Nora vows to quit smoking after being hospitalized for bronchitis (Photo by KJ Rosales); (inset) Mario O'Hara

MANILA, Philippines – Three days after news of Nora Aunor being hospitalized broke out, “Sa Ngalan ng Ina (SNNI)” director Mario O’Hara allays fans’ worry by assuring that she’s okay and already fit to work.

"Okay na siya. Puwede na siya [mag-taping] next week," shared O’Hara in an interview with PEP posted on Oct. 6.

The veteran director articulated that the Superstar suffered from "bronchitis, na may hika." Nevertheless he related that she’s okay and seemingly healthy. "Tayo na nga nang tayo,” he said of the patient at the hospital.

According to him, Aunor has two more days’ worth of scenes to complete for their TV5 miniseries. He may be unaware when Aunor would be released from the hospital but he is, however, informed that the doctor advised Aunor to take one week break from her showbiz commitments in order to fully recuperate.

To which he replied, "Okay 'yon, para mas makapagpahinga talaga siya.

"Hindi lang natin alam ang mga susunod pang development. Pero optimistic naman tayo na mas bubuti pa [ang lagay ni Nora]," he quipped.

Asked if he thinks the Superstar would be strong enough to tape till wee hours of the morning once again with just a week’s rest, he said, "Palagay ko naman. At kakayanin niya. Knowing her, e, fighter talaga 'yan."

One of the purported causes of her being rushed to the hospital was due to smoking. Speaking on behalf of Aunor, O’Hara addressed the issue and said, "Wala na, sabi niya, ititigil na raw niya [pertaining to smoking]."

Regardless of this incident, O’Hara was confident that Aunor’s hospitalization won’t weigh down on their scheduled “SNNI ” tapings.

"Tumatakbo ngayon ang Week 1 [Oct. 3-7]. ‘Yung susunod, Week 2 [Oct.10-14], sarado na rin 'yon.  Yung Week 3 [Oct. 17-21], may kailangan pang isarang mga eksena.

"Yung week 4 [Oct.24-28], mayro'n na ring mga nakunang eksena. At ‘yun ang tatapusin pagbalik ni Guy, most probably by Wednesday [Oct. 12]," he shared.

In addition, he expressed his willingness to make necessary arrangements and changes with regard to the production to accommodate the star’s needs.

"Dalawang taping days na lang naman si Guy, madali na 'yon.

"Mayroon pa sana siyang taping sa Taal [Batangas], pero titingnan din natin kung puwede nang dito na rin [sa Metro Manila] gawin, para hindi naman siya masyadong mahirapan sa biyahe," stated O’Hara.