Today, Aug. 7, is the 39th death anniversary of National Artist for Music Jovita Fuentes.
Born on Feb. 15, 1895, Fuentes first earned international recognition in April 1925 when she appeared as Cio Cio San in Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” at Teatro Municipale di Piacenza in Italy.
Upon her return to Manila on Aug. 23, 1930, the day was declared a public holiday.
She gave her final recital in Manila in 1945 and appeared in the movie “Primadonna” the following year.
She retired from the stage in 1955 and spent her remaining years teaching music. She was named National Artist in 1976. Fuentes died in 1978. —Marielle Medina
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