Bacolod Representative Anthony Golez Jr. filed House Resolution 2317 last Wednesday, April 11, prodding President Benigno Aquino III, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to declare "Superstar" Nora Aunor, a National Artist.

GMA News Online reports that the lawmaker calls Nora, a “national treasure” considering that her works “are already an important part of Philippine culture."

Representative Golez says that Nora, a.k.a. Ate Guy, fulfills the requirements laid down by the government prior to declaring one a National Artist.

According to the lawmaker, Nora’s “broad acceptance and recognition by her peers, by respected critics, and by the entire Filipino nation,” make the iconic actress eligible to be considered for the title.

Representative Golez further elaborates in his note in the resolution: “The Filipino people is now entangled with so many public issues like the seemingly uncontrollable rise of prices of fuel and commodities but we should not lose hope.

“There are a lot of things going for our country and the enshrinement of Ms. Nora Aunor as a National Artist is a sure feel good thing that the Filipinos can hold on to.”

Nora, also Maria Leonora Teresa Cabaltera Aunor in real life, is a multi-awarded Filipina actress known for starring in the films Himala, Bona, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, also Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit.

Also “La Aunor” to a legion of fans, Nora catapulted to stardom in the ‘60s until the ‘80s.

She made a comeback in showbiz in August last year as she starred in TV-5 primetime soap, Sa Ngalan ng Ina.

GUIDELINES. Representative Golez’s resolution will have to pass a series of deliberations before seeing passage by the House of Representatives.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ site provides the criteria for selecting national artists.

The Order of National Artists shall be granted to:

1. Living artists who are Filipino citizens at the time of nomination, as well as those who died after the establishment of the award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death;

2. Artists who through the content and form of their works have contributed in building a Filipino sense of nationhood;

3. Artists who have pioneered in a mode of creative expression or style, thus, earning distinction and making an impact on succeeding generations of artists;