Nora Aunor buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani

Metro Manila, Philippines - Late veteran actress Nora Aunor, dubbed as the “superstar,” was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Tuesday, April 22.

Aunor’s family, colleagues in the show business industry, and supporters mourned in the final moments.

Friends and fans of Aunor, whose off-screen name is Nora Villamayor, held a procession with her casket from the entrance of the Libingan ng mga Bayani to the burial site.

Aunor was given military honors and a state funeral as national artist for film and broadcast arts. Her remains were buried past 12 p.m.

Among those who paid their respects were director Ricky Lee, actress Iza Calzado, and actor-turned-senator Robin Padilla.

Ian de Leon, the actress’ son, expressed gratitude to his mother’s fans.

“Dahil sa pagmamahal ninyo na binigay n’yo sa mommy namin, siya na po ang nag-iisang superstar po dahil sa inyong lahat. Nagkaroon ng isang national artist po dahil sa inyong lahat,” he told the audience at the funeral.

[Translation: Because of your love for our mom, she became a superstar and a national artist.]

Tribute

The Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts held a service before the funeral.

Aunor’s remains were brought to the Metropolitan Theater in Manila around 8 a.m. where she was given arrival honors. A tribute program followed.

De Leon and actress and producer Charo Santos-Concio recalled times with Aunor, fondly called Ate Guy, and honored her.

“Ang pamana po ng nag-iisang superstar ay hindi nananatili sa iisang henerasyon lang. Ito’y nagpapatuloy, nananatiling buhay sa puso at kamalayan ng sambayanang Pilipino,” the late actress’ son said.

[Translation: The superstar’s legacy does not stay in one generation. It continues and remains alive in the hearts and consciousness of the Filipino people.]

“Higit pa sa mga karakter na kanyang binigyan ng buhay, binigyan niya ng buhay ang pangarap ng milyong-milyong Pilipino,” Santos said.

[Translation: More than the characters she gave life to, she provided life to the dreams of millions of Filipinos.]

Lee and another director, Joel Lamangan, testified to Aunor’s selflessness.

“Hindi naging madali ang buhay ni Guy nitong mga nakaraang taon. Marami siyang sakit at naghirap siya. Halos walang mga ari-arian. Pero hindi pa rin siya tumigil ng pag-iisip para sa kapakanan ng iba. Gusto niyang magtayo ng isang foundation na tutulong sa mga fans at iba pang nangangailangan,” Lee stressed.

[Translation: Guy’s life was not easy the past year. She had many diseases and suffered. She almost does not have properties. But she does not stop thinking about others’ welfare. She wants to establish a foundation that will help fans and the needy.]

“Marami siyang ginagawang kabutihan na hindi nalalaman ng maraming tao,” Lamangan said.

[Translation: She has done several good deeds which many people do not know.]

Aunor’s supporters, some even from nearby provinces, braved the heat just to glance at their idol.

“Masakit pero para sa kanyang pagpunta sa kabilang buhay, alam kong nakikita niya kami, masaya siya,” supporter Eliza Gador said.

[Translation: It is painful but this is for her journey in the afterlife. I know she sees us and she is happy.]

“Bukod sa Noranian ako bata pa ‘ko at nakita ko ang kadakilaan ng puso ni Ate Guy. Naipangako ko sa sarili ko na ‘pag namatay si Ate Guy, kahit sa’n siya iburol, pupunta ‘ko,” another fan Roger Mendoza said.

[Translation: Aside from I have been a Noranian since a child, I saw the greatness of Ate Guy’s heart. I promised myself that I will go to Ate Guy’s funeral, wherever it is.]

“Wala akong nakitang katulad ni Nora,” said supporter Nelia de Guzman-Munoz. “One time, naisip namin puntahan siya sa bahay niya. In-entertain niya kami for two hours. She signed all our autographs, our notebooks, our pictures.”

[Translation: I have never seen anyone like Nora. One time, we thought of visiting her house. She entertained us for two hours.]

Aunor, 71, died on April 16 due to breathing difficulty after an operation.