The Senate recently paid tribute to the late artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho, along with an appeal to Malacañang to make her a National Artist for Visual Arts.
A resolution signed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile says that her demise on May 4 “is a great loss to the artistic development of our nation,” and that “it has been reported that she cannot be included membership in the Order of National Artists for the simple reason that her marriage to a foreign citizen had taken away her Philippine citizenship,” but that “her citizenship, however, should not prevent the conferment of an official recognition of her artistic excellence and significant contribution to the cultural heritage of our nation.”
The full text of the May 9 resolution:
“Whereas, artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho was born in Manila on May 25, 1914, and studied at the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts and at the School of Design in Manila where she trained under Fernando Amorsolo;
“Whereas, her paintings, with the predominant use of Filipino women as subjects in her artworks, exhibit a distinct element of our country’s artistic and cultural heritage and have won various acclaim for her and our country;
“Whereas, Magsaysay-Ho truly exhibited love for her country through her contribution to the development of Philippine art;
“Whereas, she passed away on May 4, 2012, and her demise is a great loss to the artistic development of our nation;
“Whereas, the Senate of the Philippines joins the family of Anita Magsaysay-Ho in their moment of bereavement on the demise of an artist deserving of national honor;
“Whereas, it has been reported that she cannot be included membership in the Order of National Artists for the simple reason that her marriage to a foreign citizen had taken away her Philippine citizenship;
“Whereas, her citizenship, however, should not prevent the conferment of an official recognition of her artistic excellence and significant contribution to the cultural heritage of our nation;
“Whereas, the conferment of a Presidential award will be a national expression of gratitude and appreciation for her distinguished achievement in the arts: Now, therefore, be it
“Resolved by the Senate of the Philippines, to express, as it hereby expresses, its deep sympathy on the demise of artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho, and its highest respect and appreciation for her contribution to the development of Philippine art and culture;
“Resolved, further, to express the sense of the Senate, for the favorable consideration of His Excellency, Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, for the conferment of the highest recognition on Anita Magsaysay-Ho for her contribution to the cultural heritage of our nation.”
Adopted,
Juan Ponce Enrile
President of the Senate