Nora Aunor’s memorable lines from ‘Walang himala’ to ‘My brother is not a pig’

Nora Aunor in scenes from “Himala” and “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo.” Images: FILE PHOTOS

The moment Nora Aunor appears onscreen, it would almost feel like a sin to turn away. Her commanding presence onscreen seamlessly blends with her characters, especially when she delivers their gripping lines with much fervent.

Having appeared in over a hundred films, Aunor mastered the craft of effortless “mata mata acting” and punchy delivery of lines, which almost makes every viewer resonate with her characters completely. It’s rare to have a single monologue etched in the heart of every viewer, but Aunor had several, proving her effectiveness as an actress, and which made each one of her acting awards deserving of her name.

To celebrate Aunor as the Grand Dame and Superstar of Philippine Cinema, we revisit some of Aunor’s notable lines and explore how each delivery proved how she fully embraced her characters regardless of their joy, pain, darkness, and flaws.

READ: Cinema’s ‘miracle’: Nora Aunor’s most celebrated awards, titles and roles

‘Himala’ (1982)

Elsa: The earlier scenes showed Elsa moving in silence. She might have fully embraced her role as Cupang’s “faith healer” after witnessing the apparition of the Virgin Mary, but she barely spoke. Instead, she focused on healing the sick and fulfilling her “responsibility.” Despite several traumatic events, her ability to move the town from its sleepy state into a bustling locality, thanks to her gift, primed her to speak this most popular line in Philippine cinema.

Memorable line: “Ipinatawag ko kayong lahat dahil may gusto akong ikumpisal. Nitong mga nakaraang araw, sa loob lamang ng napakaikling panahon, parang naranasan natin ang pinaghalong langit at impyerno. Maraming [may] sakit ay gumaling, maraming taong bumuti at nagkaroon ng pananampalataya, pero nakakita rin tayo ng kamatayan, epidemya, ng pagpuputa, ng krimen at panloloko. Kapag may masamang nangyayari, sinisisi natin ang sumpa. Sinumpa ang Cupang dahil itinakwil natin ang may sakit noon kaya ganoon. Kapag may mabuti namang nangyayari, sinasabi natin, ito ay gawa ng langit, gawa ng birhen, gawa ng himala. May ipagtatapat ako sa inyo — walang himala. Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao, nasa puso nating lahat. Tayo ang gumagawa ng himala, tayo ang gumagawa ng sumpa at ng mga Diyos. Hindi totoong buntis ako dahil sa himala. Hindi totoong nagpakita sa’kin ang mahal na birhen. Walang himala. Hindi totoong may himala. Tayo ang gumagawa ng himala. Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga sumpa at ng mga Diyos, walang himala.”

‘Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo’ (1976)

Corazon dela Cruz: A nurse by profession, Corazon was determined to get a green card in the US, which was immediately called out as a form of “betrayal.” However, her dream to live in the US changed after her younger brother Carlito was shot by a US serviceman, who thought he was a “wild boar.”

Memorable line: “My brother is not a pig. My brother is not a pig! Ang kapatid ko’y tao, hindi baboy damo. Hindi siya baboy damo. Ang kapatid ko ay tao, hindi baboy damo. Hindi baboy damo ang kapatid ko.”

‘T-Bird at Ako’ (1982)

Sylvia Salazar: In the heat of a moment, Sylvia confessed to Sabel (Vilma Santos) her feelings, which ended with the latter reiterating that it’s wrong for a woman to fall in love with a fellow woman.

Memorable line: “Ikaw. Bingi ka ba? Ikaw! Akala mo lang ‘yan. Isabel, sa’yo lang ako sira. Lalaking lalaki, gusto kita mula ulo hanggang paa.”

‘The Flor Contemplacion Story’ (1995)

Flor Contemplacion: Flor was under custody after she was charged with the murder of fellow Filipina domestic worker Delia Maga and a three-year-old boy, Nicholas Huang. Despite being tortured by authorities for answers, Flor remained firm that she never murdered Delia and Nicholas.

Memorable line: “I told you. I did not kill anybody!”

‘Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo’ (1979)

Esther: Still dealing with the pain of not being able to bear a child, Esther discovered that her husband Luis (Raoul Aragon) and mother Renata (Lolita Rodriguez) bore a child after a one-night stand.

Memorable line: “Hayop! Hayop! Hayop!”

‘Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit’ (1989)

@hushhutch Magnolia Dela Cruz who? #fyp #fyyy #foryou #tiktokph #pinoymovies #tiktoktainmentph #noraaunor ♬ original sound – Hush

Magnolia Dela Cruz: A daughter of a poor farmer, Magnolia Dela Cruz is on a quest to get rich and take back her father’s land, in hopes of making its new land owners, who are related to her childhood lover Anselmo Santos (Tirso Cruz III), suffer.

Memorable line: “Humarap ka kapag kinakausap kita! Etong tandaan mo — wala pang tao ang hindi rumespeto sa pangalang Magnolia Dela Cruz. At ang hindi nakakakilala sa pangalang Magnolia Dela Cruz ay aso lamang!