Pres. Aquino leads conferment of National Artists Award

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday (April 14) attended the conferment of the Order of National Artists Award in Malacañang Palace, thanking the awardees for their contributions to national development.

"Sa ating mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining: Alam kong hindi sasapat ang anumang medalya, anumang bansag, anumang makukulay na salita, sa inyong naging ambag sa inyong larangan at sa ating lipunan," the President said in his message.

"Sa mga nagdaang taon, naging bantayog ng inspirasyon ang inyong mga katha at obra; huwaran kayo ng puspusang dedikasyon, noon, ngayon, at maging sa susunod pang henerasyon… Kaya naman, buong-karangalan po akong humaharap sa inyo ngayon, at taos-pusong tumatanaw sa inyong dakilang kontribusyon. Sa inyong lahat, maraming-maraming salamat po."

He told the awardees and their families that sharing their works and talents has inspired many young Filipinos, leading to the enrichment of the country's culture and national identity.

This is the core principle of his administration, he said, noting that public service must be directed towards the people, and not towards oneself.

"Nakatutok tayo, hindi sa pansariling interes, kundi sa kapakanan ng mas nakakarami. Sa bawat pagkakataon, ibinubuhos natin ang ating buong lakas upang isulong ang minamahal nating bansa," the President said.

Thursday's awardees were Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, visual arts (posthumous); Manuel Conde, film (posthumous); Lazaro Francisco, literature (posthumous); Cirilo Bautista, literature; Francisco Coching, visual arts (posthumous); Francisco Feliciano, music (posthumous); Alicia Garcia Reyes, dance; Ramon Santos, music; and Jose Maria Zaragoza, architecture (posthumous). (PCOO News Release)