Sagay, where a 20-foot 'Haligi' installation dedicated to visual arts was erected. This installation, adorned with paintings and sculptures, stands among six other pillars representing different artistic disciplines.
The push for Alvarado’s nomination has garnered formal resolutions of support from multiple governmental units, including the Negros Occidental Provincial Board and city councils of Sagay and Cadiz, further solidifying his standing in the cultural community. The Order of National Artist, administered jointly by the NCCA and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is the highest national honor for Filipino artists, recognizing substantial contributions to various artistic fields.