SHE traveled by land from Albay to Naga City. It was almost three in the afternoon when Nora Aunor stepped into Avenue Hotel, the finest in the city and one of the best in the region. She was with three media representatives (Crispina Martinez-Belen, Bayani San Diego and William Reyes) and her entourage of three.
In Legaspi City, she would be given an “onra,” a corrupted spelling of the Spanish word “honra,” which means “honor” or “pride.”
That pride or honor would multiply as she arrived in Naga City for two more awards and the indeterminable love of the many Bikolanos who still treasured being with Nora Aunor, as we would find out later.
On the evening of March 25, we welcomed Nora Aunor and her team at Jimmy and Tang, a restaurant in the residence of the late Dolores Hernandez-Sison. The dining area is a cross between a local gourmet center and home cooking. It is important to give this description because the place is cozy, and what would happen that night was a sweet preview of the days to come. The dining area had four tables, with two round tables flanking the main door. One table was already filled up by several balikbayan out to surprise a relative. The group all belonged to prominent families of the city. When I saw the car from the Ateneo de Naga University tasked with fetching her, I stood up to welcome Nora. She entered and, upon seeing the group to her right, she greeted them with “Dios marhay na banggi po saindo gabos” (literally, “Good evening to you all”). She then walked to the farthest end of the room. I heard someone said: “Garo si Nora Aunor [She looks like Nora Aunor].” Someone joined in: Si Nora! I didn’t know what happened but soon a hand was leading Nora to a nearby table. Cameras and mobile phones were whisked out. Nora was smiling throught half-amused and half-pleased. Someone turned to me and exclaimed: She was our idol when we were in high school. The instant photo session began to look like a reunion, with Nora Aunor a batchmate come home.
The dinner was finished at 8 pm. By that time, a busload of Nora Aunor fans, some of them officials of the oldest fans club in the country. They had been planning this trip and they were in a tourist bus. They came as guests of Naga city and the Ateneo de Naga University. I would meet them behind the Basilica of the Virgin of Peñafrancia. While Nora was in Buhi upon the invitation of philantropist Cyrus Obsuna, the Noranians had a tour of Naga City and the surrounding areas. At 3 in the afternoon, they sponsored a Mass in the Basilica with Nora Aunor and her team. Fr. Lito Heraldo, an admirer of Nora, officiated the Mass. Nora offered to “Ina,” as the Virgin of Peñafrancia is addressed by devotees. They would tell me the next day that they had a marathon screening via the TV on the bus of Nora Aunor’s films and concert.
The 26th was the night for the city to honor her with the symbolic key to the city and the Honorary Nagueña award. Nora is not from Naga; she is from Iriga. The city was officially adopting her as a citizen and daughter. This act was done through a resolution and voted unanimously by the council. That night, Mayor John G. Bongat led the city in welcoming Nora to the Avenue Convention Center.
A young violinist played “Sarung Banggi” and Nora entered the venue. Everyone stood up as Nora approached the presidential table occupied by the mayor, his wife, Farrah, and their daughter. Around the table were the city councilors and two poets, Vic Nierva and lawyer Dan Adan, who would read poems dedicated to Nora. The city mayor began with the line: “I am a Noranian and proudly so.” He recalled how his mother Gloria would play day in and day out the songs of Nora on their phonograph. Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion was introduced as a Noranian when he was called to read the citation for Nora as honorary Nagueña. Legacion, before reading the resolution, called in what he called the “other Noranians,” the other councilors present. Before Nora was called to the stage, the room dimmed and an image of a blue night sky and moon was flashed on-screen. Zayda Rifareal, an employee of the City Hall, went up and sang a cool and enchanting version of “Moonlight Becomes You.” The enchanting standard was Nora’s winning piece in Tawag ng Tanghalan. After the song, the singer took a bouquet from Allen Reondanga, the man behind the fascinating night. Zayda approached Nora who touched her cheeks and whispered: “Thank you.” Zayda just kept on bowing. Applause resounded all around.
