By UP Journ 102 THR
SUPERSTAR Nora Aunor, who used to sell water near train tracks and never got past Grade 2, said she felt like a college graduate after receiving the Gawad Plaridel from the University of the Philippines on Aug. 27.
The Gawad Plaridel is the highest honor the country’s premier university bestows on outstanding media practitioners.
UP proclaimed Aunor artista ng bayan (nation’s artist), a jab at President Benigno Aquino III who struck Aunor out of the list of candidates for the 2014 National Artist Award.
“Masayang masaya ako (I am very glad),” Aunor said in an interview after the ceremony. “Isang malaking karangalan maging artista ng bayan (It is a huge honor to be a nation’s artist).”
Aunor, who is the 10th recipient of the award, was chosen by the UP College of Mass Communication because of her contribution to media, particularly film and television.
Aunor was born to a poor family in Iriga, Camarines Sur and sold water at a train station to help earn a living. She also used her outstanding voice to win various singing competitions. When she went to Manila, she visited television and radio stations in hopes of joining auditions.
She encountered failure and discrimination but these did not deter her from seeking stardom. She lost the then most popular national singing competition, “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” on her first try but became a champion on her second.
She also lost a lead role in a movie because she was short and dark skinned, physical characteristics that ran against type in show business.
She began producing her own films starting with “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” after getting tired of the stale condition of the Philippine film industry.
“Gusto kong makagawa ng pelikulang maalala ng mga tao (I wanted to make a film that will be remembered by the people),” she said in her lecture. “Hindi ko po iniisip na kikita. Basta ako, kung nagustuhan ng tao ang pelikula masayang masaya na ako (I don’t think about the profits. As long as the people like it, I’m happy).”
Aunor also shared the secret behind her extraordinary acting performances. “Kapag isinapuso ninyo ang eksena at naintindihan ninyo ang sinasabi ng kaeksena mo, mas maganda po ang kinalalabasan (If we learn the scene by heart and understand what your co-actor is saying, we get better results.)”
Aquino dropped Aunor from the list of National Artist Awardees supposedly because of her alleged drug use. Aunor was arrested in the US in 2005 for drug possession, but lawyers supportive of the actress say she was never convicted.
Aunor’s closest friends were on hand to witness her receive the Gawad Plaridel and celebrate her achievement.
“Napagko-combine niya ‘yung naaabot at hindi naaabot (She is both reachable and the unreachable),” said scriptwriter Ricky Lee in an interview after the event.
“Meron siyang mystery, meron siyang mystique. Meron siyang pagka-icon na mataas na hindi natin totally ma-grasp, hindi totally maabot na nandoon na sa taas (She’s mysterious, she has mystique. Her icon is at the height that it is unreachable),” said Lee, who worked with Aunor in the films “Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina” and “Himala.”
Aunor won numerous awards for portraying common people such as Andrea, a teacher and Elsa, a faith healer in “Himala.”
Lee escorted Aunor throughout the program and after the event celebration. – Boado, K.; Calanog, D.; Calay, R.; Co, C.; Dimpas, M.; Gutlay, K. Isaac, D.; Merced, J.; Natividad, T.; Onato, A.; Rodriguez, M.; Uy, M.; Venus, C.; Yumol, D.
(University of the Philippines’ Journ 102 THR is the News reporting and writing class taught by VERA Files trustee Luz Rimban.)