A prominent fashion designer, two award-winning film directors, a literary giant, a theater pioneer, an architect and a painter have been conferred the coveted titles of National Artist by President Arroyo in recognition of their contributions in the field of arts, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the list of the latest inductees into the Order of National Artist Award is led by the late Manuel P. Urbano, a.k.a. Manuel Conde, who became popular for his satirical films which include the classic “Juan Tamad” series.

Regarded as among Asia´s finest directors in the 1950s, Urbano was posthumously bestowed the National Artist Award for Film and Broadcast Arts.

His “Genghis Khan” movie earned the admiration of the film critics of the Venice Film Festival in 1950. Aside from comedies, he also directed war movies and historical and fantasy films.

Also honored posthumously was Lazaro A. Francisco, a recipient of the "Republic Cultural Heritage Award" for Literature. He is now a National Artist for Literature.

Born in Orani, Bataan, Francisco wrote 12 novels between 1925 and 1960 that were published in the first weekly Tagalog magazine, Liwayway.

Among his Tagalog novels include Singsing na Pangkasal, Bayang Nagpatiwakal, Sa Paanan ng Krus, Ilaw sa Hilaga, Binhi at Bunga, Cesar, Sugat ng Alaala, Ama, Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig, and Daluyong.

Multi-media artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, meanwhile, was named National Artist for Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media.

Philippine Theater Institute founder Cecilia Guidote Alvarez, currently executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), was conferred the National Artist for Theater. She is married to Presidential Adviser on Climate Change and former senator Heherson Alvarez.

President Arroyo also conferred the National Artist Award for Visual Arts and Film to award-winning film director Carlo Magno J. Caparas, a former “komiks” novelist whose works he later translated into films.

Noted architect Francisco “Bobby” Manosa was named National Artist for Architecture, while Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, considered the fashion czar of Asia, was named National Artist in the field of Fashion Design.