FROM LEFT: Nestor Cuartero, National Artist Nora Aunor, and director Elwood Perez

At her 70th birthday celebration at Seda Hotel in Vertis North on May 20, Nora Aunor whispered to me, she couldn’t ask for anything more in life. Not wealth, not riches. She’s been there, done that.

The 2022 National Artist for Film said she’s very grateful for the complete attendance of her entire family, her children, led by Ian, Lotlot, and Matet de Leon and their children.

The dinner party gathered many of Nora’s old-time friends: Bembol Roco, Ricky Davao, Marissa Delgado, Elwood Perez, Snooky Serna, Alfred Vargas, and Liz Alindogan, among others.

Nora and Bembol Rocco

In her speech, Marissa Delgado unwittingly addressed the superstar as National Hero.

In a special birthday video, we noticed how Ian de Leon sounds exactly like his father, Christopher de Leon, voice, inflection, and all, as the former matures.

Ricky Davao recalled that as a child, he was among 5,000 fans who lined up at Nora’s house in Paranaque in the 70s just to take a glimpse of the superstar.

Nora and Marissa Delgado

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Funny how TV stardom can play tricks on real-life partners.

Gabbi Garcia has been with fellow actor Khalil Ramos for six years. In her forthcoming series, Unbreak My Heart, she enacts her most mature role so far opposite ABS-CBN actor, Joshua Garcia. If the series turns out to be a hit, they may yet become a loveteam.

Barbie Forteza is officially with Jak Roberto, a fellow GMA artist. Yet, Barbie clinched stardom in the arms of David Licauco, her partner
in Maria Clara at Ibarra.

Now, Barbie and David are being built up as a loveteam, leaving Jak out in the cold. Poor Jak has been making up for lost chances by posting his sexy pictures, in hardened trunks, on social media.

Barbie and David are currently in South Korea to shoot their first movie, a rom-com.

Matet de Leon

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PASSERBY:

Postpone the scheduled barangay elections throughout Negros Oriental.
Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo aired this appeal May 22 while describing the political situation in the province as tension-filled still, following the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo in March.
Yet, life goes on in Dumaguete, he said during a Pan de Sal Forum at Kamuning Bakery.

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Two days earlier, in the same morning forum, PAMALAKAYA spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo appealed to the Japanese government to stop the planned release of 1.3 million tons of treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima power plant to the Pacific Ocean anytime between June and August this year.

The country’s biggest association of fisherfolk expressed alarm over the protracted ill effects such a massive pollutant could cause on marine life and the ocean environment.

Nora and Nestor Cuartero

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My new book of personal essays, Easy Listening (UST Publishing House), will be at the Philippine Book Festival June 3-4 at World Trade Center in Pasay City. I will be there on June 3, 2-4 PM for book signing.

Meanwhile, the USTPH Grand Book Launch will be held at the forthcoming SINAG Book Festival.