National Artist for Film Nora Aunor was given the last tribute fit for Queen of Cinema at the necrological service held Tuesday morning (April 22) at the historic Manila Metropolitan Theater in the presence of dignitaries and her fellow National Artists.
Initiated by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the final tribute was doubly meaningful as no less than President Bongbong Marcos declared April 22 as Day of National Mourning in Proclamation 870 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, under the President’s authority.
The President’s proclamation recognized Aunor’s outstanding contribution to Philippine cinema, television and music: “Her artistry, depth, and dedication as a performer elevated the standard of excellence in the fields of arts and culture, and inspired generations of actors, filmmakers, and audiences, both in local and international stage.”
Meanwhile, National Artist for Film Ricky Lee along with film director Joel Lamangan and actress Charo Santos paid moving tributes to the late actress.
“She wasn’t just a consummate actress but a generous human being,” said Lamangan who recalled Nora giving a Nueva Ecija farmer P15,000 to he could buy a carabao.”
This was during the shoot of Sidhi in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija many years back.
As a whole, the tribute was grand as it was solemn with La Aunor’s flag-draped coffin resting on a bed of white flowers with her National Artist medallion blending with the colors of the Philippine flag.
Present were National Artists Ryan Cayabyab (Music), Alice Reyes (Dance), Ramon Santos (Music).
National Artist for Film Ricky Lee narrated the high and low moments of La Aunor’s life as an artist.
He recalled that he first met the late actress during the filming if Ishmael Bernal’s Himala. “On the night we were to shoot the final scene of the film, I revised her character’s (Elsa) final monologue. Director Bernal said the scene had to be one take only as there were 3000 extras and eight cameras involved. “The following day, she delivered the entire monologue in front of her extras most whom didn’t understand what she was saying as many of them were Ilocanos. But I could sense Guy (Nora) knows the pulse of the masses. She has a way of connecting with them without long dialogues.”
Lee narrated he became close to the actress when he did Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Ina. of which she was the producer. The film won for Aunor all the best actress awards given by five awards giving bodies during the year.
It also won for Lee the best story and best screenplay awards in 1990 Metro Manila Film Festival.
There was a minor hitch before the film found a slot in the 1990 MMFF. The screening committee suggested that they change the ending which had soldiers pumping bullets on her head. Lee remembered what they have against the ending: “Dapat daw ay nagtatangkang tumakas si Andrea, kaya siya binaril. Sabi ni Guy, huwag na lang nating isali kung babaguhin ang ending. Nanindigan siya. She harvested a grand slam as best actress in that film.”
Like the role she played in Andrea, Lee knew the late actress as a true to life rebel. “For close to seven decades, she was always challenging the status quo. She changed the notion that only the tall and the white-skinned can be considered beautiful. She delineated various roles with aplomb. Ginampanan niya ang papel ng mga babaeng palaban at makatotohanan. Naging madre siya, bilanggo, lesbian, NPA, OFW, kabit, anak na naging kaagaw ng ina sa pag-ibig, alalay, kontrabida, Muslim, Igorota, binukot, may dementia, mamamatay-tao. Sa isang panahong hindi tanggap ng mga tao na namamatay ang bida sa ending, namatay siya sa Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Himala, Nakaw na Pag-ibig, Andrea, Flor Contemplacion, at iba pa. Marami siyang binasag at binagong paniniwala. Ipinakita niyang mahalaga ang nararamdaman ng mga taong nasa gilid ng lipunan, may mga boses na kailangang pakinggan. Pinili niyang huwag lang maging superstar, kundi maging isang tunay na artista ng bayan. Nilagyan niya ng hugis ang ating mga damdamin. Binigyan niya ng direksyon ang ating mga aspirasyon.”
Lee pointed out La Aunor lived and acted what art is all about.
Still, Lee is still bewildered what makes the actress so close to the masses.
In 1993, they toured Lee’s play, DH where the actress played the title role.
In Central Park in Hong Kong, Lee recalls seeing the actress embracing the domestic helpers she met. Halos bawat isa ay niyayakap ni Guy, kinakausap, kinukumusta kung ano ang mga problema nila. Noong paalis na kami, lumingon ako at nakita kong tumatakbo sa kalsada ang mahigit sampung DH, lumuluha habang humahabol sa van. At alam ko kung bakit. Dahil nakikita nila si Guy sa kanilang mga sarili. Dahil sila si Guy.”
When they were doing Himala, Lee asked Aunor why her eyes are always lonely and full of emotion. “Sinabi niyang ipinaglihi daw kasi siya ng ina niya sa Mater Dolorosa. Iyong may pitong punyal sa puso. Kaya siguro kahit na nakatawa siya, sa mga mata niya ay may lungkot pa rin.”
Aunor’s generosity didn’t escape the award-winning screenwriter. “That she helped financially handicapped people is common knowledge. Her talent fee for last shooting day she gives away to the crew and other people on the set. While filming Lamangan’s Flor Contemplacion Story, she gave away cash to prisoners who were extras in the film.”
Charo Santos echoed Nora’s line in Himala as she paid tribute to the National Artist for Film.
“Walang himala… Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao. Today, we say goodbye to a legend, but her voice, her brilliance, and her soul-stirring performances will echo forever. Her rise to superstardom was not just destiny—it was legacy in the making. Whether it was in Himala, Bona, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Thy Womb, or Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo, she made us feel every emotion. Every tear she shed onscreen felt like a collective heartbreak. Every line she delivered became etched in the memory of Philippine cinema. You were never just an actress. You were our mirror. Our voice. And always, our Superstar.”
In a latest development, Presidential Communication Office Undersecretary and spokesperson Claire Castro has announced Nora Aunor, singer Pilita Corrales, chef Margarita Fores, and actress Gloria Romero will be given Presidential Medals of Merit on May 4 by President Marcos.
