WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines provides for patronage of arts and letters by the State;

WHEREAS, the category of National Artist was created under Proclamation No. 1001 (s. 1972);

WHEREAS, preeminent achievements that have enhanced the cultural heritage of the Filipino people deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of our Government in pursuit of its policy of preserving and developing Filipino culture and a national identity; and

WHEREAS, the works and achievements of National Artist for Film, Director Gerardo de Leon, are reflective of this preeminent excellence and of the national genius that contributed to the national heritage of the Philippines and the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, upon the recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), do hereby declare the period of 12 September 2013 to 12 September 2014 as the Centennial Year of National Artist for Film, Director Gerardo de Leon and enjoin the NCCA and CCP to be the lead agencies for the celebration of his centennial birthday in coordination with other government agencies to propagate his works.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 29th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twelve.

 

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines

By Authority of the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary