Taguig: A state funeral fit for a national artist was held for Nora Aunor, one of the pillars of Philippine entertainment, at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig on Tuesday. Aunor, born Nora Villamayor, passed away April 16 at age 71 due to acute respiratory failure following an angioplasty.
According to Philippines News Agency, while Libingan ng mga Bayani is near Heritage Park, where her wake took place, Aunor's remains were brought first to the Metropolitan Theater in Manila for a state necrological service. In a message relayed by National Commission for the Culture and the Arts chairman Victorino Manalo, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he will miss how Aunor, known as the "Superstar," performed as a singer and actress.
President Marcos mentioned that Aunor's performances always mirrored and stirred the emotions of audiences. He noted that Aunor taught him that it is not necessary to shout or sing loudly to gain notice.
Veteran actress Charo Santos-Concio reflected on Aunor's rise from humble beginnings as a water vendor in Iriga to becoming a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. Concio, a former executive of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN, highlighted Aunor's role in inspiring hope among millions of Filipinos, emphasizing that her impact extended beyond the characters she portrayed.
In his thanksgiving message, Ian de Leon, Aunor's son with former husband Christopher de Leon, paid tribute to his mother's dedication to her art and advocacy. Ian, who also pursued a career in acting, shared how Aunor's passion was evident not only in her career but also in her commitment to bringing true and meaningful Filipino stories to life.
Aunor, affectionately known as "Ate Guy," first gained national attention by winning the Tawag ng Tanghalan singing contest in 1967. Her illustrious entertainment career spanned over six decades, and she was set to film a movie with fellow legend Hilda Koronel this year before her passing. After a long wait, Aunor was recognized as a National Artist in 2022, shortly before the end of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency.
