Nora Aunor. INQUIRER FILE / LYN RILLON
After Superstar Nora Aunor was dropped from the list of new National Artists, the veteran actress claimed she’s not interested in receiving the award anyway.
“Hindi ko ito hinahangad,” she said in a statement sent to Radyo Inquirer 990 AM on Thursday.
EXCLUSIVE: Superstar Nora Aunor's statement sent to Radyo Inquirer on National Artist Awards exclusion. @dzIQ990 @inquirerdotnet @banderainquirer pic.twitter.com/7WvIcafbK5
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The actress added that “Nora Aunor” would be a no one if it weren’t for her Noranians and colleagues in the industry of music, theater and Filipino film who helped her hone her talent.
“Sapat na sa akin ang respetong natatanggap ko sa mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho,” she added.
Aunor also asked to stop further pushing for the recognition if what it takes is contempt for herself and her supporters.
“Kung gagamitin lang naman ang National Artist para pagpyestahan at hamakin ang mga personal kong pagpupunyagi sa buhay – ako na ang nakikiusap na itigil na natin ang lahat ng ito,” she 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?” the actress added.
Seven new national artists were named on Wednesday. The veteran actress was dropped from the list.
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) project coordinator Sabrina Tan said Tuesday that Aunor was automatically nominated to become National Artist because she was already previously shortlisted as a nominee.
In 2014, she was recommended to become a National Artist for Film but was rejected by former President Benigno Aquino III due to her alleged involvement in drugs.
“Tuloy lang ang buhay. Tuloy ang trabaho hangga’t binibiyayaan pa rin ako ng Dios para makapagtrabaho,” Aunor said.
She then urged Noranians and friends not to be disheartened by her exclusion and said: “Kalimutan na natin ang National Artist na yan.”
The newly proclaimed National Artists are Francisco Mañosa for Architecture, Kidlat Tahimik for Cinema, Resil Mojares for Literature, Ramon Muzones for Literature (posthumous), Larry Alcala for Visual Arts (posthumous), Ryan Cayabyab for Music and Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio for Theater. /cbb