Nora Aunor: The Rise, Reign, and Farewell of a Superstar
MANILA, PH — Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, Nora Aunor was the ultimate and quintessential multi-hyphenate – the Superstar of the masses and an ideal for the artsy elitist.
Consummate actress, singer, and film producer, La Aunor shaped an entire generation – a splendid career that spanned more than 50 years. Her passing signaled the end of an era.
Quintessential. Unrivaled. Unsurpassed.
Aunor was born in Barrio San Francisco, Iriga City, Camarines Sur Province on 21 May 1953 – the fourth of five children of Antonia Cabaltera and Eustacio Villamayor.
In a story of triumphs and trials, the young Nora sold water along Bicol’s train tracks but, years later, would eventually own the big screen in over 170 films.
Her win as grand champion at the Tawag ng Tanghalan in 1967 – a recognition of her golden voice on a national platform – opened the doors to a remarkable film career, receiving numerous local and international accolades.
At the young age of 23, La Aunor began producing films that will forever be part of the national heritage: Banaue, Bona, and Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, among others.
Her other stellar performances can be found in Himala, Thy Womb, and The Flor Contemplacion Story.
From teen flicks to award-winning drama, Nora was the other half of the highly successful loveteam of ‘Guy and Pip.’ They traveled the world over -singing and dancing to the delight of fans. Theirs was almost unbeatable -believed to have overshadowed rival pair Vilma Santos and Bobot Mortiz or ‘Vi and Bot.’
At the height of their stardom, they had their own ‘child’ – a 3-foot ceramic faced doll named Maria Leonora Theresa – which was as well-loved by fans.
Nora, herself, would later reveal she fell hard for the mestizo onscreen partner, Pip, only to discover it was the unrequited kind.
In years prior and after, she would be paired with actor-singer Manny de Leon and Cocoy Laurel.
In 1971, Nora was paired with American actor Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame in “Lollipops and Roses” – shot in the U.S. with other foreign talents – a box office success which was also shown in then ‘first class’ Greenhills and Magallanes theaters which used to screen only Hollywood films.
Nora also landed on magazine covers with King of Pop Michael Jackson in 1976, when the latter visited Manila for a concert with The Jackson 5.
In 1975, Nora filmed the movie Banaue (Stairway to the Sky), paired with an equally young Christopher de Leon and found her ‘forever.’ Almost, anyway. The showbiz royalty tied the knot in a beach wedding – which was almost unheard of during that time – and was blessed with biological son Ian and adopted children Lotlot, Matet, Kenneth and Kiko de Leon.
In 1996, however, they would part ways.
“Kasalanan ko rin, e. Aminado ako. Kung hindi naging matigas ang ulo ko noon, hindi sana kami naghiwalay,” Nora said in a 2011 interview. She revealed, though, that they separated as friends and even dated occasionally afterwards.
The years that followed saw Nora getting linked to singer-composer Richard Merck who, in an interview by PEP during the wake, said he actually married Aunor in Las Vegas and were together for three years, before he left without even saying goodbye. Some quarters referred to him as a negative influence in the life of the movie icon.
In a separate report, PEP said they discovered in the Marriage Inquiry System of Clark County in Las Vegas, Nevada that Aunor married twice in the U.S. -with Merck on July 7, 1988 and with former manager Norie Sayo on May 22, 2000.
As with other rumors typical of Philippine showbusiness, Nora was briefly linked to current Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, with whom she filmed a couple of movies together, of which “Naglalayag” was the most notable. Both maintained their relationship was purely professional.
The Superstar would later meet rapper-actor John Rendez, and be the ‘closest’ and ‘fiercest’ of friends for over thirty years. When Nora was rushed to The Medical City before her passing, John was still by her side. But similar to scenes witnessed by both fans and friends during the wake and the state funeral, John had to step back and wait it out while “family” was there.
It was no secret in showbiz circles that the children of the Superstar did not want John in their mother’s life.
Rendez was seen kneeling and shedding tears beside La Aunor’s grave when the De Leon children left after the funeral honors at the Libingan ng nga Bayani.
“Ako lang ang tumagal. Lahat ng dumating sumuko sila. Ako kasi, hindi ko iniisip ang sarili ko. Kasi, gusto kong makita niya na hindi ko siya iiwanan no matter what they say. Not for any purpose, may pera man o wala. Because ano, e… that’s Ate Guy. Loves ko yan, e, di ba?,” Rendez told Bandera in an interview during the wake.
Ate Guy – a moniker given by film actor, former president and former lover Joseph “Erap” Estrada – went on to make notable and award-winning films, hosted a musical variety show for more than twenty years and participated in two major productions by the Philippine Educational Theater Association.
She earned her own star at the German Moreno Walk of Fame in Eastwood City.
“She touched generations with her unmatched talent, grace, and passion for the craft. Her voice, presence and artistry shaped a legacy that will never fade,” daughter Lotlot wrote, adding “She was a star not only on screen, but in the hearts of many – and stars like hers never stop shining.”
La Aunor died on 16 April 2025 due to acute respiratory failure, according to son Ian,
As National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora was accorded a tribute and state funeral fitting for a star of her stature. Celebrities, state leaders past and present, supporters and friends condoled with her family.
Throngs of fans lined up to get a glimpse of Nora under the scorching temperatures of the Metro. Just like the old days.
Flags were flown at half-mast, the end of her earthly journey declared a Day of National Mourning. She was and is a national gem.
La Aunor shone fiercely for over five decades and refused to be snuffed out until the very end – catapulting in the heavens with her brilliance and legend. Yes, stars like her never stop shining.
She was a mother. A wife. An icon. A voice of a people. A Superstar. And now, a legend.
Paalam at salamat, Nora, Ate Guy. Mahal ka namin.
Nora Cabaltera Villamayor
(May 21, 1953 – April 16, 2025)
Photos: Mark Nicdao (Screengrab)/ NCCA (Screengrab), Robert Gannon, Nora Aunor National Artist FB
