PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will bestow the Presidential Medal of Merit posthumously on the late actors Nora Aunor and Gloria Romero, singer Pilita Corales, and chef Margarita Fores in recognition of their contributions to the entertainment and culinary industries.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a message to media, said this will be held on May 4 in ceremonies in Malacanang.
The Presidential Medal of Merit is conferred upon an individual, Filipino or foreign, for outstanding service and gaining prestige for the country in an international event or in the fields of literature, the sciences, the arts, entertainment, and other civilian fields of endeavor that foster national pride and artistic excellence.
It is also awarded to individuals who are retiring cultural workers or artists after serving the government in an official or advisory capacity, or a foreign artist who has promoted Philippine culture.
Aunor, widely acknowledged as the “Superstar” of the Philippine entertainment industry, is a National Artist for film and broadcast arts who passed away last April 16 and was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on April 22.
Corrales, who is known as “Asia’s Queen of Songs,” passed away last April 12.
Romero, a veteran actor who has won multiple acting awards during her more than 70-year career, passed away on January 25.
Fores, who died in February, is a restaurateur and chef who was behind Cibo, Lusso, and Grace Park.
She was named as Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016 and was posthumously recognized by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for her contributions to the culinary community.
