Renowned singer‑songwriter Odette Quesada has shared a heartfelt remembrance of her collaboration with the late National Artist and Philippine “Superstar,” Nora Aunor, on what would become Aunor’s final studio album, Habang Panahon, released in 2008.
Quesada and her husband, fellow musician Bodjie Dasig, witnessed the depth and delicacy of Aunor’s artistry in the studio.
“I had heard tales from fellow musicians that Nora was a ‘high IQ’ singer,” Quesada wrote. “I quite concur. She understood the intricacies of the recording process.”
Unlike powerhouse vocalists celebrated for technical feats, Aunor brought a different strength — emotional intelligence.
“Although she had none of the vocal acrobatics other great singers have, this was not because she lacked the skill,” Quesada explained. “This was because her approach was more of feeling rather than technique.”
Quesada recalled that Aunor was quiet, even nervous, during early sessions—a contrast to her commanding presence on screen and stage — yet she gradually relaxed.
“With every session, she would open up more and regale us with stories about actors she’s worked with,” Quesada shared.
The most unforgettable moment came when the finished album was played back for its star. Aunor’s reaction, Quesada said, was “profoundly moving — a childlike delight, a pure, unadulterated joy as she listened, as if it were the debut of a promising young artist.”
Though Habang Panahon did not become a commercial hit, its creative significance endures. Among its standout tracks is “Kung,” a tender ballad penned by Quesada and delivered with Aunor’s trademark restraint and sincerity.
“May she rest in peace,” Quesada concluded, “serenaded by a choir of song angels.”