Isabelle Daza longs to see culinary icon grandma honoured as National Artist

Isabelle Daza (Facebook photo0

Isabelle Daza, actress-athlete daughter of Miss Universe ’69 Gloria Diaz and former Makati Councilor Bong Daza, has expressed her desire for her grandmother, culinary legend Nora Villanueva Daza, to be conferred the award of National Artist for Culinary Arts.

In a recent interview with reporters from Bulletin Entertainment, Isabelle said: “I know, wala pang National Artist in this category, and it may take a long time before this is added to the current categories, but we in the family are willing to wait. My grandmother, as the first Filipino culinary icon, is deserving to be a National Artist. I want her to be remembered for her culinary legacy.”

Nora Daza, who passed away in 2013, was a culinary icon, veteran gourmet chef, restaurateur, socio-civic leader, television host, columnist and cookbook author. In her lifetime, she served as Vice President of the Philippine Association of Nutrition, Secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, Adviser-Admiral of the Homemakers Club, Director of Hotel and Tourist Industries of the Philippines, and President of Philippine Home Economists in Business

She held diplomas from the University of the Philippines, and from Cornell University, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Restaurant and Institution Management.

Isabelle enjoyed a close relationship with her grandmother, who she credits as a “great and positive person” who “always brought a smile” to her face, taught her how to cook and speak French.

The actress currently appears on three TV shows on GMA Network: “Eat Bulaga,” “Niño,” and “Tastes Buds,” with long-time friend Solenn Heusaff.

She also stars in Regal Entertainment’s currently showing film “Somebody to Love” alongside Carla Abellana, Matteo Guidecilli and Iza Calzado. Isabelle is slated to appear in three other upcoming movies: “Mara,” “Kubot” and the sequel to “Aswang Chronicles.”