Fans and supporters of Nora Aunor strongly reacted when the new roster of National Artist awardees came out on October 23, with her not among the seven to be conferred the honor and title the following day by President Duterte in Malacañang.
Following the rejection of her name by President Benigno Aquino 3rd in 2014 due to her controversial drug involvement in the US, people were optimistic that the legendary superstar of Philippine entertainment will get the honor she deserves under Duterte.
Immediately upon the announcement of the honorees, Aunor herself expressed her thoughts about the award. The multi-awarded actress, who prefers speaking in Filipino, told Mario Dumaual of ABS-CBN to just set aside the National Artist award issue.
“Sapat na sa akin ang respetong natatanggap ko sa mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho. Kung gagamitin lang naman ang National Artist para pagpiyestahan at hamakin ang mga personal kong pagpupunyagi sa buhay, ako na ang nakikiusap na itigil na natin ang lahat ng ito (The respect that I get from my colleagues is already enough for me. If the National Artist issue is just used to malign me and undermine my achievements, I’m pleading that we stop all these),” Aunor said.
“Ano ba naman ang isang award kung kapalit naman nito’y ang paulit-ulit na paghamak sa pagkatao ko at sa mga taong naniniwala sa akin? Mas makabubuti pong ipagpatuloy na lang natin ang paglikha ng makabuluhang pelikula at mga awit na magsisilbing inspirasyon sa ating mga Filipino (What is one award if it meant repetitive abasement of my being and the people who believe in me? It would be better to just continue making relevant films and songs that serve as inspiration for us Filipinos),” she added.
Aunor asked her fans not be slighted or get mad about the issue, encouraging them to go on with life.
“I will continue working as long as I can with God’s blessings. Let’s forget about this National Artist thing,” she said.
Months earlier, Aunor humbly told The Sunday Times Magazine that there are still a lot of film industry denizens worthier than her – those who have been way ahead like Eddie Garcia and Gloria Romero – so she never thought of being proclaimed as a National Artist too soon.
On October 25, Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Counsel Salvador Panelo explained why Aunor did not make the honor roll: the actress got a majority vote but not a unanimous one from the officials of NCCA and CCP, the two bodies that recommend who should be proclaimed as National Artists by the President.
“Ms Aunor is still young and in God’s perfect time we are optimistuc that she will be proclaimed as a National Artist,” Panelo said.
“The artistical and musical legend that is Nora Aunor may not have passed the critical eyes of a select juror to be bestowed the National Artist award but her enrapturing film artistry and musicality and mass acceptance surpass any technical recognition given by any entity of authority,” the Presidential Spokesman added, citing the actress’ iconic stature as the country’s Superstar.
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