THE one and only icon of Philippine cinema, Nora C. Villamayor, commonly recognized as Nora Aunor, has passed away. She was 71 years of age.
The announcement was made via a Facebook update by her son, Kristoffer Ian De Leon, on April 16. “We love you Ma… alam ng Diyos kung gano ka namin ka mahal.. pahinga ka na po Ma.. nandito ka lang sa puso at isipan namin.. (God knows how deeply we cherish you.. rest now Ma.. you remain in our hearts and minds..),” he expressed.
He elaborated in a subsequent post: “She was the core of our family — a fountain of unconditional love, strength, and warmth. Her generosity, insight, and lovely spirit impacted everyone who crossed her path. Her absence will be profoundly felt and she will be eternally celebrated.”
The reason for Ms. Aunor’s passing has not been made public by her family, although it has been reported that she underwent a surgical procedure at a medical facility in Pasig City. The seasoned actress had been facing health challenges that curtailed her public engagements in recent years.
Born in Iriga, Camarines Sur in 1953, Ms. Aunor was hailed as the quintessential performer, mastering the arts of singing, dancing, and acting, and for shattering norms as a morena superstar during an era largely dominated by mestizas.
She was famously “discovered” while singing and selling her goods at a train station. Her breakthrough year was 1967 when she triumphed in the singing contest Tawag ng Tanghalan. That same year, she hosted the musical variety show Superstar and made her cinematic debut in All Over the World. As a recording artist, she breathed life into timeless melodies such as “Pearly Shells,” “Maria Leonora Theresa,” and “Dandansoy.”
Ms. Aunor would later achieve Hall of Fame status in the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards, thanks to numerous acclaimed films throughout her career: Minsa’y May Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976), Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Bona (1980), Himala (1982), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), Thy Womb (2012), and more recently, Mananambal (2024), alongside an array of others. One of her nicknames was “Ate Guy,” which reminded many of her film partnership with actor Tirso Cruz III, as they were collectively known as “Guy and Pip” during the 1970s.
Her extensive filmography, encompassing 170 films, is “surpassed only by the volume of accolades and honors she has garnered from both local and international bodies,” the National Commission for Culture and the Arts stated in a release. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was honored as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022.
Film critic Noel Vera commented on her legacy in 2022, stating “Nora Aunor is arguably the finest actress in Philippine cinema… not solely due to her immense talent but also because she had the chance to collaborate with some of the Philippines’ most illustrious filmmakers on many of their best works, creating a few notable projects herself.”
Among the filmmakers she collaborated with were Cirio Santiago, Lamberto Avellana, Gerardo de Leon, Lupita Kashiwahara, Gil Portes, Joel Lamangan, Lino Brocka, Mario O’Hara, and Ishmael Bernal, with the latter two directing what are often considered her greatest films — Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976) and Bulaklak ng City Jail (1984) with O’Hara, as well as Himala (1982) with Bernal.
Ms. Aunor also ventured into politics, making an unsuccessful run for a congressional seat in 2022 as a party-list nominee for the National Organization for Responsive Advocacies for the Arts. She declared her candidacy for this year’s elections under the party-list group People’s Champ Guardians but withdrew months later due to health concerns.
Previously married to actor Christopher De Leon, she leaves behind their biological son Ian, and four adopted children: Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth. Ms. Aunor’s passing occurred three days following the death of “Asia’s Queen of Songs” Pilita Corrales. They were related through Lotlot De Leon, whose former spouse, Ramon Christopher “Monching” Gutierrez, is the son of Ms. Corrales.
“She inspired generations with her unparalleled artistry, elegance, and commitment to her craft. Her voice, presence, and creativity established a legacy that will never diminish,” Ms. De Leon remarked about her mother. “She was a star not merely on screen, but also in the hearts of many — and stars like hers never cease to shine.”
The Directors’ Guild of the Philippines shared a tribute to Ms. Aunor on Facebook. “To her admirers, she was Ate Guy, but beyond that, she was the voice of the unheard, the visage of the everyday Filipino, and the essence of a people who refuse to be overlooked,” their message conveyed.
Although her substantial film portfolio and devoted following sparked competition with “Star of All Seasons” Vilma Santos, the two actresses maintained a strong friendship. Ms. Santos offered her sympathies in an Instagram story.
“Rest in peace, mare. Ms. Nora Aunor! Our Superstar and National Artist… Maraming Salamat! (Thank you very much!),” she stated.
Information regarding the wake will be shared shortly. — Brontë H. Lacsamana
