Showbiz in mourning for Nora Aunor, Pilita Corrales

LIVE UPDATES: Remembering Nora Aunor, Superstar and National Artist

Pilita Corrales (left) and Nora Aunor.

The sudden demise of Ms. Nora Aunor, hailed National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, impacted the industry with such profound and far-reaching effect. Her death is mourned by the entire nation — not just by fans lining up and braving the heat to get a glimpse of her at the Heritage Memorial Park — but by generations of actors, directors, writers, producers, and even production crews who have been inspired by the country’s one and only Superstar’s unparalleled talent and generosity.

Was it a coincidence that Ate Guy peacefully passed on a holy week when most Filipinos should be home in observance of the solemnity of the season?

The industry literally paused to reflect on her influence, the controversies she weathered, and the legacy she leaves behind.

Aunor’s journey to the great beyond came within the week’s passing of another showbiz creative, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, her balae (in-law) in real life. Aunor’s daughter Lotlot de Leon was once married to Monching Gutierrez, Pilita’s son. Before their separation, the union bore 3 kids: Janine, Jessica, and Diego. With their simultaneous death, Janine and her siblings are now orphaned by their grandmas on both sides.

While Aunor was a force of nature in film, Corrales was a trailblazer whose musical artistry also transcended borders. With her distinct voice, elegance, and timeless presence, she became an icon not just in the Philippines but across Asia.

If Corrales’s contributions to music helped define the industry’s golden age and inspired generations of performers, La Aunor’s compelling portrayals of relatable characters, often struggling against adversity, resonated deeply with Filipino audiences and thereby elevated cinema into a mirror of the nation’s soul. As a National Artist, she was a symbol of artistic excellence, social consciousness, and unwavering authenticity.

Their absence would surely leave a void in the heart of many whose lives they touched with their enduring power of genuine artistry.

The PMPC Star Awards, Inc. joins fellow Filipinos in mourning the passing of the two monumental figures. The pioneering award-giving body is deeply honored to have had a long-standing friendship with both Ms. Corrales and Ms. Aunor for decades.

They were not only frequent honorees but true supporters of the club’s mission to uplift Filipino talent. In recognition of their unparalleled contributions, PMPC named its Lifetime Achievement Award for Movies in honor of Nora Aunor and its Lifetime Achievement Award for Music in honor of Pilita Corrales.

The Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award (for actors) was first bestowed in 1987, while the Pilita Corrales Lifetime Achievement Award (for singers) was first awarded in 2009.

To you both, thank you for the music, the movies, the memories, and the magical moments you brought into our lives.

Short but sweet encounters with the Superstar

My first close encounter with the Superstar was during the 31st PMPC Star Awards for Movies held at Solaire Resort & Casino in March 2015.

Ate Guy won Movie Actress of The Year for “Dementia.” She later presented the Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award to veteran actress Celia Rodriguez. A first timer in showbiz events, a dear friend prodded me to have a photo taken with the superstar on her exit which she obligingly did. Thank you for the photo opportunity, Ate Guy!

The second chance to be with Ate Guy was during the 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies. It turned out to be a rare historic moment as the country’s Superstar and The Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos, shared the spotlight to receive a special lifetime achievement award dubbed as Ginintuang Bituin Ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Held in September 2017 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, the PMPC gave tribute to the country’s movie icons for their great achievements and contributions in the movie industry spanning five decades – Santos for 54 years and Aunor for 50 years. The two also shared the Best Actress plum – Aunor for ‘Kabisera’ and Santos for ‘Everything About Her’.

We squeezed ourselves out backstage for a group photo with the showbiz icons. After all, it’s one rare and truly memorable moment to be with them.

My 3rd close encounter with La Aunor was on February 4, 2020, right after the induction of the newly elected PMPC officers. It was the birthday celebration of Rodel Fernando, our immediate past president, at a club house in Quezon City.

Ate Guy came in a simple t-shirt & jeans outfit, sans makeup.  She greeted Rodel and have a short chitchat with us. Minus the fanfare, no videos and interview recording, she sat among us and spent about an hour telling how she met Rodel who later became her a dear friend, confidant, anak-anakan, and publicist rolled into one – until her death.

The 4th was during the 40th PMPC Star Awards for Movies held at a theatre within the Ateneo University campus in Quezon City. Aunor, together with Santos, Christopher De Leon, and Piolo Pascual was recognized as Dekada Award honorees (based on acting PMPC Star awards they’ve won in the last 40 years.)

This time, Aunor shared the spotlight with Maricel Soriano, both as winners as Best Actress for “Pieta” and “In Her Mother’s Eyes,” respectively.

Visibly unwell yet Nora came in her best tuxedo pair and she was named Female Celebrity of the Night by events sponsors.

Throughout the program, the superstar sat on one corner backstage instead of joining other winners at the theater’s front seat. This gave people on the backstage the chance for photo ops with her. For myself, I decided to respect her boundaries, let her rest in her chosen corner: no selfie or photo this time.

After receiving her awards and doing her share of presenting the Nora Aunor Lifetime Achievement citation to Liza Lorena, we expected her to leave at once. But lo and behold, La Aunor stayed some more time to meet an old avid fan who travelled far and took her chance to meet her idol personally!

My last encounter with the esteemed icon of Philippine showbiz is something I will cherish in my heart. She laid in serenity in her white coffin surrounded by white flowers representing the purity of her heart – having shared her life and God-given talents across generations of creatives and admirers.

The world is in chaos but the superstar’s wake emanates stillness and calm as she is surrounded by her children and loved ones, her loyal, adulating fans, and showbiz industry citizens she had shared her colorful life with.

Have a peaceful journey into our Heavenly Father’s arm, Ate Guy!