Daily Tribune
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos visit the wake of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor late Monday evening to pay their final respects, 21 April.
Photograph by Jonathan Cellona/PPA POOL
The final night of the public viewing for National Artist and Philippine superstar Nora Aunor was a heartfelt tribute filled with love, tears, and admiration, as stars from showbiz and figures from politics gathered at the Heritage Chapels in Taguig City to pay their last respects.
A solemn atmosphere enveloped the chapel on Monday evening as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos, arrived at around 6 p.m. to offer their condolences. Their presence underscored the national significance of Aunor’s passing — a life and legacy that transcended art and resonated in the Filipinos’ soul.
The chapel was a constellation of stars — both past and present — whose lives and careers were shaped, inspired, and forever marked by Nora Aunor.
Among those who came to honor her were award-winning actress Judy Ann Santos and her husband, actor-host Ryan Agoncillo. Also present were Jukebox Queens Imelda Papin and Eva Eugenio, actresses Janice de Belen and Patricia Javier, and fellow legends Malu Barry, Beverly Salviejo, Celia Rodriguez and Bembol Roco.
Perhaps the most touching presence was that of Tirso Cruz III, Aunor’s iconic on-screen partner and one of her most beloved leading men.
Alongside them were acclaimed filmmakers Joel Lamangan and Louie Ignacio, as well as screenwriter and fellow National Artist Ricky Lee — longtime collaborators who had witnessed and helped shape Aunor’s extraordinary artistic journey.
This outpouring of love and admiration reaffirmed Aunor’s place, not just in the history of Philippine cinema, but in the hearts of generations who grew up with her voice, her stories, and the unforgettable characters she brought to life.
Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, known to millions as Nora Aunor, is regarded as the most brilliant and highly awarded actresses in the history of Philippine entertainment. Her artistry spanned film, television, theater, and music, with over 170 films and countless accolades to her name — both local and international.
She gave voice to the poor, the oppressed, and the unseen. With every role she portrayed — from Elsa in Himala to Flor Contemplacion in the eponymous film — Nora gave truth to characters many would otherwise overlook. She wasn’t just an actress — she was a reflection of the Filipino soul.
The nation will bid its final goodbye on 22 April with a State Funeral at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila beginning at 9 a.m.
She will be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which is fitting and honorable for a national treasure whose legacy will live on for generations.
As the lights dim on a storied life, the memory of Nora Aunor will continue to shine — through the roles she played, the songs she sang, and the legacy she leaves behind. In the words of those who knew and admired her, she was not just a superstar — she was a national treasure.
And now, as she takes her final bow, an entire nation stands in ovation.
