No more politics for Nora?

Besides FPJ, Nora Aunor is widely believed to have helped propel her former friend Joseph "Erap" Estrada, to Malacañang, the end of a long and winding political road that started when Erap ran for Mayor of San Juan, and then as Senator, and then as Vice President, and eventually as President.

In a way, Nora also helped incumbent President GMA’s political career because, well, didn’t GMA get millions of votes when she ran first for Senator, and then for Vice President, by passing herself off (very obvious in her campaign posters and flyers) as "the Nora Aunor of the political trail," idolo ng masa?

So isn’t it the height of irony that when she herself ran for Governor of her native Camarines Sur (against the formidable Luis Villafuerte), Nora didn’t make it? Oh, well, win some, lose some, you know. That, according to Nora, was the first and last "direct contact" she’ll ever have with politics. Once is more than enough.

"In the future," she told movie writers yesterday at the presscon for her forthcoming public-service show n.o.r.a.mismo on IBC Channel 13, "tutulong na lang ako doon sa talagang kapani-paniwalang kandidato."

Since her controversial break-off from Erap before the elections last year, Nora has been keeping a low political profile. She started to be visible again lately in TV infomercials to endorse the GMA Administration she said she’s now supporting whole-heartedly, much to the chagrin, I suppose, of Erap.

Asked if her IBC 13 show is some kind of a "trade off" for her endorsement of GMA, Nora said no.

"The show had been planned noon pa, even before the (2001) elections," she said. "President GMA has nothing to do with it."

n.o.r.a.mismo (Ngayon na ang Oras ng Remedyo at Aksyon) will premiere on May 24, three days after Nora’s 50th birthday. Co-hosted by Junne Abejuela (Naga City’s top broadcast journalist), n.o.r.a.mismo has the following objectives: 1) to extend assistance and keep hope alive for the less privileged, 2) to encourage public and private sector cooperation to lighten the burden of the masses, and 3) to keep the government closer to the people by facilitating public access to social services.

Quite a tall order, isn’t it?

"Even if I don’t run for a public office," explained Nora, "at least makakatulong pa rin ako sa tao in some other way."

She added that she had done all kinds of shows – variety show (remember the long-running Superstar?), drama show, etc. – and it’s high time she did a public-service show. Her new connection to Malacañang will surely help get the show’s intended results for the benefit of the under-privileged.

"Actually," said Nora, "my connection to GMA goes a long way. My show (Superstar) got off the air when GMA was running for Senator and I didn’t know that many of my fans approached her on the campaign trail to help bring the show back. I learned that GMA actually went to RPN 9 to inquire about the possibility of reviving the show. I was touched by her gesture."

The big question now that she’s active on TV again is this: Will the movies be far behind?

Nora answered with a big smile.

"If I can make a loan, if somebody is willing to lend me money, I want to produce movies again. I already have a project in mind, Hanggang Dito na Lamang, Maraming Salamat (the stage play written by the late Orlando Nadres and staged several times since its debut at the Rajah Sulayman Theater at the Fort Santiago). Magandang material, di ba?"

Hanggang Dito is a love story, sort of, between an older man (played by Lino Brocka in the first staging) and a younger man (played by then newcomer Bembol Roco).

"I want to play the role of a man for a change," revealed Nora, "the older man. Bagay mag-play ng younger man si Jericho Rosales, di ba?"

Meanwhile, pending that loan, Nora’s mind is focused on her new show which is calculated to project her in a new light – as Ms. Public Service.

Readers’ reactions

• From Gianna S. Dizon (no address given): I read your column and I was touched by Mr. Sydney Poitier’s speech during the Oscar Awards. Isn’t it nice that you wrote a portion of his speech in your column? I got goosebumps all over! But I believe that you should also write about Mr. Arthur Hiller’s speech. He was the one who directed the movie Love Story and was introduced by Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw. It wasn’t only touching but it sadly spoke of how much we have changed as people and as human beings. Thank you for making our mornings bright with your column. Tapsilog with hot chocolate and a newspaper like Philippine STAR in the morning… PERFECT!!!

• From Owen Jyden I. Arboleda, CIBC World Markets – CCO, Senior Team Leader – PPS Financing Processing (no address given): I have been reading your articles every day since I moved to Toronto, Canada. I still try to keep in touch with what is happening in the entertainment world in the Philippines. I just would like to point out that Whoopi Goldberg won her 1990 Oscar Best Supporting Actress trophy for Ghost not from Color Purple. I think she was not even nominated for Color Purple. More power to you and the Filipino People.

• From Ana R. Garcia (a lawyer notary public, also no address given):

You write well...clearly and decently, considering that you write about a lot of people whose lives are not so decent. I like your choice of words, too... in good taste. I enjoy reading your column when I see the headline or title is about someone interesting.

However, I was sorely disappointed when you wrote about this woman who seemed even proud of having younger men as lovers despite her not-so-young age. Your headline: Dexter: Why I prefer younger men (Funfare, March 7, 2002). I do not watch TV nor go to Tagalog movies, so I am not familiar with the faces of entertainers or most movie personalities. The picture of "Dexter" did not impress me as familiar, but I read on because for the first time your headline was crude and in bad taste. Such subject is not worth your column.

On the other hand, I want to congratulate you on your comments about the grammatical errors committed by the announcer during the Bb. Pilipinas Pageant at the Araneta Coliseum. I totally agree with your comments! I did not watch the show, but the errrors you mentioned really made me laugh! These are common errors. I liked your straightforward way of citing the errors with humor and without being rude. Thank you.