Even as the pandemic continued, the arts community mourned the loss of many beloved and influential individuals in 2021, including National Artists, national cultural treasures and those who were gone too soon. Here are some of those we lost this past year.

Arielle Agasang, 51—A fashion designer who brought haute couture mentality to traditional Filipiniana, he dressed many celebrities locally and abroad.

Sr. Fidelis Atienza, RGS, 102—She created the ube jam of the Religious of the Good Shepherd, a trademark pasalubong from Baguio; she passed after more than six decades in the order.

Zeneida Quezon Avanceña, 100—Youngest daughter of wartime President Manuel L. Quezon, she was an indefatigable civil society leader who often joined protests for human rights.

Carmen “Baby” Barredo, 80—A pillar of Philippine theater who, together with the late Zeneida Amador, founded Repertory Philippines in 1967.

Heber Bartolome, 73—Folk singer and songwriter, best known as the leader of the protest band Banyuhay and for his 1978 nationalist song “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy.”

Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, 88—Jesuit priest, teacher and a leading constitutionalist, part of commission that drafted the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Naty Crame-Rogers, 98—Acclaimed actress and teacher known for her work with respected directors, notably her only film role, as Paula in director Lamberto Avellana’s film adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.”

Leonilo “Neil” Doloricon, 63—Renowned printmaker who put protest first, and was a former dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Fine Arts.

Yabing “Fu Yabing” Masalon Dulo, 106—A weaver who kept the B’laan tradition of ikat weaving and dyeing alive. She was named a National Cultural Treasure or a Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2016.

Jose Jaime “Nonoy” Espina, 59—A lifelong advocate of the rights of journalists and other media workers. He had long served as the president of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines and could always be found on the front line when it came to defending the right to free speech.

Ben Farrales, 88—Acclaimed fashion designer known for both his unabashed, flamboyant fusion of Muslim aesthetics and ballgowns. Known fondly as “Mang Ben,” he was also dubbed the “Dean of Philippine Fashion” and received the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining from the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Fr. Roque Ferriols, SJ—Pioneering philosopher, author and unforgettable teacher at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Romeo Gacad, 62—Veteran international photojournalist often embedded in war zones, and was both nominated and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize several times.

Wally Gonzalez, 71—Guitarist of the seminal Pinoy rock group Juan de la Cruz Band as well as a singer/songwriter in his own right.

Raymund Isaac, 59—Perhaps the most prominent celebrity photographer, having shot many of the biggest stars. He passed away from COVID-19 in San Francisco, California.

Bree Jonson, 30—A young painter known for her wildlife scenes whose career and life were cut tragically short in a suspicious incident in a La Union hotel that continues to be under investigation.

Domingo “Domeng” G. Landicho, 81—Filipino writer, scholar and teacher at UP best known for his novel, “Bulaklak ng Maynila,” which was later adapted into a film.

Celia Diaz Laurel, 93—Consummate stage professional, working in many plays as an actress, particularly for Repertory Philippines, but also on the creative side as a costume and set designer. She was a devoted patroness of the arts and wife of the late Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel.

Ricardo “Ricky” Lo, 71—Veteran entertainment writer and TV host who helped define the current coverage of local show biz.

Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez, 70—Pioneering human rights advocate and psychiatrist, a Ten Outstanding Women in the Nations Service awardee and a member of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights against torture. She was also a main proponent of the Mental Health Bill.

Bienvenido L. Lumbera, 89—National Artist for Literature in 2006 for a body of work that includes important criticism and literature. He was professor emeritus at UP and a 1993 Ramon Magsaysay awardee for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts. He was a firebrand champion for the Filipino language and the Filipino people. A former martial law detainee, he could often be found in the streets joining demonstrations.

Criselda Lontok, 81—A much-loved fashion designer who had her own eponymous collection from Rustan’s and worked for the retailer for over four decades. She redefined ready-to-wear pieces for Manila’s well-heeled women.

Arturo Luz, 95—Named a National Artist for Visual Arts in 1997 for his diverse body of work in different media predicated on the Neo-Realist school. He was also a dedicated organizer, serving as the first director of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and the owner of the influential Luz Gallery.

Mario I. Miclat, 71—Respected writer and former dean of the UP Asian Center. Together with his wife Alma, he lived in exile in Beijing for 15 years before returning to the Philippines in 1986 after the Edsa revolution. He finished three books during the pandemic before his death from a stroke in April.

Recto Mercene, 77—A photojournalist best known for his images of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino’s assassination at the Manila International Airport in 1985.

Virginia “Virgie” R. Moreno, 98—A poet best known for her award-winning collection “Batik-Maker and Other Poems,” dubbed “Empress Dowager of Philippine Poetry” by National Artist for Literature Jose Garcia Villa. She was also a playwright and a mentor to many artists.

Leticia Olalia-Hizon, 84—An entrepreneur best known as founder of Pampanga’s Best. She was a teacher in Pampanga and decided to start selling her tocino (sweetened pork). It proved extremely successful and led to an entire line of meat products.

Santiago “Jak” Albano Pilar, 75—Art historian and author who chronicled 19th- and 20th-century Philippine art, particularly with his definitive work on Juan Luna and Isabelo Tampinco.

Pablo “Abi” Baens Santos, 78—Social realist painter best known for his striking protest murals.

Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., 100—Cofounded the Rustan Group of Companies, launching a retail conquest of the country continued today by his children and grandchildren. He had served as ambassador to the Vatican. The Rustan’s stores became synonymous with luxury and its Store Specialists Inc. (SSI). SSI Group has brought in brands from Armani Exchange to Zara.

Kerima Lorena Tariman, 42—Poet and underground fighter killed in an encounter with security forces in Negros Occidental.

Nestor U. Torre Jr., 78—Longtime editor of the Inquirer’s Entertainment section. Fondly signing off as “NUT,” he was also a prolific writer of columns, plays and scripts. He loved working in theater and shepherded many plays as director.

Emmanuel “Eric” S. Torres, 89—Prolific poet, English professor, Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee for Literature, and respected critic and founding director of the Ateneo Art Gallery. INQ