Jovita Fuentes

Jovita Flores Fuentes (February 15, 1895 – August 7, 1978) was a Filipina soprano singer. She was known to be the first Filipina to receive recognition as a National Artist for Music in 1976 and one of the few Filipinas to receive international acclaim in the European opera scene. She gave her final recital in 1945 appearing in the movie "Primadona" and gave up performing on stage entirely in 1955.

Due to her political connections, she was able to lobby lawmakers to pass a law which led to the creation of foundations promoting music. Under Philippine president Diosdado Macapagal, her appeal for the establishment of the Music Production Foundation was granted through Republic Act No. 3630, with an appropriated ₱900,000 a year from the government. This was made specifically to maintain a Filipino symphony orchestra.

Due to her merits and contributions in her field, she was dubbed as The First Lady of Philippine Music and in 1976 she earned the title of becoming the first female national artist in music.

Death and legacy

On August 7, 1978, two years after she received the recognition, she died at the age of 83. According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, her performance was praised to be the "most sublime" interpretation on her part. Her life story was documented in a book by Lilia H. Chung titled, "Jovita Fuentes: A Lifetime of Music (1978)", which was later translated to Filipino by Virgilio S. Almario.

Awards and recognitions Presidential Medal of Merit (1958) National Artist Award (1976)