LOOK: Nora Aunor’s wake draws crowd on first day of public viewing
LIVE UPDATES: Remembering Nora Aunor, Superstar and National Artist
Fans of Superstar Nora Aunor flock to The Heritage Park chapel for the first day of public viewing. INQUIRER.net/Arnel Tacson
Updated April 20, 2025, 2 a.m.
Braving the summer heat, fans of the late Nora Aunor from across the country flocked to The Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City on the first day of the public viewing of the Superstar’s wake on Saturday, April 19.
Hundreds of Aunor’s loyal fanbase, called Noranians, began gathering at the venue as early as 10 a.m., then patiently lined up for hours for a chance to see their idol one last time before she is finally laid to her final resting place at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani on Tuesday, April 22.
Image: INQUIRER.net/Arnel Tacson
Some of them even brought memorabilia and scrapbooks with pictures of Aunor from magazine cover cutouts carefully preserved from decades ago.
Supporters from all ages are still expected to arrive until 4 p.m on Black Saturday. The second and last day of public viewing is on Sunday, April 20.
WATCH: Supporters of the late Superstar and National Artist Nora Aunor continue to arrive at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Saturday, April 19, 2025. | @ATacsonINQ pic.twitter.com/61wBfUPAg6
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 19, 2025
Images: INQUIRER.net/Arnel Tacson
During the first day, Aunor’s daughters Lotlot and Matet de Leon took some time to take photos and talk to the fans despite the hot weather.
Refreshments were given to some of the mourners.
WATCH: Matet de Leon took some time to interact with the supporters of her late mother, Superstar and National Artist Nora Aunor, during her wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig on Saturday, April 19. | 🎥: Arnel Tacson via @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/Y4QMulINhn
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 19, 2025
Image: INQUIRER.net/Arnel Tacson
In the afternoon, fans collectively sang along as Aunor’s signature song “Superstar ng Buhay Ko” blasted from the speakers.
Aunor’s impersonator and standup comic, Ate Gay, or Gil Morales in real life, also gamely sang “Bagong Bayani,” the theme song to her movie “Flor Contemplacion.”
Being a national artist, two honor guards from the Armed Forces were tasked to stand guard at her coffin at all times pursuant to the protocol being implemented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
On Friday, Lotlot extended her gratitude to the public for honoring the late National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts as she emphasized that the family gathers strength from supporters.
Aunor, who died of acute respiratory failure, will be given a state funeral before her interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Tuesday, April 22.
WATCH: Lotlot de Leon interact with supporters of her late mother, Superstar and National Artist Nora Aunor, during her wake held despite the hot weather at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Saturday, April 19, 2025. | @ATacsonINQ pic.twitter.com/NlOZ5PHY8e
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 19, 2025
