PRESS RELEASE
February 21, 2019 
THE Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will pay tribute to the late National Artist for Architecture Francisco “Bobby” T. Mañosa through a state necrological ceremony, “Pagdadalamhati ng Bayan Para Kay Francisco Mañosa,” on February 24, 2019, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
The Arrival Honors, led by the Philippine Navy, will start at 8:30am at the CCP Front Lawn, followed by a procession at the Ramp. The Necrological Rites will follow promptly at 9am. Fellow National Artists will pay homage to Mañosa, who had made significant contributions to Philippine Architecture.
For more than 60 years of his career, Bobby Mañosa championed Filipino architecture. From his landmark design of the Sulo Hotel in 1960s until his retirement in 2015, he had passionately created original Filipino forms and spaces with intricate and refined details anchored on Filipino sensibilities.
He strongly believed that Philippine Architecture must be “true to itself, its land and its people.” He intensively studied, mastered and interpreted the untapped DNA of Philippine architecture, especially the Bahay Kubo and Bahay na Bato. He also explored the use of indigenous materials such bamboo, coconut, rattan and capiz, among others for architectural finishes, furniture and furnishings.
Intuitively, he pioneered sustainable architecture – way before this environmental design movement broke ground in the Philippines. He conceptualized the “edible garden” – a design where plants surround the external walls of the structures. This is quite evident in the San Miguel Building – one of his major works – with its rice terrace–like green balconies (akin to Banaue Rice Terraces and “tukod” (inwardly slanting windows seen in Bahay Kubo).
National Artist Mañosa, who was known as the “Father of Philippine Neo-vernacular Architecture,” passed away at age 88 on February 20, 2019 due to lingering illness. He was survived by his wife Denise and children Bambi, Dino and Gelo.
His interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will happen between late morning and high noon, right after the necrological services at the CCP.
The necrological service is open to the public.
