Nora Aunor says past with Tirso Cruz a closed book

MELLOW GUY AND PIP Things between them used to be pretty intense, she says now.

For Nora Aunor, reuniting with former reel- and real-life sweetheart Tirso Cruz III in TV5’s made-for-TV movie “When I Fall in Love” (WIFIL) was just part of the job. But for zealous fans of the wildly popular tandem in the 1970s, seeing Guy and Pip together again onscreen is sure to be just as thrilling as it was back then.

“The fans haven’t changed one bit,” the acclaimed actress-singer told a small group of reporters at a recent press screening of WIFIL, directed by Joel Lamangan and produced by Studio 5.

“Tirso and I worked well. But the most important thing is that we are giving happiness to all those who still believe in us,” said Nora. The last movie that they top-billed was the Elwood Perez drama “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” in 1989.

Closed chapter

A lot has changed, Nora noted. “The past is a closed chapter. We have our own families now.” And they no longer held hands on the set when the cameras stopped rolling, she said, laughing. “It used to be intense.”

Asked if Maria Leonora Theresa—the doll that fans considered their child—would make an appearance in WIFIL,  Nora, 60 now, quipped: “Waz! Hindi ko nga alam kung asan na ’yung batang ’yun!”

She has her hands full with acting projects both for TV and film. The Kapatid star will also be in the musical drama TV series “Trenderas,” and will headline several indie movies—Perci Intalan’s drama-thriller “Dementia,” Adolf Alix Jr.’s “Padre de Familia” and “Whistleblower,” and another one by Lamangan.

Kind words

She has the kindest words for “Padre” costar Coco Martin: “Coco is such a good actor and person. Huwag sanang may magtampo, pero iba siya sa lahat ng mga nakatrabaho ko. He was so thoughtful, and called me ‘Nanay.’ He always asked me what I wanted to eat, and brought food cooked by his grandma to the set.”

This year, Nora hopes to revive her movie outfit, NV productions, hold a concert, and do a stage play. The last two would require restoration of her voice through surgery. She is determined to finally have this done, possibly in the United States.

A botched cosmetic procedure in 2010 turned her golden voice into a tired rasp. “I miss singing,” she said.

WIFIL is one of four original made-for-TV movies that TV5 is presenting Tuesdays of this month. It airs Feb. 11. The Alice Dixson starrer, “The Lady Next Door,” aired Feb 4; Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Daniel Matsunaga’s “The Replacement Bride,” Feb. 18; Derek Ramsay and Angel Aquino’s “Bawat Sandali,” Feb. 25.