Nora Aunor receives UP Gawad Plaridel award

NORA Aunor. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Nora Aunor may not have been conferred National Artist for Film by the Aquino administration but the University of the Philippines isn’t about to pass up the opportunity to recognize the country’s only “superstar”.

Aunor, Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, in real life will be awarded the UP Gawad Plaridel for her “unique artistry and versatility as a singer”, as well as “portraying  with keen intelligence and uncommon sensitivity an amazing range of cinematic roles”, the UP College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) said in a statement Friday.

She was also commended for producing  “movies of notable quality”, or those independent films, which the UP CMC, said helped raise the bar in Philippine filmmaking.

Aunor’s film cited were: Bona, Himala, Bakit May Kahapon Pa?, Naglalayag, Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo;  Fe, Esperanza, Caridad; Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos; Annie Batungbakal, Flor Contemplacion Story, and Thy Womb.

Aunor will be honored in a ceremony on August 27, 2 p.m. at the UP Film Institute Film Center’s Cine Adarna.

UP President Alfredo Pascual and UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan will award Aunor with a trophy designed by National Arist Napoleon Abueva. The multi-awarded actress will be delivering a lecture.

The UP Gawad Plaridel’s past recipients are: Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, print), Vilma Santos (2005, film), Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo (2006, radio), Cecilia “Cheche” L. Lazaro (2007, television), Pachico A. Seares (2008, community print), Kidlat Tahimik (2009, independent filmmaking), Eloisa “Lola Sela” Canlas (2011, radio), Florence “Rosa Rosal” Danon-Gayda (2012, television) and Jose “Pete” Lacaba (2013, print).

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