Nora asks Sheryl: Why only now?

NORA Aunor (left) with her bet for president, Sen. Grace Poe

ACTRESS Nora Aunor came out with guns blazing, to defend her choice for president in the 2016 national election, Sen. Grace Poe.

Specifically, Aunor responded to the statements made by Poe’s cousin, actress Sheryl Cruz, who expressed misgivings about the politician’s preparedness for the highest post in the land.

In Filipino, Aunor put Cruz to task: “Why are you speaking out only now? Is it because you have a movie to promote and you want to people to talk about you?”

Aunor is a known supporter of Poe, who gave the actress a commendation for her contributions to Philippine cinema during a Senate hearing last May.

“I am confident that Sen. Poe is ready to lead the country,” Aunor said. “Instead of questioning the senator’s capability, critics should ask themselves: Are they ready for change, for hope?”

She also lauds the senator’s plan to revitalize the local movie industry, by giving incentives to Filipino films and artists who win in festivals abroad.

She recalled a sad experience after winning best actress and her movie, Joel Lamanagan’s “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” the top prize at the Cairo International Film Festival in 1995.

She recounted: “We went to Malacañang Palace, with our trophies. At first, we were stopped at the gate and were not allowed to enter by the guard because I was in jeans and rubber shoes. We waited for a long time, but no one bothered to talk to us.”

In spite of the disappointments, Aunor remains steadfast in making socially relevant films. She has several indie films in the works: Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Whistleblower,” “Tasaday” and “Padre de Familia,” Derick Cabrido’s “Tuos,” and Real S. Florido’s “Kabisera.”

In the mainstream world, she is currently in talks with GMA 7 for a possible miniseries, Aunor told the Inquirer.