Although veteran actress Elizabeth Oropesa did not attend the wake of National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor, this does not imply she was not close to the multi-awarded star.

Elizabeth revealed that she was very close to Nora, despite not having had the opportunity to work with her on any projects.

"Hindi ako nagpupunta sa wake. Wala naman siya roon eh. Yung mga taong katulad niya, direcho na yun (sa langit). (I don't go to wakes. She's not there. People like her, they go straight (to heaven)," Elizabeth said this during an ambush interview at the recent celebrity premiere of the drama movie Fatherland, which is produced by Bentria Productions in Araneta City.

Elizabeth spoke fondly of Nora, painting a picture of a truly extraordinary soul. Nora, whose light filled the lives of those around her, passed away on April 16, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and cherished memories.

"Ang wake naman is para lamang sa ibang tao na magkita at magkasama-sama sila uli who were friends of hers. (The wake is just for other people who were friends of hers to meet and be together again)," the award-winning actress said.

Elizabeth, 70, was asked if she was worried about getting negative energy if she attended wakes. She answered, "Hindi naman. If you know me, you will know what I am talking about. But I rarely go to wakes. Matagal na panahon na. Marami akong experiences dyan. (Not really. It's been a long time. I have a lot of experiences there.)

"I know naman wala siya doon. The moment I found out she died, automatic yun na pinagdasal ko na siya agad. I know direcho na siya sa taas. (I know she's not there. The moment I found out she had died, I automatically prayed for her right away. I know she's gone straight to heaven).

"Hindi kami nagkatrabaho pero marami kaming moments. Susmaryosep. Marami kaming personal moments na hindi ko na pwedeng ikwento. Okay na yun sa akin. (We didn't work together but we had many moments. Jesus Christ. We had many personal moments that I can't talk about anymore. That's okay with me).

"Parang kami ni Maria (Maricel Soriano). Walang nakaka-alam na super close kami until she interviewed me for her vlog last month. Maraming nagulat na close pala kami. We never really worked together. (It's like Maria (Maricel Soriano) and me. No one knew we were super close until she interviewed me for her vlog last month. Many were surprised that we were close)," she said.

There's no stopping Elizabeth. Soon, she will promote another drama movie, "Graduation Day," starring Kapuso actor Jeric Gonzales. It is produced by Bentria Productions, under Engr. Ben Austria.

After more than five decades in the entertainment industry, Elizabeth enjoys every moment, including being active in scuba diving worldwide.

"I'm very active in scuba diving. In fact, I just arrived from Mexico kung saan ako nag-dive. I travel to different countries to dive. I've been diving for 30 years now. It's my passion. Aside from showbiz, my clinic, and painting, yun ang fall back ko. Hindi ko na talaga matatalikuran ang showbiz because iba talaga ito eh. (I'm very active in scuba diving. In fact, I just arrived from Mexico where I dived. I travel to different countries to dive. I've been diving for 30 years now. It's my passion. Aside from showbiz, my clinic, and painting, that's my fallback. I can't really turn my back on showbiz because it's really different)," she said.

With the changing landscape of entertainment elsewhere, Elizabeth hopes the Philippine government will support the movie industry. She emphasized that the film industry faces significant challenges and urgently requires governmental support. 

The actress elaborated on the various ways the industry has been impacted, highlighting the financial difficulties that many production companies are struggling to overcome. 

With box office revenues declining and streaming services changing the landscape, she believes that strategic government backing, whether through financial aid, tax incentives, or enhanced marketing efforts, could help revive the industry and ensure its vibrant future.

"Sana tulungan tayo ng gobyerno na nagpo-produce ng pelikula para sa atin. Yung may budget at pipili sila ng mga artista at direktor para wala tayong problema. Tapos ilalaban nila yun sa abroad. Wala tayong ganyan eh.

"Kahit na three to four or five movies a year lang. Yung sila ang nagpo-produce at hindi tayo mag-aalala sa budget. Of course, they will approve everything. At dapat magkakasundo ang government (bilang producer), direktor at mga artista," Elizabeth added.

She praises Filipino directors and movie stars for their talent, despite having a limited budget and reduced shooting days.

"Pero naman, doon mo malalaman kung gaano kagagaling ang mga Pilipinong director. Biro mo makakatapos sila ng pelikula in six days?

"Ang gagaling nila ngayon because of that. Pinag mamalaki ko yan. Yung mga foreigners kailangan nila ng maraming araw at pera pati na rin sa dami ng tao na involve. Eh tayo, kapag nag-shoot abroad, yung artista, sila rin ang makeup artist. Tumutulong sa pagdala ng mga gamit. Yan ang sinasabi ko. Ang galing ng Pinoy.

"Tapos halimbawa dapat ang budget ay P5 million pero P1 million lang ang naibigay ng producer, pagkakasyahin nila yan. Gagawa sila ng paraan," she said.

On dream roles, Elizabeth said: "Meron pa rin. Siguro hindi yan mawawala. Hindi pa ako gumawa ng pelikulang bulag ako or naging angel. Pero kasi malaki ang dibdib ko hindi  bagay ang maging angel. Inisip ko na yan na magpabawas ng dibdib. Masakit pala at matagal ang recovery. Noong panahon ko hindi naman uso ang breast enhancement. Wala pa ngang sunblock noon. Ang sunblock namin noon ay baby oil para golden ang kulay mo. Wala ring derma noon. I have nothing against bottocks pero hindi ako nagpapa bottocks kasi pang-drama ang face ko eh."

Elizabeth said she needed her face to react during dramatic scenes, so she does not need facial enhancements.

"May nakikita ako ang gaganda ng mukha nila. Kaso hindi gumagalaw ang mukha nila. Parang na-embalsamo. Pero ang ganda nila in fairness. Pwede yun sa beauty contest pero sa tulad ko na drama ang roles, ayoko ipagalaw ang mukha ko. Gusto kong tumanda ng natural," she said.

On working with the current stars, Elizabeth said: "Wala naman akong masamang tinapay. Kahit sino pwede kong makatrabaho. Sino pa ba? Wala na talaga. Ang daming mga bata."

Elizabeth stated that she would still accept daring roles, akin to a May-December romance, but it would all depend on the director. "Depende sa director. Maski anong project yan, kapag hindi magaling ang director, hindi yan lalabas na maganda. Ang importante sa akin direktor."