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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Not a primadonna: Bicol solon remembers 'Superstar' Nora Aunor for her humility

Not a primadonna: Bicol solon remembers 'Superstar' Nora Aunor for her humility

Published Apr 19, 2025 06:40 am

At A Glance

  • Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has joined the long list of personalities giving tribute to the late showbiz icon Nora Aunor, citing her humility despite her status as the "Superstar".

Nora Aunor: 'Namatay na ako'Nora Aunor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has joined the long list of personalities giving tribute to the late showbiz icon Nora Aunor, citing her humility despite her status as the "Superstar".

 

“My family and I join not only our provincemates in Camarines Sur and fellow Bicolanos in the region but all other Filipinos as well in our country and overseas in praying for the eternal repose of the soul, and celebrating the enduring legacy, of the one true superstar Nora Aunor,” Villafuerte said in a statement Saturday, April 19.

“She was truly blessed as an actress and singer, as her unparalleled achievements in the entertainment world over some six decades attest,” the National Unity Party (NUP) president said of the multi-awarded Aunor.

“But what is amazing is that for all her God-given talents, she—as her family, friends, peers, coworkers and fans proclaim—led a life of humility and generosity to others, particularly the needy, and minus the primadonna ways of stars of her equal, or even of lower stature, often feel entitled to,” he noted.

Aunor died of  acute respiratory failure on Wednesday, April 16 after going through a medical procedure at The Medical City in Pasig City. She was 71.

“Ate Guy (Nora)’s passing spells a great loss for our people, especially the masa who were mesmerized by her meteoric rise to stardom from her impoverished beginnings as a train station vendor  in our city of Iriga on the back of her golden voice and, later, her unparalleled acting chops,” Villafuerte said of his fellow Bicolano.

 

“Ate Guy will certainly be missed—a great deal,” he further said.

 

There will be a state funeral for Aunor at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Such is her privelege after being conferred the title of National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022.

 

Barely in her teens, Aunor (real name: Nora Cabaltera Villamayor), broke through the entertainment world with her victories in amateur singing contests and later in the then-highly popular talent search show “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on national TV.

 

She then secured movie contracts leading to almost 200 films, a number of which netted awards in both local and foreign film competitions and cemented her status as the “Superstar” and one of the greatest Filipina actresses.

 

Among her most acclaimed performances were in cinema classics including “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos", “Minsa’y May Isang Gamu-Gamo", “Bona", “The Flor Contemplacion Story", “Andrea Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina?", “Bakit May Kahapon Pa?", “Thy Womb”, and “Himala".

 

With “Andrea Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina?", Aunor reaped a grand slam after winning the Best Actress Awards in five award-giving institutions in 1990—Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Urian), Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).



She also won awards in film festivals in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

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