Villafuerte’s supporters also described Aunor’s candidacy as "parang bumangga sa pader (like smashing into a concrete wall)."
But local observers noted that Aunor, Nora Villamayor in real life, is fast gaining the support of the masa whom she promised to serve and give better lives.
"Palakas ng palakas ang hatak ni Nora sa masa habang siya ay umiikot sa probinsiya at personal na bumibisita sa mga bahay-bahay (The ordinary folk are increasingly being drawn to Nora as she tours the province and personally visits different homes)," a local politician said.
In several media interviews, Aunor admitted that she knows nothing about politics and that she merely wants to serve her provincemates.
Villafuerte ran for governor in 1988 and won. He lost though in 1992 to his vice governor, Jose Bulaong, a former mayor of Libmanan town. He defeated Bulaong and singer Imelda Papin in the 1995 polls, and was re-elected in 1998. — Cet Dematera