On Sunday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. posthumously conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit on four esteemed Filipina icons—Pilita Corrales, Margarita Fores, Gloria Romero, and Nora Aunor—in recognition of their significant contributions to their respective fields.
In his speech, Marcos described the honorees as “undeniably icons,” emphasizing that the true essence of their art and performances stemmed from the core of their Filipino 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 Filipino. They are women who spent their lives sharing their gifts, deepening how we understand ourselves through their respective disciplines," said Marcos.
"Ang kanilang sining at likha ay hindi lamang naging aliwan ng ating mga kababayan, bagkus naging salamin ng kasaysayan ng bansa [at] ng bawat Pilipino," he added.
He further noted that the four awardees have redefined the meaning of excellence, adding that the honor was bestowed upon them for making the Filipino national consciousness more visible and resonant on the global stage.
The families of the late icons were present at the ceremony to receive the awards on their behalf.
Dubbed “Asia’s Queen of Songs,” singer and actress Pilita Corrales left a lasting mark on Original Pilipino Music (OPM) with iconic hits such as “A Million Thanks to You” and “Kapantay ay Langit.” She passed away on April 12 at the age of 87.
A trailblazer in Philippine cuisine, Margarita Forés earned the title of Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016. She founded several celebrated restaurants, including CIBO, Grace Park, and Lusso. She passed away on February 11 at 65.
Moreover, award-winning actress Gloria Romero, hailed as the “Queen of Philippine Cinema,” was known for her memorable performances in films such as Magnifico, Dalagang Ilocana, and Tanging Yaman. She passed away on January 25 at the age of 91.
The Philippines’ “Superstar” and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora Aunor, made a lasting impact through her powerful roles in classics like Himala and T-Bird at Ako. She died on April 16 at 71.
"These women — they illuminated our consciousness. They taught us who we are and who we could become," President Marcos stated.
"So, to the families of the awardees: Thank you for sharing them with us. 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 added.
Established under Executive Order No. 236 in 2003, the Presidential Medal of Merit is one of the highest civilian honors awarded by the President of the Philippines, given to individuals whose work has significantly contributed to nation-building.
