Following years of being nominated, multi-awarded Filipino actress Nora Aunor was finally declared one of the new National Artists for 2022.
Aunor, whose real name is Nora Villamayor, is the recipient of the prestigious honor for film and broadcast arts, along with screenwriter-novelist Ricardo "Ricky" Lee, and the late movie director Marilou Diaz Abaya.
Other awardees were Agnes Locsin for Dance, Salvacion Lim-Higgins for Design (Fashion), Gemino Abad for Literature, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio for Music, and Antonio “Tony” Mabesa for Theater.
On June 10, Malacanang Palace, upon the joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), officially announced the eight new National Artists by virtue of Proclamation no. 1390.
The Order of National Artist, established under Proclamation no. 1001 signed in 1972, is the highest national recognition conferred upon Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to the development of the Philippine arts and culture.
Aunor thanked Duterte for bestowing her the National Artist recognition. Her full message:
"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."