Nora and Coco: 2013 People of the Year awardees: The one thing that Nora misses most

MANILA, Philippines - Nora Aunor is probably the first kayumangging Filipino who successfully broke into the mestiza-mestizo world of show business. The then young lass from Bicol had leveled the local tinseltown’s playing field and made the seemed to be then high-brow entertainment accessible to all.

As everybody knows, she first ventured into singing which had opened doors for her to try acting in film and on TV, hosting her own variety show, and doing theater later in her career.

It’s not surprising when PeopleAsia Magazine included her in its roster of 2013 People of the Year with Coco Martin, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, director Brillante Mendoza, Kuh Ledesma and ABS-CBN executive Cory Vidanes as  awardees from the entertainment industry.

“It’s an honor that they want to work with me in their films,” said Nora, during the presscon of her latest film titled Padre de Pamilya with Coco and director Adolf Alix Jr., on every young star’s dream of sharing the big screen and small screen with her. “I want to work with the new ones.” And whoever actor is assigned by the director and the producer, she added. For Nora, it’s a go for as long as her schedule will permit her to do projects. Take for instance Padre de Pamilya. Although the story was already developed, availability of stars had to be secured first. Besides, Nora is also shuttling from Manila to US and back for some personal and professional commitments.      

“I think there are more who deserve to be called National Artist,” replied Nora when asked about her nomination for the much-coveted title for cinema and broadcast arts. She politely begged off from discussing it further.

Although she had made a return to TV and the movies, Nora wants to record songs again for her listeners.     

“After all this, I need to return to singing,” said Nora. “I miss it. Whenever I see someone performing or doing a concert, naiiyak ako (I get teary-eyed). I remember the times when I was not busy with the movies and TV, I would do a concert not only here but also abroad. That’s what I miss. It is my way to entertain my kababayan. It’s a privilege to do that for them. That’s how I got started (in showbiz). Everything began from there. Before I became an actor, I was first a singer. I cannot not return to singing. I owe (everything) to my being a singer.”

Meantime, fans can look forward to Padre de Pamilya, which is perhaps on its last shooting days and set to be released sometime this year. According to Nora, her character Aida Santiago will fall for someone younger (May-December affair in other words) and the story explores the mother-and-son relationship. Nora plays Coco’s mom, who is as loving as her character in Thy Womb, except that the latter is barren. Padre de Pamilya could be another cinematic reinterpretation of the visual art Pieta and the image of Mother and Child. All scenes will be intense and spiced up with heart-tugging lines that speak about a modern Filipino family, revealing its dynamics and Pinoys’ multi-generational fascination to work in far-flung places.    

“I don’t know, I really don’t know,” said Nora humbly on her creative process as an artist. “(Is it a gift?) Maaaring ganun but I can’t explain. What is important to me is, I will be able to feel the scene, what I should do, where (the scene) is coming and where it is going.”

From there, Nora is set on creating more unforgettable cinema moments with the audience.