Nora returns with ‘Extraordinary’ series

“Extraordinary Love” director Gina Alajar (left) and the stars (from left): Kate Valdez, Nora Aunor, Mikee Quintos and Jo Berry

The Superstar is back on the small screen.

Nora Aunor is mighty glad and grateful to be part of GMA 7’s newest primetime offering, “Extraordinary Love,” which is under the helm of another award-winning actress, Gina Alajar.

“Masaya ako na may bago akong soap sa GMA 7,” La Aunor told the Inquirer. “OK na katrabaho si Gina at masayang kasama ang buong cast at crew.”

The Superstar previously acted with her TV director in films like “Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?” “Bulaklak sa City Jail,” “Condemned” and “Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak.”

Funny thing was, it was the director who got tense on the first taping day.

“It was nerve-wracking,”

Direk Gina quipped. “I had so many things on my mind: the scenes, the location, the weather, the actors, the staff and crew. I tried to relax, but to top it off, I kept asking myself: ‘How do I direct her? My gosh, she is Nora Aunor!’”

Direk Gina had so many questions on her mind: “Do I need to teach her what to do? Or does she already know what to do, based on the script? Does she welcome instructions? Or does she want to do it herself and come up with her own interpretation?”

Truth to tell, Direk Gina would rather be a costar than the captain of the ship this time. “How I wanted to maintain our old relationship … laughing and chatting between takes. But since I was wearing the director’s hat and was conscious of her cutoff, I wanted to work fast. There was not much time for chikahan, but I try to visit her dressing room every now and then, to check on how she’s doing.”

Nora Aunor

Ate Guy, as La Aunor is known in the biz, is happy to be reunited with past costars like Gardo Versoza and Cherie Gil, as well. “Walang duda na magagaling silang artista. At mababait.”

It will be Ate Guy’s first time to work with the series’ other actors like Mikee Quintos, Kate Valdez, Enrico Cuenca, Vaness del Moral, Wendell Ramos, Adrian Alandy and Rochelle Pangilinan.

The show’s unique concept spelled the difference for the acclaimed thespian.

Ate Guy portrays the mom of a girl who has dwarfism, played by newcomer Jo Berry, who auditioned for the plum part. (Jo made her acting debut in an episode of “Magpakailanman.”)

At presstime, the Superstar has only shared scenes with Jo and Gardo. “Nakakagulat na magaling umarte si Jo!”

The neophyte was just as thrilled to act alongside the Superstar. “She’s such a great actress. It’s a privilege to work with her,” Jo related.

Ate Guy last appeared in the Kapuso series, “Little Nanay,” which ran from 2015 to 2016 and costarred Kris Bernal and Bembol Roco.

There is no truth to the rumor that she fell ill on the set because of fatigue. “Ang totoo, sinusundo ako nang 6 a.m. at ang cutoff ko, 10 p.m. Tulad noon sa ‘Little Nanay.’ Mahirap na rin ang bumabata!”

As of now, she is focusing on the new drama series—even her planned trips abroad, to Brazil and the United States, have been put on hold. “Kasalukuyang inaayos ang US visa ko. Gusto ko sanang makaalis next month, pero may taping pa ako para sa bagong show.”