True artist for the people: Nora Aunor laid to rest
FINAL GOODBYE Ian and Lotlot de Leon, two of actress-singer and National Artist Nora Aunor’s children, offer flowers at her state funeral held on Tuesday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.—NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, 71, was laid to rest with full military honors on Tuesday noon, April 22, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
Before Aunor’s cortege arrived at the grave site for the culmination of the state funeral and hero’s burial, she was honored with a flower petal shower and metallic gold confetti following a necrological service held at the Metropolitan Theater in the city of Manila.
More eulogies and tributes were offered to the actress and singer dubbed the Superstar, with her Philippine flag-draped casket at the center of the stage, adorned with funeral wreaths and a black-and-white portrait behind it.
The program, which started with the arrival honors at 8:30 a.m. at the Arroceros Forest Park, was marked with solemnity.
It featured an audiovisual presentation featuring Aunor’s contributions to Philippine cinema and music, and other pursuits.
National Artist Ricky Lee, filmmaker Joel Lamangan, former ABS-CBN chief executive officer Charo Santos-Concio and National Archives of the Philippines executive director Victorino Mapa Manalo, who represented President Marcos, honored Aunor’s life in their speeches.
Lee, a close friend and writer of Aunor’s landmark film “Himala,” spoke of how she broke conventions and changed perspectives in the industry while touching the lives of millions of Filipinos across generations. “She chose not only to be a ‘Superstar’ but a true artist for the people. Her heart was for the masses,” he said.
Reading the President’s speech, Manalo said Aunor was loved by Filipinos because she was the first celebrity artist who reached out to them, not the other way around. He also thanked her for showing to the world the brilliance of Filipino talent.
Day of national mourning
Signed the day before her burial, Mr. Marcos and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Proclamation 870, which declared April 22 a day of mourning.
Aunor worked on 170 films in her more than 50 years as an actress, singer and film producer. She was conferred the rank and title of national artist in 2022 in recognition of her contributions to film and broadcast arts.
Though more known for work in cinema, at some point she also excelled in theater.
Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in Iriga City on May 21, 1953, Aunor rose from humble beginnings to become the face of a golden era in Philippine cinema.
She passed away on April 16 due to acute respiratory failure and is survived by her children, Ian, Lotlot, Matet, Kenneth and Kiko de Leon and grandchildren.
Hometown tribute
Tita Orbina-Palanio, 73, a childhood playmate of Aunor, remembered her as a down-to-earth and thoughtful person.
“When we were kids, most of the time we were at the train station selling water and other stuff so we could make money for school,” Orbina-Palanio told the Inquirer in an interview Monday.
She said Aunor never changed, even as they grew older.
Elena Malate, a former elementary school classmate, said, “Despite her busy schedule, she never forgot us. Sometimes she’d just call to say ‘Hi.’ And it meant a lot to me.”
She also recalled how Aunor quietly sent financial aid and relief goods to Iriga after Typhoon “Kristine” hit Bicol in October last year, without seeking any publicity.
“She didn’t do it for recognition. She did it because she cared. That’s the kind of person she was,” she said. —With a report from Michael B. Jaucian INQ
