President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has named Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado a National Artist for Theatre, one of ten Filipinos recognised for contributions spanning literature, visual arts, architecture, dance, design, film, theatre and music.
Hilado, who died in 2015 due to brain cancer at age 77, is among four honourees conferred the title posthumously this year, alongside architect Gabriel Formoso, filmmaker Armando “Bing” Lao and writer Gregorio Brillantes.
Hilado in Philippine theatre
Born in Silay City, Negros Occidental, on 15 May 1938, Hilado studied at Ateneo de Manila University before working as a stage actor and director.
According to Sentro Rizal, he became the first technical director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (1969-1973), theatre director of the Folk Arts Theater (1973-1986), with landmark public productions including The Malinta Tunnel Experience and The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal light-and-sound show.
His lighting work extended beyond the stage to the tombs of Cardinal Jaime Sin at Manila Cathedral and President Ferdinand Marcos in Batac, as well as Makati’s Tower One and Exchange Plaza.
He received the inaugural Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in 1997.
“Teddy’s signature was his elegance. It was grand in a very quiet way. It never sought attention to itself, which is the way lighting should be,” said lighting designer Monino Duque in an interview with Rome Jorge, in a 2016 article published by the Inquirer Philippines.
Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego called him “an exceptional artist behind theater lighting and productions,” as reported by Rappler.
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Hilado in the National Artist tradition
According to Negros Occidental Historical Council chairman Solomon Locsin, as reported by Rappler, Hilado is the third National Artist from Silay, following architect Leandro Locsin (honoured in 1990) and dancer Agnes Dakudao-Locsin (recognised in 2022).
He joins a Theatre roster that includes Honorata “Atang” de la Rama (1987), Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1997), Rolando Tinio (1997), Daisy Avellana (1999), Severino Montano (2001), Salvador Bernal (2003), Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio (2018) and Tony Mabesa (2022).
Posthumous benefits
According to PhilSTAR, Hilado, as a posthumous awardee, is entitled to a cash award of PHP75,000, net of taxes, payable to his legal heirs, along with cultural commemorations and ceremonial events honouring his artistic contributions.
In 2018, the Filipino rock band The Itchyworms filmed a tribute music video inside the CCP for their song “Di Na Muli,” dedicated to Hilado and featuring his widow, former Bayanihan dancer Rosky Balahadia Hilado, dancing once more on the stage where the two first met decades earlier.
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