Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes took to Instagram to share a deeply personal and emotional tribute to the late Nora Aunor, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, following her passing.
His post recounted a rare and unforgettable moment working alongside the Superstar in the 2015 GMA primetime series "Pari ‘Koy," directed by the late filmmaker Maryo J. delos Reyes.
“It was around mid-season of 'Pari ‘Koy' when they announced we’d have a special guest. I didn’t expect it would be the Nora Aunor,” Dantes began.
The tribute transported readers back to August 2015, during a particularly grueling night shoot in front of Father Kokoy’s fictional church. The scene was emotionally intense and scheduled during the final stretch of an already long day.
Despite the pouring rain from artificial rain machines and the pressure of performing opposite a cinematic legend, Dingdong recalled that what stood out most wasn’t the scene — but a quiet break between takes.
“During a short break, two monoblock chairs were brought out. I thought she’d head back to her tent. But she didn’t. She sat beside me and stayed.”
In that moment, there were no lights, no cameras, and no airs of stardom — just two actors, side by side.
“No fanfare. No walls. Just two people talking — about nothing in particular, and maybe everything that mattered in that moment.”
Dingdong recalled how Ate Guy never made him feel intimidated or pressured. Instead, she exuded calm and warmth — the kind of humility that left a lasting impression.
“She didn’t make me feel like I had to prove anything. She made sure I was okay. She was generous with her presence — not just in the scene, but in that in-between space where actors wait and breathe.”
This quiet moment of connection, he said, was what defined her greatness. Not just her prolific body of work or legendary status, but the grace with which she carried it all.
“It’s that kind of grace that stays with you. The kind that reminds you why people like her are legends — not just because of the work, but because of how they carry the weight of it with humility.”
For Dingdong, it wasn’t just about sharing a scene with a National Artist — it was about sharing time with a woman who embodied what it truly means to be a Superstar.
“And yes, I’m proud to say I shared it with a National Artist. With a Superstar. Maraming salamat, Ate Guy… Rest in power.”
With that powerful memory, Dantes added the hashtag #AKTOR, a nod to his advocacy for Filipino artists and a reminder that legends like Nora Aunor don’t just shape the industry — they shape the people they work with.