Four iconic Filipinas will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Castro confirmed on Wednesday that a ceremony will be held to honor National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, Queen of Philippine Cinema Gloria Romero, Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, and renowned restaurateur Margarita Fores for their immense contributions to the country.

“The event is confirmed,” she said in a message to reporters.

The Presidential Medal of Merit is one of the highest honors granted for exceptional contributions to nation-building.

The ceremony will take place in Malacañang on 4 May.

Philippines’ Superstar

Nora Aunor, 71, passed away on 16 April due to acute respiratory failure, one day after a medical procedure. She was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on 22 April.

Aunor is remembered for her remarkable performances in films like Himala, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, The Flor Contemplacion Story, and Ina Ka ng Anak Mo.

Asia’s Queen of Songs

Pilita Corrales peacefully passed away in her sleep on 12 April at the age of 87.

In a career spanning over six decades, Corrales recorded 135 albums, primarily in English and Filipino, and occasionally in Spanish and Cebuano. She broke genre barriers with her renditions of Filipino folk music, pop songs, and standards.

2016 Asia’s Best Female Chef

Renowned restaurateur Margarita Fores passed away on 11 February at the age of 66 due to cardiac arrest. She died during a stopover in Hong Kong while traveling from Morocco and Madrid to Manila.

Trained mainly in Italy, Fores brought Italian cuisine to the Philippines through her restaurant Cibo, as well as other ventures like Lusso, Grace Park and Alta. She was a two-time cancer survivor, including thyroid cancer in 2006. Fores is survived by her son, Amado, who has also ventured into the culinary world.