As the whole nation mourns the death of Nora Aunor, lawmakers on Thursday, April 17, paid their tribute to the national artist and one of the pillars of the Philippine entertainment industry. 

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, a fellow Bicolano, extended his deepest condolences to the family of the late actress and to the whole entertainment industry, saying, she is one of the country’s artists whom he admire.

In 2015, Escudero was among those who signed the Senate resolution that honored her for a Lifetime Achievement Award from the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA). 

“Paalam at maraming salamat, Ate Guy. Mananatili ang iyong ningnng at alaala sa puso ng bawat Pilipino (Farewell and thank you very much, Ate Guy. Your light and memory will remain in the hearts of every Filipino),” Escudero said in a statement.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, an actor-turned politician, also expressed his sadness over her death. 

“Isang tunay na inspirasyon si Ate Guy sa pagpupunyagi sa buhay gamit ang angking talento upang maabot ang tugatog ng tagumpay. Sa bawat pagganap sa pelikula at pag-angkin sa entablado, ipinadama niya sa atin ang tunay na diwa ng sining (Ate Guy is a true inspiration in striving in life using her talent to reach the pinnacle of success. With every film performance and stage presence, she made us feel the true spirit of art),” Estrada said.

“Wala pang nakakapantay sa kanyang mga naging ambag sa industriya. Isa siyang tunay na alamat sa larangan ng sining at pelikulang Filipino (No one has ever equaled her contributions to the industry. She is a true legend in the field of Filipino art and film),” the lawmaker stressed. 

“Sa kanyang paglisan, sariwain natin ang makulay na kwento ng buhay, ang makasaysayang karera, ang mga pamanang kailanman ay hindi malilimutan at kakaibang talento na kinilala sa buong mundo ng ating nag-iisang Superstar (With her passing, let us relive the colorful life story, the historic career, the unforgettable legacies, and the unique talent of our one and only superstar that was recognized worldwide),” he said.

Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo also said the party is deeply saddened by the passing of the nationl artist for film and broadcast arts.

Salo said Aunor is truly “an icon, a voice of the people, and a beloved symbol of Filipino excellence.”

“KABAYAN Partylist extends its sincerest condolences to her family, loved ones, and the millions of Filipinos who were inspired by her artistry and compassion. We remain grateful for the trust and support she extended to KABAYAN Partylist,” Salo said in a separate statement.

“Her legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of the Filipino people,” he added.

Sen. Imee Marcos also commended as “never just a phenomenal actress.”

“The nation is draped in black with the passing of its brightest star. The entire country mourns as the final curtain falls on a National Artist — a towering icon in the history of Philippine film and television,” Marcos said.

“Nora Aunor was never just a phenomenal actress. She was the voice of the voiceless, the face of the everyday Filipino, and the soul of a nation in search of truth, justice, and identity. Her artistry didn’t merely grace the screen — it challenged it, elevated it, and transformed it,” she further said. 

“Through decades of unforgettable performances, she pierced through generations, inspired cultural awakening, and forever changed the landscape of Philippine cinema,” added Marcos.

Marcos said she had the profound honor of working with Aunor during one of the most defining moments in both their lives— the creation of Himala under the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines. 

“As Director-General, I witnessed the depth of her commitment and the brilliance of her craft. Her portrayal in Himala remains, to this day, not just one of the most powerful in Asian cinematic history, but a spiritual and cultural mirror held up to the Filipino soul,” Imee recalled.

“Nora was never merely an artista — she was a force of nature. A woman of quiet strength, fearless choices, and authenticity. In an industry that often favored glamour over grit, she stood firm, choosing roles that told the stories of the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten — and in doing so, rendered them unforgettable,” she reiterated.

As far as she is concerned, Marcos said the legendary national artist “could turn silence into poetry, stillness into tension, and pain into grace that lingered long after the screen faded to black.”

“As we bid farewell to a legend, we remember not just the superstar, but the storyteller. The truth-teller. The miracle-worker,” she stressed.