Veteran actress Nora Aunor was named National Artist for Film, along with seven others, on Friday.
In a statement, the award-winning actress expressed her joy and thanked President Duterte for the honor.
“Wala pa akong maisip na sasabihin ko sa ngayon dahil sa labis na kasiyahan sa aking puso at para po sa ating lahat.
“Sa mga taong nanalangin po at nakipaglaban hanggang sa huli para maibigay sa akin ang kanilang pinangarap na ako’y mahirang na isang National Artist for Film.
“Higit po sa lahat, walang katapusang pasasalamat sa ating Panginoon, sa MAMA at PAPA ko, sa aking pamilya at mga anak, lalo na sa mga pinakamamahal kong mga fans at mga taong nasa tabi ko sa oras na kailangan ko sila mula noon hanggang ngayon.
“Maraming salamat po sa ating mahal na Pangulo na si President Rodrigo Duterte at mga taong nasa likod ng napakataas na karangalang ito.”
The National Artist award had eluded Aunor twice; in 2014 and 2018. Aside from being known as the country’s “Superstar,” the 69-year-old actress has been dubbed as the “People’s National Artist.”
Malacañang has named seven others to the Order of National Artists: the late stage director and actor Tony Mabesa (Theater), the late director Marilou Diaz Abaya (Film and Broadcast), Fides Cuyugan-Asensio (Music), screenwriter Ricky Lee and Gemino Abad (Literature), Salvacion Lim Higgins (Fashion), and Agnes Locsin (Dance).
