President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit to four iconic Filipinas: Nora Aunor, Gloria Romero, Pilita Corrales, and Margarita Fores.
In a ceremony held at Malacañang on Sunday, May 4, the President reflected on his personal memories of each of the recipients, calling them “icons” whose talents came from the core of their Filipino identity.
“To Gloria, to Margarita, to Pilita, to Nora—maraming, maraming salamat po. You live on in every artist, every dreamer, and every citizen who wishes to show what it means to be a Filipino,” Marcos said.
He fondly recalled Gloria Romero’s portrayal of his mother in Iginuhit ng Tadhana, praised Pilita Corrales’ voice that “cradled people across continents,” and remembered Nora Aunor’s unique connection with audiences.
Of chef Margarita Fores, Marcos said: “She gave us something beautiful and something we could call our own.”
Family members accepted the awards on their behalf.
“What they contributed cannot be paid back. But we will remember and pass it on,” Marcos said.
The award, one of the country’s highest civilian honors, is given to individuals who bring prestige to the Philippines through achievements in the arts, sciences, and other fields.
