Director Alix hopes ‘Kontrabida’ honors Nora Aunor’s legacy

Filmmaker Adolf Alix Jr. has joined the chorus of tributes pouring in for National Artist Nora Aunor, expressing both grief over her passing and hope that her final unreleased film, Kontrabida, will be shown to the public as a fitting farewell to one of Philippine cinema’s greatest icons.

In a heartfelt message, Alix shared his deep admiration and personal memories of working with the Superstar. “I am always in awe of how she transforms into her character the moment she is on the set,” he wrote. “She always tells me that she only ‘feels’ what the scene is about and who the character is.”

Kontrabida, directed by Alix, was one of Aunor’s final projects before her passing on April 16. Known for her fearless performances and groundbreaking roles, Aunor was set to once again challenge expectations with a role that promised complexity, vulnerability, and power. The film explores the gray area behind villainy, offering a character study only someone of Aunor’s caliber could truly bring to life.

“It is always a joy to work with Ate Guy,” Alix said, referring to her by the name she is affectionately called in the industry. “You always learn something new on every project—about her process and how unafraid and unconventional she is in choosing her next steps. She always tries to break barriers and looks forward to creating memorable characters onscreen.”

Alix’s words painted a portrait not just of a consummate artist, but of a deeply human woman—warm, reflective, and endlessly devoted to her craft. He described their off-camera moments as invaluable: long conversations about life, filmmaking, and the price of stardom. “Hers is not always a wonderful life,” he said, “but she wins them with her faith and perseverance.”

Despite personal struggles and health challenges, Aunor remained committed to her fans and her work. “There were moments when she was not feeling well,” Alix recalled, “but when she sees her fans, she will go to them and be invigorated by their cheers and presence.”

The director revealed that he and Aunor were already planning a reunion project with some of Philippine cinema’s best artists for July. “We were just talking about the exciting characters you should do when you have fully recovered,” he said, mourning the project that would now only live in memory.

Still, Alix believes Kontrabida should take center stage as the tribute she deserves.

“It is my hope that her film Kontrabida be finally released as a fitting tribute to her,” he declared. “Ate Guy, yours is a story that we will never be tired of sharing. And your legacy will surely live on.”

As the industry and her fans prepare to say goodbye, Kontrabida stands as more than just a film—it is a final performance, a symbolic closing curtain for a woman who spent her life giving everything to the screen, and who will remain, forever, the Superstar.