President Rodrigo Duterte bestowed the Order of National Artist to eight icons of Philippine arts and culture in an awarding ceremony held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Thursday, 16 June.,The eight newly declared National Artists are veteran actress Nora Aunor (born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor) for film and broadcast arts, soprano Fides Cuyugan-Asensio for music, poet and literary critic Gemino Abad, and screenwriter and novelist Ricky Lee for literature, and choreographer Agnes Locsin for dance.,Film and TV director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, fashion designer Salvacion Lim-Higgins, and stage director and actor Tony Mabesa were posthumously awarded the honor.,Duterte declared them National Artists under Proclamation No. 1390 upon the joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.,It was the second set of National Artists named by President Duterte.,In 2018, he conferred the title to cartoonist Larry Alcala, playwright Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio, composer Ryan Cayabyab, architect Francisco Mañosa, historian and literary critic Resil Mojares, fictionist Ramon Muzones, and filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik.,Inclusion in the roster of National Artists is considered the highest honor for Filipinos who have contributed to the Philippine arts and culture.,Living awardees receive a cash award of P100,000, monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits, and life insurance coverage.,Posthumous awardees get P75,000, payable to their legal heirs.,They are also accorded a state funeral and burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and a place of honor at national state functions and recognition at cultural events.