Agnes Locsin declared as National Artist for Dance

Photo by NCCA (left), Agnes Locsin Facebook (right)
Photo by NCCA (left), Agnes Locsin Facebook (right)

DABAWENYA choreographer Agnes Locsin, known for pioneering neo-ethnic dance, was conferred the National Artist for Dance on Friday, June 10.

President Rodrigo Duterte through Proclamation 1390 on Friday, upon joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), officially announced eight new National Artists.

Aside from Locsin, other National Artists are Salvacion Lim-Higgins for Design (Fashion); Nora Villamayor or Nora Aunor, screenwriter Ricardo “Ricky” Lee and the late filmmaker Marilou Diaz-Abaya for Film and Broadcast Arts, Gemino Abad for Literature, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio for Music, and the late actor Antonio “Tony” Mabesa for Theater.

The Order of National Artist, established under Proclamation no. 1001 signed in 1972, is the highest national recognition conferred upon Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to the development of the Philippine arts and culture.

Locsin gained international attention for her breathtaking neo-ethnic dance choreography. Among her award-winning works are the La Revolucion (1996) and the groundbreaking Igorot (1987).

She also received prestigious awards including the Gawad CCP Award Para sa Sining in 2013, Alfonzo T. Ongpin Prize for Best Book on Arts for her book Neo-ethnic Choreography: A Creative Process and the Gador Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Locsin is the daughter of Carmen Dakudao Locsin, who founded the Locsin Dance Workshop in Davao City where she later became its Artistic Director after finishing her Masters of Arts at Ohio State University in the United States.

She also served as faculty of the University of the Philippines Dance Program and served as the artistic director of the Ballet Philippines in the Cultural Center of the Philippines from 1989 to 1999. Locsin received the city’s Datu Bago award for her contributions to dance and culture.

Locsin is known for her choreography, which includes immersing in indigenous communities where she interacts and learns about their culture and tradition through dance.

Her alma mater Ateneo de Davao University, where she finished her degree in AB English, has nominated her on December 1, 2020, to recognize her works that enrich cultural awareness through dance and choreography.

The 19th Davao City Council, in January 2021, passed a resolution supporting Addu's nomination.

“The recognition of Ms. Locsin’s work as an artist in the field of dance has constantly streamed along with a growing interest in neo-ethnic style among young artists. In fact, throughout her stellar career, she has received multiple awards from various regional and national organizations,” Councilor Antoinette Principe-Castrodes, who pushed for the resolution, said.

The councilor added, “The impact she has made in the artistic field as well as in the socio-cultural development of the indigenous peoples are remarkable and true marks of a national artist.”

Locsin has not issued any formal statement regarding her award as of Sunday.

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