National Artist for Theater and Design, Salvador “Badong” O. Bernal passes away

The following was shared with us by Ms. Vicky D. Belarmino, on Facebook regarding the passing away of National Artist for Theater and Design, Salvador "Badong" O. Bernal. The post is embedded below by the Diliman Diary:

"Dear Friends,

It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our National Artist for Theater and Design, Salvador “Badong” O. Bernal. Badong was not only a great artist – he was also a dear friend to many of us here at the CCP. He was the pioneering head of the CCP’s Production Design Center. A great designer , he forged paths for younger artists to follow. As an administrator, he helped in the formation of the Philippine Association of Theater Designers and Technicians. He never stinted in sharing his knowledge and was the mentor of many of today’s outstanding young stage designers. Badong will be sorely missed.

Details of his interment will follow soon."

Salvador Bernal was one of the most creative production designers in the history of theater and film very sensitive to budget limitations of local productions, he used inexpensive local materials, pioneering or maximizing the use of bamboo, raw abaca, and abaca fiber, hemp twine, rattan chain links and gauze cacha. In 1995 he organized the PATDAT (Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians) and by way of Philippine Center of OISTAT (Organization Internationale des Scenographes, Techniciens et Architectes du Theatre), he has introduced Philippine theater design to the world. He was named as national artist for theater design in 2003.