How Noranians feel about idol’s fate

For decades now, May 21 has been a national holiday for me. It’s the Superstar’s birthday. Ate Guy, to her millions of Filipino fans around the world, remains to be the only superstar of Philippine movies. The other day, I was in a spirited discussion with fellow Noranians and talk strayed to what each of us thought has been her best movie. Someone said Himala, another one said Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo, Atsay were also some of the movies mentioned.

I said that my all time Nora’s best movie is Ina Ka Ng Anak Ko, a movie she made with Lolita Rodriguez and Raoul Aragon and was directed by National Artist for Film, Lino Brocka. That scene when she gets off from the tricycle that brought her to the house where she found her mother (played by Lolita Rodriguez) who just gave birth to a baby sired by her husband (played by Raoul Aragon), to my mind remains the single most brilliant acting moment in Philippine cinema. It was all in her eyes – the shock, the humiliation, the bewilderment, the rage. She barely said anything, yet she said it all.

But life is strange. On Thursday (May 26), at the airport courthouse in La Cienega, Los Angeles, she is scheduled not to perform but for her first hearing on her alleged drug possession case. Many things are swirling on my mind after I spoke to someone who understands the case. Ate Guy asked for an interpreter when she was apprehended at the airport but was not given one. Did she have a lawyer with her when she was questioned? Was she given the right to be silent? Who owned the bag which allegedly contained the drug? Was she asked who packed the contents of the said bag? What if it wasn’t Ate Guy? What if, in a state of panic she was pressured to answer questions? Anything could have happened. But I must admit that I am terrified of what can happen. Thank God she has brilliant lawyers and there are people who are helping her. Salamat sa Diyos, there’s Kuya Nori (Sayo) beside her. And her loyal fans who fervently pray that she’ll be exonerated.

Yes, Ate Guy has had her excesses and frailties (who doesn’t have any) – but compare this to her contributions to Philippine cinema and to this country – or how she has made people like me happy – this woman deserves more than just a plaque of appreciation.

For once, Lord, NOT GUILTY would mean so much to hapless, helpless fan like me.

On April 21, Ate Guy made her first appearance at the airport courthouse in Los Angeles where she was arraigned and where she pleaded "not guilty." On TV, she looked calm and composed – even in high spirits. It was surreal for me. I was coming in and out of my senses. There were moments when I thought I was simply watching a Nora Aunor movie, then my knees would weaken when I would realize that I was watching a real life drama. I kept on muttering, "God please take care of her! Please!"

And then I saw microphones lunged at her. And she started to talk about unity and understanding "...imbes na magkaroon tayo ng siraan at ayawan, sana magkaintindihan tayo at magkaroon ng pagkakaisa at magtulungan."

To me it sounded her way of saying, "Please give me a chance to prove that I am not guilty. That I deserve some understanding but I will not back off from this battle. And people, please be kind."

These are my words, not hers. And don’t forget I am a fan forever.

And then she started to talk about John Rendez, who’s being blamed for this whole mess. Rumors spread like wildfire that Ate Guy had gotten married to the guy in the US. Ate Guy dismissed all this and begged, "Kung pwede sana patahimikin na rin natin si John at ang kanyang pamilya. Huwag niyo po idadamay si John sa ano mang gulong nangyayari sa akin dahil wala naman siyang kinalaman. Ilang beses kong sasabihin na hindi ko boyfriend si John, may sarili ng pamilya yung tao..." (Please leave John and his family alone. He has nothing do with this case. How many times do I have to say that John is not my boyfriend. He already has his own family).

Happy birthday, Ate Guy.

I have no doubt in my heart that you will be safe in the hand of Him up there who knows what’s going to happen. God bless you Ate Guy!