Ate Guy embraces online medium with 'Lola Doc'

The taping for her GMA series “Bilangin Ang Bituin sa Langit” has yet to resume due to the threat of Covid-19 but Ms. Nora Aunor still keeps herself busy as an actress.

The superstar, fondly called “Ate Guy” by her fans and friends, celebrated her 67th birthday last May 21 by starring in the online monologue titled “Lola Doc” where she talks to her loved ones via Facebook.

This is a new challenge for Ate Guy as she embraces a medium that is “alien” to her. But the maverick that she is, Ate Guy is not one who will balk at a challenge. After all, she has conquered movies, stage and television where she imbued every performance with sincerity and truth.

But she was the first to admit that it was different and more challenging to act when it’s not a person/s you’re acting with but a screen.

“Noong ginagawa ko po ito parang gusto ko nang sumuko. Talagang hirap na hirap po ako talaga. Iba po pala talaga ‘yung gumagawa ka ng eksena na wala kang kausap. Para kang loko-loko na kinakausap mo, wala,” she said.

“Lola Doc” could be seen in the Facebook page of Tanghalang Pilipino as part of their PangsamanTanghalan or alternative space for special staging of shows while performers are under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in some parts of the country.

On her recent birthday, friends and fans (among them the Happy Peeps Kanoras group and Marie Cusi who is part of one of Nora’s numerous fans clubs, Nora’s Friends Forever) sent their idol food, wine and birthday cake to her residence in Eastwood City.

But a surprise birthday gift for Nora was the video greetings from her friends, fellow artists, directors, producers, writers and fans whose lives were touched and inspired by the superstar. The video of birthday messages was a project organized by pro-active Noranians led by Ghi Atienza and Marie Cusi.

Many of her friends, including Ms. Charo Santos-Concio, Boy Abunda, and fellow artists like Gary Valenciano and Adrian Panganiban, directors among them Lav Diaz, Ricky Lee and Jay Altarejos, and producers, and members of the entertainment press, and loyal Noranians – also sent Ate Guy their video greetings which certainly delighted the superstar.

Ate Guy was given the title “superstar” because of the stature she has achieved as an actress, a singer, and film producer, among others. Hers was a Cinderella story for who would think that a tiny wisp of a girl from Iriga will take local showbiz by storm. Ate Guy’s ascent to the throne of showbiz firmament was nothing short of spectacular. She destroyed the myth that only mestizas can become big stars.

And she became the biggest star there is. No one can match the popularity that Ate Guy had during her heyday. There was pandemonium wherever she went. Her movies were box-office hits.

She was also the first to embark on a journey to test her mettle as an actress by producing movies that showcased her immense artistry. She is considered by many as the greatest actress Philippine showbiz has known. Nora definitely deserves to be proclaimed as National Artists but her fans and supporters are happy to call her the People’s National Artist.

A multi-awarded actress, Nora received the Best Actress award from the Gawad URIAN and FAMAS, among other local award-giving bodies, as well as international award entities.

Her performance in “Lola Doc” has captured the fancy of viewers who watched Nora do her first monovlog. As always, Ate Guy displayed her acting with finesse. “Lola Doc” is another testament to Nora’s superb talent.