Nora Aunor’s friend and former love team Cocoy Laurel visits her wake

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(From left) Lotlot de Leon, Cocoy Laurel, and Nora Aunor. Images: Facebook/Celia Diaz Laurel, AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Nora Aunor‘s former love team and friend Cocoy Laurel were among those who came to pay their last respects to the Superstar at The Heritage Park in Taguig.

Photos of the visit was posted on the Facebook page of Cocoy’s mother, Celia Diaz Laurel, the wife of the late Vice President Salvador Laurel, wherein the formerly popular singer and love interest of the late Superstar and National Artist could be seen talking to the latter’s daughter, Lotlot de Leon.

“Cocoy visits Guy. For those asking about Cocoy’s absence, he and his family are going through a similar ordeal, which is why he hasn’t been able to visit Nora,” the post read.

Cocoy was also praised for “still finding the strength and time” to witness Aunor’s final moments despite his own “ordeal”.

“Despite this, we have but admiration for Cocoy for still finding the strength and time to be there for his friend even for the last time. We will share more details about this ordeal that Cocoy and his family are facing when we’re able,” the post read.

“Let us be very careful with our words, especially on social media. We don’t know what others are going through. Let’s choose to be kind always,” it added.

Incidentally, Cocoy’s sister, Suzie, also died on April 19, just two days after Aunor’s death. Suzie’s remains also lie at The Heritage Park, and whose inurnment will be on the same day as Aunor’s, April 22.

While Cocoy’s father and grandfather Jose P. Laurel were steeped in politics, the rest of his family enjoy popularity in show business. He is the elder brother of the 1980s singer Iwi Laurel, and uncle of actress Denise Laurel.

Cocoy and Aunor’s onscreen tandem was a hit among audiences in the 1970s, working together in the films “Lollipops and Roses,” “Lollipops and Roses at Burong Talangka,” and “Impossible Dream,” and they also joined forces in duet tracks.

They soon developed a close friendship off-screen and have always sung praises of one another on multiple occasions. Apart from his partnership with Aunor, Cocoy is also well known for his performances on stage, paying homage to his mother’s art as a theater actress. Among his more prominent thespian performances are for portraying the Engineer in the 1995 staging of “Miss Saigon” in London, United Kingdom, and Sydney, Australia,  and as Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables” in the West End staging of the musical.