Birth anniversary of National Artist Atang de la Rama – January 11, 2025

History of Birth anniversary of National Artist Atang de la Rama

Rama was born Honorata de la Rama-Hernandez in Pandacan, Manila on January 11, 1902. As at the time when she was seven, she was already starring in Spanish sarzuelas’ such as “Mascota,” Sueño de un Vals,” and “Marina.” At the age of 15, she starred in the the Philippine sarsuela “Dalagang Bukid,” and she became known for singing the song, ‘Nabasag na Banga.’

In her quest for cultural sovereignty fought for the dominance of the ‘Kundiman,’ an important Philippine folk song, as well as the “Sarsuela,” which is a musical play focusing on contemporary Filipino issues. She did all of this during the American occupation of the Philippines. Generations of Filipino artists and audiences consider Rama’s vocal and acting talents as being responsible for much of the success of original Filipino sarsuelas like “Dalagang Bukid” and dramas like “Veronidia.”
Rama worked as a talent manager, writer, and producer of plays. She created plays like “Anak ni Eva” and “Bulaklak ng Kabundukan,” among others. In 1979, at the age of 72, she was recognized as the Queen of the Kundiman and the Sarsuela in honor of her accomplishments and contributions to the Philippine art form. “For her sincere devotion to original Filipino theater and music, her outstanding artistry as a singer, and as a sarsuela actress-playwright-producer, her tireless efforts to bring her art to all sectors of Filipino society and the world,” reads the statement in which Rama was named a ‘National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Music’ on May 8, 1987.