Actress Nora Aunor smiles as she receives the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining from Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Board of Trustees Chairperson Emily Abrera at the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Aunor is one of 11 individuals and 12 organizations awarded the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining this year. It is the highest award given by the cultural center. Photo: Danny Pata

The Superstar of Philippine movies  was one of the 13 recipients of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ highest distinction, the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, for her contribution to film and the broadcast arts.

In her acceptance speech, Nora Aunor said that becoming an actress was a decision she does not regret.

“And pinakatamang desisyon yata na nagawa ko sa buhay ay ang desisyon na umarte at maglingkod sa aking mga kababayan bilang artista,” she said.

Despite all the headaches and the heartaches, Aunor, 62, stressed how her profession has given her so much to thank for.

“Ang propesyon ang nagbigay sa akin ng napakaraming sakit ng ulo, ng katakot-takot na dusa at paghihirap. Pero ang pag-arte po ang nagdala sa akin ng napakaraming katuwaan at tagumpay,” she said.

“Ang pag-arte ang nagturo sa akin kung paano ako lalo makakapagsilbi sa ibang tao. At sa pag-arte ko natagpuan ang napakamahalagang mga tao sa buhay ko, lalo na ang aking mga tagahanga.”

Her daughter Lotlot de Leon and her granddaughter Janine Gutierrez were also at the event to show their support.

Aunor is a multi-awarded actress, singer, and producer, with a list of iconic film roles throughout her nearly 50-year career. She has also topbilled several award-winning stage plays, television shows, and concerts.

Other awardees of the afternoon were the following:

Paulo Alcazaren (Architecture)
Fides Cuyugan Asensio (Music)
Nora Aunor (Film and Broadcast Arts)
Roberto Chabet + (Visual Arts)
Leoncio Deriada (Literature)
Ben Farrales (Fashion Design)
Ricardo “Ricky” Lee (Literature)
Antonio “Tony” Mabesa (Theater)
Denisa Reyes (Dance)
Armida Siguion-Reyna (Musical Theater and Film)
Basilio Esteban Villaruz (Dance, Cultural Research)
Talaandig School of Living Tradition (Culture)
The Missionary Society of St. Columban (Tanging Parangal)

Given every three years, Gawad CCP Para sa Sining is awarded to artists or groups of artists who have consistently produced outstanding works and enriched the development of their art form.