Press Release
May 8, 2012

Drilon proposes award for modernist painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho

A Senate Resolution expressing sympathy over the death of artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho and recognizing her contribution to the Philippine's cultural heritage has been filed in the Senate today.

Senate Resolution 767 filed by Senator Franklin M. Drilon recommends to the President the conferment of the highest recognition on modernist painter Magsaysay-Ho for her contribution in the development of Philippine Art.

Magsaysay-Ho passed away on May 4, 2012. She 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 the tutelage of great painter Fernando Cueto Amorsolo, the country's first National Artist.

"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," said Drilon.

"Magsaysay-Ho truly exhibited love for her country through her contribution to the advancement of the country's art and cultural heritage," he added, "her death is a great loss to the artistic development of Philippine art."

Drilon also said that Magsaysay-Ho's being a Canadian citizen should not prevent the conferment of a Presidential award to recognize her artistic excellence and significant contribution to the Philippines' cultural heritage."

It has been reported that the late artist cannot be included membership in the Order of National Artists because of her nationality.

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