MANILA, Philippines—President Arroyo will lead a tribute and necrological service in honor of National Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag, who died on Saturday at the age of 90 due to a lingering illness.

The necrological rites, billed “Pagdadalamhati,” will be held Thursday, 9 a.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).

Members of the arts and culture community, the academe, and the diplomatic corps, friends and family of Dean Kasilag will gather for the rites.

As a National Artist, Kasilag will receive full military honors.

Ms Arroyo and former First Lady Imelda Marcos are scheduled to speak at the necrological rites. Other speakers include CCP chair Emily Abrera, National Commission for Culture and the Arts chair Vilma Labrador, fellow National Artist Salvador Bernal, Dr. Helena Benitez, and UP College of Music Dean Ramon Santos. Former San Beda College rector and CCP Board of Trustees member Fr. Bernardo Ma. Perez, OSB will lead officiate the rites.

A special program will feature performances of Dean Kasilag's works by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with Josefino "Chino" Toledo, conductor, and pianist Zenas Lozada; the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, the Philippine Madrigal Singers; Edna Vida; Ballet Philippines; and the PWU Philippine Music Ensemble. The program is directed by Chris Millado and Ariel Yonzon with set design by Ricardo Eric Cruz.

Proclaimed National Artist in 1989, Kasilag or Tita King, wrote more than 200 original compositions, incorporating elements of world music to enrich Filipino national traditions. She dared to incorporate indigenous Filipino instruments in orchestral productions.