The Philippines has trailblazed in recognizing its artists who have championed its culture, heritage, and tradition. Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972, signed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, aims to give the highest distinction to Filipino Artists who have exemplarily promoted the identity of the country with utmost dignity and integrity. The National Artist Award covers the areas of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, literature, film and media, arts, architecture, and design. Over time, the preservation of the arts has been perfected by law, awareness of the people, and advancement of technology. However, the field of architecture has become a challenge due to its cost and ownership of the structures. To date, there are six National Artists in Architecture, namely Juan F. Nakpil, Pablo S. Antonio, Leandro V. Locsin, Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr., Jose Maria V. Zaragoza, and Francisco T. Mañosa, who have all passed away. This study aims to document the works of these National Artists and identify the buildings that are still in physical existence, as a means of providing clearer public perception, which in turn can contribute to the protection and preservation of their legacy. Descriptive and archival methodologies were utilized. It is notable that some of the structures that were created by these prominent architects have since been demolished. The purview of the research takes into consideration the laws that protect the heritage of the country. Investigative findings revealed that demolitions of such heritage architecture can sometimes be inevitable because there are contributing factors, like economic, lifespan, and urbanization, to name a few. Despite this predicament, intervention is still viable . Technology, specifically digitalization or Virtual Reality, is a key channel so that the next generation will still be able to appreciate, enjoy, and comprehend the works of the National Artists, even those not existing in the physical world anymore.
