‘2 beses pinagkaitan maging National Artist’: Ricky Lee recalls Nora Aunor’s hardships
MANILA, Philippines — National Artists Ryan Cayabyab, Alice Reyes, Ramon Santos and Ricky Lee, among others, came in full force today to offer flowers to National Artist for Film and Broadcast, Nora Aunor, in Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
In his eulogy for the “Superstar,” Lee shared that he first met Nora on the set of the 1982 film “Himala,” which he wrote, and they became good friends when they made the 1990 drama, “Andrea, Paano Bang Maging Isang Ina?,” which she produced.
“Rebelde si Guy,” Lee noted, sharing later on that Nora refused to join the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) if they insisted for her to change “Andrea’s” unpopular ending. But MMFF accepted the film anyway, and for which, Nora won a grand slam for Best Actress.
He recalled Nora’s other struggles in the past 70 years that she had been in the limelight.
“Kaya siguro hindi natin alam ang gagawin sa kanya. Hahangaan ba natin s’ya? Sasambahin? Gagayahin? Pag-aaralan? Bata pa man ay inangkin na natin s’ya. Hinigi natin ang boses n’ya, ang buong buhay n’ya, ang pamilya n’ya, ang katahimikan n’ya. Pinakailaman natin bawat galaw n’ya. Hiningi nating maging ganito s’ya, maging ganoon s’ya. Binansagan natin s’ya ng kung anu-ano. Tinanggalan ng boses hanggang hindi na makakanta. Dalawang beses na pinagkaitan na maging National Artist. Iniwasan ng maraming producers dahil marami raw sakit, mahirap daw makatrabaho,” Lee narrated.
Despite her battles, Nora was steadfastly selfless and generous, Lee noted.
“Kalat na kalat ang mga kuwento kung gaano kagalante si Guy. ‘Pag may nangangailangan, papautangin n’ya agad. Ang sweldo n’ya sa bawat shooting day ay ipinamimigay n’ya sa crew at iba pang mga tao sa set. Namigay s’ya ng pera sa mga preso nu’ng shooting ng ‘Flor Contemplacion.’ Hindi naging madali ang buhay ni Guy nitong mga nakaraang taon. Marami s’yang sakit at naghirap s’ya, halos walang mga ari-arian. Pero hindi pa rin s’ya tumigil mag-isip para sa kapakanan ng iba. Gusto n’yang magpatayo ng foundation na tutulong sa mga fans at mga nangangailangan. Buong buhay ni Guy, nagbigay s’ya nang nagbigay, hanggang sa halos wala nang natira sa kanya…”
Following the state funeral ceremonies in Manila, Nora was buried today in Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig City.
