Birth anniversary of National Artist Atang de la Rama (Philippines): All you need to know

Atang de la Rama, whose birthdate is January 11, was a Filipina singer and bodabil performer who embodied a substantial portion of the popular culture history of the Filipino people.

Birth anniversary of National Artist Atang de la Rama: On January 11, the Birth Anniversary of National Artist Atang de la Rama is observed. Atang de la Rama, whose birthdate is January 11, was a Filipina singer and bodabil performer who embodied a substantial portion of the popular culture history of the Filipino people. She began her entertainment career as a teenager and continued to dominate the profession throughout her adult years until her retirement later in life. As the very first Filipina actress, she was a cultural icon in the Philippines. A staunch believer that art should be accessible to all, she performed in Manila’s major theatres as well as some unusual venues such as aeroplane cockpits. She was Amado V. Hernandez’s wife.

HISTORY OF BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL ARTIST ATANG DE LA RAMA

Honorata de la Rama-Hernandez was born on January 11, 1902 in Pandacan, Manila. As early as the age of seven, she starred in Spanish sarzuelas like as “Mascota,” “Sueno de un Vals,” and “Marina.” At age 15, she starred in the Philippine sarsuela “Dalagang Bukid” and became well-known for her rendition of “Nabasag na Banga.”

In her pursuit of cultural sovereignty, she battled for the domination of the ‘Kundiman,’ a significant Philippine folk song, and the ‘Sarsuela,’ a musical play addressing modern Filipino themes. All of this was accomplished during the American occupation of the Philippines. Generations of Filipino artists and audiences credit Rama’s singing and acting abilities for the success of original Filipino sarsuelas such as “Dalagang Bukid” and dramas such as “Veronidia.”

Rama served as a talent manager, playwright, and producer. She created plays like “Anak ni Eva” and “Bulaklak ng Kabundukan,” among others. She was named the Queen of the Kundiman and the Sarsuela in 1979, at the age of 72, in recognition of her achievements and contributions to the Philippine art form. “For her sincere devotion to original Filipino theatre and music, her outstanding artistry as a singer, and as a sarsuela actress-playwright-producer, and her tireless efforts to bring her art to all sectors of Filipino society and the world,” reads the statement accompanying Rama’s designation as a “National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Music” on May 8, 1987.