Nora was called to the stage. In a long and animated speech, which the crowd did not want to end, she introduced herself by mentioning in full the names of her father and mother. A life of poverty was what Nora was narrating. There was no bitterness in the voice. She was proving herself to be a raconteur as she recalled how she would listen to the neighbor’s radio and write down the lyrics of the song she loved. “Mali-mali ang lyrics [the lyrics were wrong].” Indeed, in her early years, one could nitpick and speak ill of the pronunciation and wrong wording. But, no one—absolutely no one—dared comment badly on that voice that was a cross between alto and angel’s voice, whose interpretations of songs were pure genius and grandeur.
Nora Aunor could have gone one and on. Like the song that she sang on and on in Naga City when she was a small, dusky little girl with pain and joy in that voice, “You and the Night and the Music.” Soon, the taking of pictures began. It was fun and chaos until Allen started to call each by group. March 27 began at 9 in the morning. The gate of the Ateneo de Naga University was closed at 8 in the morning, only for it to be opened when the car carrying Nora Aunor arrived at the gate. At past 9, we were informed, the car was passing over the Colgante Bridge, the bridge that fell down in 1972 during the Peñafrancia celebration. The members scampered for their respective positions. Soon Nora was going up to the landing in front of the iconic Four Pillars of the university.
The building was constructed in 1940. The war broke out and the Japanese occupied the structure behind it for their headquarters. The university was called the “Fort Santiago” of the Bikol region.
Nora Aunor was entering a historic place. She made history as that girl from a very poor background who rose to prominence in cinema not only in the Philippines but in the world.
The university recognized her contribution to the region; thus, the Bulawan na Bikolnon (Golden Bikolnon) Service to the Bikol Award.
From the Four Pillars, Nora was escorted to the Saint Ignatius Park where she laid a wreath and offered a prayer to the founder of the Jesuit Order. By this time, the Baccalaureate Mass was over and the graduates were taking their break. But very few people were leaving their seats. The contingent of Noranians from Manila were already in their designated place.
At 10 in the morning, Nora entered the covered court. Those who were not seated were the first to see her. Mobile phones went up but, instead of a noisy clamor, there was a hush. As the small figure came into sight, the applause started to roll from the last row and went soaring. The sound was deafening as Nora Aunor began her ascent to the stage. Up the stage, she whispered to me how nervous she was. I assured her it was home.
The citation was read and Fr. Primitivo Viray, SJ, president of Ateneo de Naga University, handed her the award. She was ushered to the rostrum. Nora was all candor as she recalled once more a life of poverty. She spoke of destiny and following one’s dreams, of a father who woke up immediately when the sound of train was heard for that meant work, of debts from neighbors. She sounded blunt when she recalled how she could not believe that she would become an artista because at the time, actors and actresses were tall, fair-skinned, and beautiful. “Itum-itom ko na, makanoson pa [I was very ugly and very dark].” She was speaking in Naga-Bikol and in Irigueña. She was remembering a childhood that, given what she has achieved, appeared to have no link to her present celebrity. She mentioned once more how she sang first at Plaza Quezon in Naga City. Then the crowd started to chant: “Sing, sing, sing.” Nora talked about what happened to her years back, how she lost her voice. There was no sadness in those words. She was all strength. She was at ease with the crowd. The students were getting to know her. Everyone became a Noranian that morning.
A city and a university were honoring her. She honored them, as well.
Nora Aunor was home.
• Credit for the successful events in Naga City belong to Allen Reondanga and his team in the City Events, Protocol and Public Information Office, for the tribute given by the City of Naga. On the Ateneo de Naga University side, Dr. Noel Volante and Aiemon Salvamante led the planning and coordinating with Kristian Cordero, Rico Raquitico, Ryvin Mercado, Belen Amaro, Reggie Regondola, Marlon Razon, and the Administrative Office of the Ateneo de Naga University.
5 comments
For Nora Aunor, It’s nice to go away and it’ great to come home.
Thank you very much Sir Tito Valiente for this heart warming article…for your undying support to our Superstar and to all Noranians as well. 🙂 You treated us great and guests of honor! Pakiramdam po namin that time, kami ay mga professor from different prestigious universities 🙂
Very nice article. A fitting tribute to the greatest artist in the history of Philippine entertainment.
Wonderful story
A good gesture and tribute to a once superstar of the philippines. I hope she is now humbled after her abuse of reaching the highest pedestal. She is still NORA the superstar to be remembered and not by her infamous Bad side of life rooted by fame and money.