MANILA, Philippines – Offering a breather from the doldrums of politics and high prices of commodities, a lawmaker on Monday offered some “feel good” news by proposing to make actress Nora Aunor a National Artist.
Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. said the multi-awarded actress, a talent of TV5, is a “national treasure” and that her achievements and contributions to the Philippine movie industry are more than enough to qualify her for the prestigious title.
“The Filipino people are now entangled in so many public issues like the seemingly uncontrollable rise of prices of fuel and commodities but we should not lose hope. There are a lot of things going for our country and the enshrinement of Ms. Nora Aunor as a National Artist is a sure feel- good thing that the Filipinos can hold on to,” Golez said in the explanatory note of his House Resolution 2317.
Its wording goes thus: “A Resolution urging his excellency President Benigno Aquino III, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to confer to Nora Aunor the honor of being named as a National Artist of the Philippines for her immense contribution to Philippine Arts.”
According to Golez, the actress enjoys broad acceptance and recognition by her peers and critics and by the Filipino people. She has received local and international recognition for her acting, and her works form an important part of Philippine culture.
The lawmaker added that Aunor “has brought not only entertainment but also inspiration to the entire Philippine nation.”
A few months back, she starred in the lead role in the TV5 telenovela “Sa Ngalan ng Ina,” and has a five-year contract with the Kapatid network.
For her acclaimed talent in singing and acting, the diminutive Aunor was christened Superstar by her fans.
Born Maria Leonora Teresa Cabaltera Aunor, the actress, who is also popularly called Ate Guy, started her career at 12 years old by joining amateur singing contests.
Winning one contest after the other, she was soon given a break in the movies and has proven her worth, eventually starring in award-winning hits like Himala, Paru-Parong Itim, Dalawang Mukha ng Tagumpay, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, to name a few.
She received numerous Best Actress awards for her performances and was named one of the 10 Best Asian Actresses of the Decade in 2010.
To qualify as a National Artist, the following guidelines are followed: 1) Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country; 2) Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote creative expression as significant to the development of a national cultural identity; and 3) Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their works to forge new paths and directions for future generations of Filipino artists.
The National Artist award is given by the President of the Philippines and is screened or recommended by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
