Duterte fetes national artists in Malacañang ceremonies

Screengrab from RTVM

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday conferred the Order of National Artist to eight individuals who have been so declared by Malacañang upon the joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

In ceremonies at Malacañang, Duterte personally presented the medals to the national artists or their representatives.

This year's Order of National Artist was awarded to Agnes Locsin (National Artist for Dance), Salvacion Lim-Higgins (deceased; National Artist for Design), Marilou Diaz-Abaya (deceased, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts), Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Lee (National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts), Nora ‘Nora Aunor’ Villamayor (National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts), Gemino Abad (National Artist for Literature), Fides Cuyugan-Asensio (National Artist for Music) and Antonio ‘Tony’ Mabesa (deceased, National Artist for Theater).

In separate rites at the Palace, Duterte also conferred the Presidential Award to several members of the Cabinet who are part of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases. 

Screengrab from RTVM

—NB, GMA News