FAMAS Prestige Award National Treasure for Visual Arts

On March 30, 2025, Dr. Aladin S. Antiqueño, the Father of Composed Photorealism, has been conferred the prestigious title of National Treasure for Visual Arts by the FAMAS Prestige Awards, marking a rare and powerful recognition for a fine artist in a domain often reserved for film and performance.

For over three decades, Dr. Antiqueño has quietly shaped the country’s visual arts landscape—not only through his masterfully detailed works that depict Filipino life, but through his role as a mentor, educator, and inspiration to thousands of young artists across the nation. His journey is not one of noise, but of nuance. Not of spectacle, but of substance.

The FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences), the Philippines’ oldest cultural award-giving body, has traditionally honored icons in film, theater, and media. This year, they broke tradition to shine a spotlight on visual arts—bestowing upon Dr. Antiqueño a title reserved for those whose contributions transcend craft and enter the realm of national heritage.

“This honor is not merely a recognition of my work, but of the soul of the Filipino people expressed through every brushstroke,” Dr. Antiqueño humbly shared during the awarding ceremony.

It is the first time in FAMAS history that this prestigious honor has been awarded to a visual artist, sending a strong message that the arts—in all their forms—deserve the same reverence as cinema, literature, and music.