‘NORAtives’ galore: Ate Guy through the eyes of her ‘precious ones’
Nora “Ate Guy” Aunor and my Mom (Inday Badiday) were besties/partners in crime. They rose to fame at the same time. Ma was the “godmother” of the “Guy and Pip” loveteam (with Tirso Cruz III) back in the day. Their tandem even had a “daughter doll” called “Maria Leonora Teresa.”
Ate Guy saw me grow up. Even during odd hours, she would pop up at our home when she needed to pour her heart out to my mom. Their friendship went beyond showbiz. Ma took Ate Guy’s secrets to her grave.
One funny story that Ma shared with me happened during their shooting of “Blue Hawaii” in Honolulu. Ate Guy and her were fans of the hit TV show, “Hawaii Five-O.” So when they were on a lunch break from their shoot, Ma and Ate Guy went to the set of “Hawaii Five-O” to get a glimpse of the lead star (Jack Lord).
They lost track of time so Kuya Germs (a.k.a. German Moreno who was the director of their movie) got frantic because they had to resume shooting already. He reprimanded them when they got back to the set late. But Ma and Ate Guy couldn’t care less. They were like giddy high school girls after seeing their idol in person.
After Ma passed away, every time Ate Guy would see me, we reminisced about the happy times when Ma was still around.
Thank you, Ate Guy, for the moments and the memories. Over and beyond your body of work as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, it’s your warmth, kindness, humility and authenticity that will linger on in our hearts.
As we showbiz folk mourn your passing, I can’t help but smile at the thought that Mommy and you are reunited up above. Thoughts of both of you are so vivid in my memory that I can almost hear Mommy and you giggling just like the two of you did when you played hooky in Hawaii.
Take a bow for a life well-lived and for being so well-loved, our one and only Superstar.
Guy & Bot
Edgar Mortiz a.k.a. Bobot feels guilty that he was not able to pay his last respects to Nora Aunor. “I’m in Japan directing a movie,” Bobot explained. “When I heard the news about Guy’s passing, I tried to book a flight to Manila so I could go to her wake. But since it was Holy Week, all flights were full.”
Back in the day, before the Guy-Pip and Vi-Bot (Bobot with Vilma Santos) loveteams became a phenomenon, it was Bobot who was paired off with Guy. Here’s Bobot’s story:
“Guy and I had the same voice teacher (Romy Hernandez) when we joined ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan.’ Both of us won in 1967. Ako ang original na ka-loveteam ni Guy then naging love triangle kami with Pip in several movies. But when Pip courted Guy, that’s when their loveteam was formed. Then when I spotted Vi, I fell in love at first sight and I requested na si Vi na ang maka-loveteam ko.
“Fast forward to today: Since I recorded an album again after many years, I asked Guy if she wanted to come up with a new album also and perhaps we could do a duet. Guy said that she couldn’t sing anymore due to some health issues. Then I told her that with technology these days, anything is possible. Too bad plans didn’t materialize.
“The last time Guy and I talked was four months ago when she called me out of the blue. She told me, ‘Sa lahat ng naging leading men ko, ikaw lang ang ‘di ko natulungan.’ I replied, ‘Di naman ako nag-e-expect. At ‘di mo naman kailangan gawin yun.”
To lighten the mood, I chided Bobot, “Complete attendance sa wake ni Ate Guy with all her leading men present. You’re the only one missing in action… Dahil ‘di ka nakapunta, si Ate Guy nalang ang dadalaw sa’yo.”
Kidding aside, what La Aunor told Bobot during their last phone convo goes to show that she’s really a born giver. What our Superstar lacks in height is compensated by the depth of her heart.
Ate Guy’s ‘precious ones’
I can totally relate to the grown-up kids of Ate Guy. Just like them, I was thrust into the limelight because my mom, Inday Badiday, was also a public figure. Lotlot is my godsister since my mom is her ninang.
It’s been 12 years since my mom got her call slip from heaven. But until now, people still call me “Anak ni Inday Badiday.” It’s like a badge I wear with pride. That never fails to make me smile because it’s proof that mommy left an indelible mark in people’s hearts. Years from now, Lot and her siblings will certainly feel the same way. Our late great mothers were the gift that we were born with.
Let me share some quotes from the eulogies of Ate Guy’s “precious ones” during the last night of her wake.
Lotlot: “When Mommy left for the States, she was away for many months. She told me, ‘Ikaw na bahala sa mga kapatid mo.’ Aside from my siblings, I had my kids to take care of. I was at a loss. So yung pagmamahal na tinuro sa akin ni Mommy, yun ang ginawa ko. Mula bata ako, nasanay na ko na ang buhay ni Mommy nilaan na n’ya sa trabaho at sa fans n’ya. Kaya yung mga oras na nahihiram namin siya ng mga kapatid ko ay sobrang precious.”
Ian: “Even if Mommy was always busy, she had a way of surprising us. When I was about to board my flight from the States, I suddenly heard my name being paged. I got worried ‘cause I thought I would be detained. It turns out I was upgraded to business class by Mommy.”
Matet: “Among all of us five siblings, Ma always told her friends that I’m her ‘sutil’ na anak. I have so many regrets but sana narinig ni Mommy yung binulong ko sa kanya na mga pagsisisi ko at pag sorry ko.”
Kiko: “Mommy always wanted us to enjoy life to the fullest. Like the time Kuya Ian and I were guests in her concert in the States. Before the show, the three of us drank backstage. Kuya and I finished the bottle while Ma was performing so we were already tipsy when our turn came. We thought Ma would scold us but she did not because she was happy to see us having fun.”
Louie on Nora
My good friend Louie Heredia was Ate Guy’s longtime neighbor. Let me share his “NORAtive”:
“Nora was my neighbor for a couple of years in La Vista. There were loads of people visiting her from all around the country. They would camp outside her house. There was a ‘samba’ as they would call it.
“When she appeared on the veranda, fans would be screaming. The cars could not pass our road because of the fans. I was only 10. Those days of living beside a superstar are etched in my memory forever.
“When I was a newbie in the biz, I was able to guest in Nora’s top-rated show ‘Superstar.’ It was not easy to get a slot in her show. I came early and Nora was already there. I was nervous but I approached her and introduced myself.
“Then I told her, ‘Neighbor po tayo noon at naging kaibigan ko yung kapatid niyo, si Eddieboy.’ She asked me, ‘Saan? ‘Sa La Vista,’ I said. She answered, ‘Paborito kong bahay yon.’ Then she teared up.
“I will never forget that moment. From then on, she always wanted to guest me in her show. The last time I spoke to her was in 2008 through our producer in Los Angeles and we were both ecstatic talking to each other then. Maraming salamat Ate Guy sa napakalaki mong puso and for helping us all.”
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