Nora Aunor after National Artist snub: 'Patuloy pa rin tayo'

MANILA, Philippines – “Nakakataba ng puso.”

 

Thus said Nora Aunor when asked about the public's clamor for her to receive the National Artist award in a brief interview with the press during the launch of the 10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival on Wednesday, July 9.

 

The Cinemalaya launch is Nora's first major public appearance since President Benigno Aquino III's  decision to disqualify Aunor as a  National Artist 

 

Earlier this month, Aquino cited Nora's previous drug case in the United States as the reason for the actress' exclusion in the list.

 

In a statement sent to media outfits on June 30, Nora admitted she was hurt over the snub but added the support of people was enough “upang maramdaman kong maski wala mang tropeo... iniluklok naman ako ng mga kababayan ko habang buhay sa kanilang mga puso bilang isang artista ng bayan.”

 

READ: ‘Maraming salamat po at pagpalain po kayo ng Diyos’

 

“May statement na po ako nasabi kaya hanggang doon na lang iyon,” Nora said when asked to comment further on the issue during the Cinemalaya launch.

 

Asked if she has moved on from the hurt brought about by the issue, the 61-year-old actress said: “Hindi naman pwedeng maging hadlang iyon para huminto ako sa aking pagtatrabaho, di ba?” 

 

“Patuloy pa rin tayo. Sa trabaho naman tayo,” she added.

 

“Maraming-maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin, tuwang-tuwa ako sa mga naniniwala sa larangan ng pag-arte,” Nora said. “Hindi ko alam kung papaano ipapaliwanag yung katuwaan na dulot dahil sa kanila.”

 

Nora is part of this year's Cinemalaya as a cast member of “Hustisya,” one of the five entries in the film fest's Directors Showcase category.

 

“Hustisya” is directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Ricky Lee.

 

“Ulit-ulitin ko ng ilang beses na masaya ako,” she said on her latest film. 

 

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will run from August 1 to 10, 2014.