Italy’s Order of Merit for Legarda
Senator Loren Legarda received the award of Cavaliere nell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Knight in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) from Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno during ceremonies on July 13 in Makati City.
The prestigious Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is awarded for merit acquired by the person in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers.
The Philippines joined the Venice Biennial once again beginning 2015, after a 51-year absence. Legarda, who shepherded the effort, is an advocate of arts and culture.
In 2015, the Philippine pavilion in the Venice Art Biennale featured Tie A String Around The World, curated by Dr. Patrick Flores.
In 2016, the Philippine participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale featured “Muhon: Traces of an Adolescent City,” curated by Leandro Y. Locsin, Jr., Sudarshan Khadka, Jr. and Juan Paolo Dela Cruz of the Leandro V. Locsin Partners.
For the Venice Art Biennale this year, the Philippine Pavilion is in the Arsenale, one of the main exhibition spaces of the Venice Biennale, featuring “The Spectre of Comparison” curated by Joselina Cruz.
In 2016, Legarda received from the French Government the title of Chevalier dans l’Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight in the French National Order of the Legion of Honor) for her contribution in strengthening the bilateral ties between the Philippines and France, particularly her environmental and cultural advocacies.
Pinay figure skaters win big in Japan
Young Filipina figure skaters went on the ice and won 12 gold and six silver medals at the 29th Annual Skate Japan 2017.
Seven-year-old Ayasofya Vittoria Aguirre won three golds, one silver; Shaelynn Adrianne Bolos, 7, won three golds, one silver; Hossana Immanuela Valdez, 8, took home three golds; Mishka Bolos, 11, won two golds and one silver; Maegan Ramos, 12, won one gold and one silver; Yuria Yumoto, 13, won two silvers.
Aguirre was also voted “Best in Artistic Performance.”
The Philippine team competed against other figure skaters from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.