Gloria Romero, Margarita Fores, Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor honored with Medal of Merit

Four icons were honored posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Merit on Sunday for their contributions to Philippine art and culture.

They are National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts and Superstar Nora Aunor; Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales; UN Tourism Ambassador for gastronomy and 2016 Asia’s best female chef Margarita Fores; and Queen of Cinema Gloria Romero.

“We are here to honor four outstanding individuals who, though they have passed from our world, continue to shape our art, our cinema, our music, and our culinary landscape,” President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said at the event held in Malacañang.

“They are undeniably icons. But more importantly, we can see that the true quality of their art, of their performances came from the core of them being Filipinos. They are women who spent their lives sharing their gifts and deepening how we understand ourselves through their respective disciplines,” he added.

Under Executive Order No. 236 in 2003, the Presidential Medal of Merit is given to the following individuals:

• for outstanding service to the President, the Administration or cabinet member
• for gaining prestige for the country in an international event
• who is a retiring cultural worker or artist
• for acts of merit that enhance the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines

"Ang kanilang sining at likha ay hindi lamang naging aliwan ng ating mga kababayan, bagkus naging salamin ng kasaysayan ng bansa, ng bawat Pilipino," Marcos said, thanking the awardees’ families.

(Their art and creations have not only been an entertainment for our countrymen, but have also become a reflection of the history of the country, of every Filipino.)

All four passed away this year: Gloria Romero on January 25; Margarita Fores on February 11; Pilita Corrales on April 12; and Nora Aunor on April 16.

Aunor, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, died of acute respiratory failure. She was 71 years old.

Among her famous films are “Himala,” "T-Bird at Ako," and “Bulaklak sa City Jail.” She alsi known for her songs “Handog” and “Ikaw ang Superstar.”

Corrales passed away at 87 on April 13. 

She first rose to fame in Australia with her hit "Come Closer to Me" and conquered the Philippine music industry with hits like "A Million Thanks to You."

Meanwhile, Fores was a brilliant restaurateur and chef behind Cibo, Lusso, and Grace Park, to name a few. She passed away at 65 years old.

Romero won multiple acting awards during her more than 70-year career. 

She was recognized for her outstanding performances in films "Magnifico," "Dalagang Ilocana," "Tarima," "Tanging Yaman,'' and ''Rainbow's Sunset.'' She passed away at 91 years old.

Bittersweet

Actress Jackie Lou Blanco, daughter of Pilita Corrales, said honoring her mother is a “bittersweet” moment for her and their family.

“But it gives us comfort because we know na hindi nasayang na alam mong narecognize yung mga ginawa niya hindi lang para sa amin kung di para sa lahat, para buong mundo, para buong Pilipinas. Alam mo na meron siyang nagawa enough for her to be recognized this way,” Blanco said.

(But it gives us comfort because we know she was recognized not only for effort to us but to everyone, the whole world and Philippines. We know she has done enough to be recognized.)

She described her mother as an artist who was “giving and very generous with her talent.”

“She paved the way for so many artists to make it not only locally but also internationally. She opened the doors for many many singers,” Blanco told the media.

“So I think that is how I want my mom to be remembered, as an excellent performer and as very gracious person na hindi naging madamot sa pagbigay ng talento niya [who was generous in sharing her talent],” she added. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News