By Eugene Nicklaus S. Laqui
Nora Aunor, credited as one of the pillars of Filipino cinema, passed away on Wednesday at age 71, according to her daughter, Lotlot de Leon, who is also an actress.
De Leon did not disclose the cause of death but gave a heartfelt statement commemorating the contributions and role of Aunor during her illustrious career.
“[Aunor] touched generations with her unmatched talent, grace, and passion for the craft. Her voice, presence, and artistry shaped a legacy that will never fade,” De Leon said on social media.
She added that details of Aunor’s wake would be provided in the coming days as loved ones and fans of the veteran actress are expected to flock to say goodbye, according to CNN.
A powerhouse from the beginning
Nora Aunor, known as Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in real life, was born in a quaint town in the Eastern Camarines Sur province of the Philippines in 1953.
Known by locals as a humble girl selling water in the streets, she began her career as a singer during her teenage years in the 1960s.
Aunor’s talent in acting was eventually discovered by local agents and she subsequently gained massive popularity in films.
Her success in the film industry attained her a cult-like following by the early 1970s and earned her the moniker ‘Superstar’.
Aside from films, Aunor did not forget her roots in singing and still produced music while acting.
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Critically acclaimed performance work
Aunor’s fame was further propelled both locally and internationally thanks to her three most critically acclaimed films: Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (Three Years Without God) in 1976, Bulaklak sa City Jail (Flowers of the City Jail) in 1984, and The Flor Contemplacion Story in 1995.
The accolades she received included numerous Best Actress awards for her role in Andrea, Paano ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (Andrea, What is it like to be a mother?) in 1990.
Her Best Actress award at the Asian Film Awards in 2013, for her portrayal of a midwife in Thy Womb, cemented her as one of the Philippines’ greatest actresses of all time.
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Controversial past includes arrest in US
Aunor was not spared from controversy during the stagnation of her career in the mid-2000s, with the most infamous moment being her 2005 arrest upon entering Los Angeles in the United States.
US authorities claimed that the actress was in possession of a drug pipe in her bag, although the actress denied the accusations and her attorney said that the presence of illegal paraphernalia was suspicious since Aunor was travelling with her four assistants at the time.
The arrest sadly cost Aunor her accession to being a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2012 after former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III denied her the honour due to the controversy.
However, Aunor’s lawyer confirmed in 2014 that the accusation against Aunor had been dropped in 2007 after she completed a division programme, and the Superstar finally took up her rightful place as a National Artist in 2022.
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