PBBM honors cultural icons: You live on in every artist, child

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales (from left), ‘Superstar’ and National Artist for Film Nora Aunor; Queen of Philippine Cinema Gloria Romero and internationally acclaimed chef and restaurateur Margarita Fores (Facebook photos via PNA)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. paid tribute to four iconic Filipino women who he said shaped the country’s soul through art, music, film and food, as he posthumously conferred them the Presidential Medal of Merit for their lasting contributions to Philippine culture.

In a solemn ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Sunday, Marcos honored National Artist for Film and Broadcast Nora Aunor, music legend Pilita Corrales, film icon Gloria Romero, and internationally acclaimed chef Margarita Fores, calling them “undeniably icons” who gave voice and identity to the Filipino spirit.

“To Gloria, to Margarita, to Pilita, to Nora—it seems very little but the best we can do, maraming, maraming salamat po (Thank you very, very much),” Marcos said in a personal address.

“You live on in every artist who takes the risk, in every child who has fond dreams, and every citizen who wishes to let the world know what it means to be a Filipino,” he added.

In his remarks, Marcos said the awardees’ legacy lies not only in the accolades they earned but in how they used their talent to shape the country’s collective identity.

“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,” he said.

“They are women who spent their lives sharing their gifts and deepening how we understand ourselves through their respective disciplines.”

The ceremony took place just days after the burial of Aunor, the country’s “Superstar,” at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on April 22 — a date declared by the President as a National Day of Mourning.

Aunor, who built a celebrated career in both music and cinema, was remembered for her powerful portrayals of the Filipino experience.
Corrales, known as “Asia’s Queen of Songs,” recorded over 135 albums in multiple languages before passing on April 12 at age 87.

Romero, hailed as the “Queen of Philippine Cinema,” was remembered for a seven-decade acting career that defined generations of film and television. She died on Jan. 25.

Fores, an influential figure in modern Filipino cuisine and Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016, passed away on Feb.

11 after gaining global recognition for elevating Filipino food on the world stage.

“This accolade is conferred upon them because they have made our national consciousness more visible and to be felt worldwide,” Marcos said.

“Ang kanilang sining at likha ay hindi lamang naging aliwan ng ating mga kababayan, bagkus naging salamin ng kasaysayan ng bansa, ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.

Established through Executive Order No. 236 (2003), the Presidential Medal of Merit is among the highest civilian honors granted to individuals whose work significantly contributes to national development and cultural identity.

Marcos also thanked the families of the awardees for allowing the nation to be part of their legacies.

“What they contributed to the country cannot even, even be realized, and certainly cannot be paid back, but we will remember and we will pass it on,” he said.

He reminded Filipinos that art and culture are not just echoes of the past but vital elements of the national identity that continue to inspire the future.