Philippines, Republic. An Order of the National Artists of the Philippines

(Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas). Instituted in 1972. Two-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red, white and blue enamels, obverse illustrating the insignia of the Order of the National Artists, on an eight-pointed star base, reverse inscribed "ORDER OF THE NATIONAL ARTIST / Republic of the Philippines" and maker marked "A. ZAMORA & SONS" (Angel Zamora & Sons), measuring 91.8 mm (w) x 94.7 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of the National Artists of the Philippines is an order bestowed by the Philippines on Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine art. Members of the Order are known as National Artists. Originally instituted as an Award, it was elevated to the status of Order in 2003. The Order is administered by the Cultural Center of the Philippines by virtue of President Ferdinand Marcos's Proclamation № 1001 of April 2, 1972 and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The first award was posthumously conferred on Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo. The order of the highest state honor is conferred on individuals deemed as having done much for their artistic field. Deserving individuals must have been recommended by both the Cultural Center and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts prior to receiving the award. Such people are then titled, by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation, as National Artist (Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, "National Servant of the Arts Award"), and are inducted into the Order.