Golden Guy
Nora Aunor—Leo Sabangan II
Celebrating five decades in the fickle business of show is quite an achievement. For Superstar Nora Aunor, however, her golden anniversary is made more special because her loyal fans have been toiling hard for over a year to mount a big event, set on Oct. 14 at the Sampaguita compound—the same studio lot where she had her start in the movies.
The Noranians themselves organized the celebration, she related.
“Magpahanggang ngayon ay hindi nila ako iniiwan, kahit anuman ang mabalitaan nila tungkol sa akin,” La Aunor told the Inquirer. “Humihingi rin ako ng tawad sa kanila kung matagal na panahon ko na rin silang hindi nakakausap at nakakasama.”
Her heart is brimming with joy as she marks her fifth decade in the biz.
Cinderella story
Until now, she is awed by the intensity of the “unconditional love and support” extended to her by her beloved Noranians—
“mula pa noong nagsisimula pa lamang ako bilang isang mang-aawit, hanggang maging isang artista ako.”
Her Cinderella story is the stuff of legend. A lot of ink has been spilled on her rags-to-riches tale. As a child, Guy, as she is fondly called by admirers, sold iced water at a railroad station in Iriga, to help augment the family income.
When she got a bit older, she would travel all over Bicolandia to compete in amateur singing contests—sometimes she would win big, oftentimes she would go home empty-handed.
All these experiences strengthened her resolve and primed her for her biggest battle yet: the national singing tilt, “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” which she eventually topped in May 1967.
The rest, as they say, is her story—and hers alone.
Awards spree
Numerous movies, TV shows and recordings later, she has won just as many awards and accolades. The 2014 Plaridel honoree went on another awards spree recently, bagging prizes from various cultural and academic institutions: the ICCT Colleges and Foundation best actress citation for “Kabisera” and the Urduja best actress trophies for “Tuos” and “Hinulid.”
Just what is the secret of the Superstar mystique?
Nora Aunor—Photo by Krist Bansuelo
Filmmaker Joel Lamangan told the Inquirer that La Aunor has been serving the country, “through her films that mirror Philippine realities,” since the 1970s.
“Her Superstar moniker captures succinctly her being an expert in portraying different Filipino characters in various times and struggles,” Lamangan clarified. “Her acting genius has been recognized by local and international audiences. She is indeed the People’s National Artist.”
Lamangan is the director responsible for Guy’s highest acting prize so far, best actress at the A-list Cairo film fest for “The Flor Contemplacion Story” in 1995.
Although the National Artist honor has so far eluded her, she remains upbeat.
Old and new Noranians
“Wala na po akong dapat hilingin pa sa Diyos,” she pointed out. “Bilang mang-aawit, artista sa entablado, telebisyon at pelikula…naibigay na po sa akin ng Diyos ang lahat ng suwerte.”
She is especially proud of her Noranians—old and new. “Magpahanggang ngayon ay hindi sila nawawala. Bagkus, sila ay nadaragdagan pa ng mga kabataan. Kinikilala ng mga estudyante ang aking pag-arte, at ito po ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa akin.”
She is likewise thankful to longtime friends, led by John Rendez. “Si John ang tumatayong adviser ko. Hindi niya ako iniwan at tinuring niya ako bilang isang pamilya sa mahigit na 20 taon. Isa siya sa mga ilang kaibigan na naging totoo sa akin…sa hirap at ginhawa.”
