Joel Lamangan remembers Nora Aunor: 'Her greatness was rooted in truth'

Acclaimed filmmaker Joel Lamangan, who directed six of Nora Aunor’s most memorable films, penned a heartfelt tribute to the late National Artist — remembering her unmatched artistry, deep compassion, and enduring legacy. To him, she was not just an actress but a person whose heart beat for truth and for others.

“She’s gone. Ate Guy — my actress in six films we made together: 'Muling Umawit ang Puso,' 'The Flor Contemplacion Story,' 'Bakit May Kahapon Pa,' 'Sidhi,' 'Hustisya,' and 'Isa Pang Bahaghari.' In each of these films, her brilliance shone through, portraying roles with such depth that she earned Best Actress awards both locally and internationally,” Lamangan wrote.

More than the accolades, he reflected on the raw authenticity Nora brought to every performance.

“She was never a product of acting workshops or formal training. Her excellence came from the life she lived — everything she endured and experienced from childhood to stardom. That’s what shaped her truth as an actress.”

Their creative partnership was grounded in honesty and artistic integrity. Every project began with a long conversation — often deep, sometimes heated — about what the film should say and how it should be said.

“At the end of it, she’d always say, ‘Ikaw na ang bahala, Direk. Naniniwala naman ako sa’yo.’ That was her respect — not just for me, but for the craft.”

What made Aunor even more unforgettable, Lamangan shared, was her heart.

He recalled how she would look out for everyone on set, especially crew members who earned the least.

“On the last day of shooting, she would always give money to the workers — no fanfare, just quiet generosity. After wrapping Flor Contemplacion at the Santa Cruz City Jail, she lined up the prisoners who had helped during filming and handed each of them money. The warden warned me to stop her, fearing an escape. She simply said, ‘Walang tatakas. Sinabihan ko sila.’ And true enough, not a single prisoner ran.”

Another story captured her quiet empathy.

“While filming Sidhi, during lunch break, Ate Guy saw an old farmer sitting under a mango tree. She approached him and asked why he looked sad. The man said his carabao had died and he had no way to plow his land. When she asked how much a new one would cost, he said ₱15,000. Without hesitation, she asked her assistant for the money and gave it to him — asking only that he not tell anyone where it came from.”

Lamangan also emphasized how deeply Nora respected her fellow actors. She never imposed her methods or tried to outshine anyone.

“Once, I asked why she didn’t guide a co-actor through a difficult scene. She said, ‘My experience is different from theirs. They feel differently. We must respect that.’ That was her philosophy.”

Toward the end of his tribute, Lamangan revealed they had been planning one final project, "The Nora Aunor Story," to be written by their dear friend Ricky Lee. A producer had already committed — they were simply waiting for the right time.

“It’s a shame she’s gone before we could do it — but we will carry on. We will tell her story.”

His closing words served as a tribute not only to her artistry but to the quiet strength she carried:

“Farewell, Ate Guy. You will forever live in my memory and in my heart. Until we meet again. Mabuhay ka.”

Through the eyes of a director who witnessed her brilliance and compassion, Nora Aunor emerges not just as a National Artist, but as a national treasure — whose voice, presence, and truth will echo for generations.