At 77 years of age, Imelda Cajipe Endaya has become the first woman to receive the prestigious Order of National Artists of the Philippines for Visual Arts. This accolade, established in 1972, is the country's highest national recognition for contributions to Philippine art. Endaya's work transcends her decades-long commitment to feminist and socially engaged art, addressing issues such as gender and labor inequality and cultural identity.

Since the 1970s, Endaya has been a driving force in the art world with her social realist paintings, printmaking, and installations. Her 2022 retrospective at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, titled 'Pagtutol at Pag-asa (Refusal and Hope),' cemented her legacy in Philippine art. Her work is held in numerous prestigious collections, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the National Gallery of Singapore.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Endaya is a writer, curator, organizer, and informal educator. She has significantly contributed to the feminist art movement in the Philippines through her involvement in the collective of women artists Kasibulan and Pananaw: Philippine Journal of Visual Arts.

Endaya's gratitude for the award reflects her hope for a future with more successful women artists. This recognition not only celebrates her life's work but also opens new pathways for female artists in the Philippines.