National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor laid to rest in final farewell

April 23 ------ National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor was laid to rest after a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on April 22, as family, friends, and supporters gathered to bid their final farewells. Nora, 71, died of acute respiratory failure on April 16, according to her son Kristoffer Ian De Leon. In addition to Ian, Nora's adopted children, Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth De Leon, were among those in attendance. Actress Janine Gutierrez, her brother Diego, Imelda Papin, and daughter Maffi Careon also mourned alongside the family.  

Nora's coffin received its final blessing before her children officially closed the casket. A crowd of fans and supporters joined Nora's family as her casket was lowered into the grave shortly after 12:30 p.m., following a gun salute. Ian received the Philippine flag as a keepsake for the next-of-kin after it was used during the funeral service. Prior to the state funeral, celebrities remembered Nora's life during a necrological service at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. 

Honor guards carried Nora's flag-draped casket, followed by her children Ian, Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth. A brief arrival ceremony was held at 8:30 a.m. Fans and onlookers gathered along the side of the theater to pay their final respects to her. At 9 a.m., the necrological service began with the national anthem, performed by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. This was followed by a short mass and homily delivered by Fr. Carmelo Caluag. 

Eulogies were delivered by National Artist Ricky Lee, actor-director Joel Lamangan, and actress-producer Charo Santos-Concio. "Rebelde si Guy. Sa loob ng pitong dekada ay nilabanan niya ang status quo. Binago niya ang kolonyal na pagtingin na nagsasabi na mapuputi lang at matatangkad ang maganda sa puting-tabing. Ginampanan niya ang papel ng babae na palaban at makatotohanan said Ricky. "Bago siya maging national artist maraming siyang pinagdaanan, hindi importante sa kanya ang kayamanan at pera. Ang pera ay pinamimigay niya sa mga taong nangangailangan at saksi ako dyan. Hindi ko man lang nasabi kay Ate Guy na isa siya sa mga pinaka importanteng tao sa buhay ko," director Joel shared. "Nora Aunor was even bigger than all her roles, higit pa sa mga karakter na kanyang binigyan ng buhay, binigyan niya ng pangarap ang milyong-milyong Pilipino. Kahit saang probinsya ka man galing, anong hirap mo, Nora gave millions of Filipinos the most important gift: hope," Charo mentioned. 

Other national artists, including Ryan Cayabyab, Alice Reyes, and Ramon Santos, were present at the venue to show their respect for Nora. Aicelle Santos performed "Walang Himala" while Angeline Quinto and Jed Medela sang "Ang Superstar ng Buhay Ko." At 11 a.m., Nora's coffin was being taken to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, where fans waited and braved the scorching heat to attend the funeral of the movie star. Many fans were in tears as they held her photos and sang songs in tribute. Fans expressed their gratitude when her remains finally arrived at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. "Salamat, Ate Guy. (Thank you, Ate Guy)," some supporters said. 

Nora, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, was born on May 21, 1953,  in Iriga, Camarines Sur. She rose to fame when she won the grand finals during the Tawag Ng Tanghalan in 1967. She starred in critically acclaimed movies like "Himala," "Bona," "The Flor Contemplacion Story," "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos," "And God Smiled At Me," "Bulaklak Sa City Jail," "Thy Womb," and more. With her commitment to her art, Nora became a successful recording artist and one of the most celebrated actresses in Philippine cinema. 

Ian thanked the fans and friends who supported his mom all these decades. "Bilang kanyang mga anak, kami po ay naging saksi sa kanyang walang kapantay na dedikasyon at pagmamahal sa kanyang sinning. Nasaksihan namin kung paano siya lumaban hindi lang para sa kanyang karera, kundi para sa mga kwentong nais niyang bigyang buhay. Naging national artist siya ng dahil sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat," he said. 

Source: mb.com.ph