National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor has been unable to sing for a long time due to a botched surgery in Japan several years ago.

Nora admits crying over the loss of her "golden voice" during an interview for ABS-CBN in 2012, adding that she becomes emotional while watching singers perform.

But during a preview of her upcoming movie "Pieta" in Cubao, Quezon City recently, Nora could be heard singing in a capella "Atin Cu Pung Singsing" (I have a ring), a traditional folk song from Pampanga, in one of the scenes of the film.

"Natuwa talaga kami dahil after so many years, narinig naming kumanta uli si Ate Guy," said director Adolf Alix Jr. during a quick media conference after the film screening.

(We were delighted because we heard Ate Guy sing again after so many years.)

When asked if Nora could sing now, the director: "Hindi ko po masagot. Siguro siya na lamang ang tanungin ninyo. Medyo nahirapan siya kumanta rito. Pero dahil alam niya ang importansya ng kanta sa pelikula, pinilit pa rin niyang gawin."

(I can't answer. Maybe you should ask her. She had a little trouble singing here. But because she knows the importance of the song in the movie, she insists on doing it anyway.)

Nora also looks very unglamorous in her new movie. The director admired her even more because she was not afraid to change her appearance in the movie for her role.

"Hindi takot si Ate Guy na mabago ang hitsura niya lalo na kung sakto ito sa role na kanyang ginagampanan. Minsan siya na mismo ang nag-aayos sa sarili niya," the director said.

(Ate Guy is fearless in changing her appearance, especially if it is right for her role.)

"Pieta," produced by Alternative Vision Cinema, was intended for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival. However, it was not chosen as an official entry.

Adolf said the film will be shown in the first quarter of 2024. The movie also stars Jaclyn Jose, Gina Alajar, Alfred Vargas, and Ina Raymundo.