Nora Aunor to receive media award from UP

MANILA, Philippines - After being denied a National Artist award by President Benigno S. Aquino III, actress Nora Aunor will receive the media award of the University of the Philippines (UP) next month.

The UP College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) on Friday said Aunor will be the recipient of this year's Gawad Plaridel, an annual award for distinguished media practitioners in the country.

Aunor, whose full name is Nora Cabaltero Villamayor, will receive the award for her “unique artistry and versatility as a singer,” and for “portraying with keen intelligence and uncommon sensitivity an amazing range of cinematic roles,” UP CMC noted in a statement.

Aunor is known for her performances in the movies Bona; Himala; Bakit May Kahapon Pa?; Naglalayag; Minsa'y isang Gamugamo; Fe, Esperanza, Caridad; Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos; Annie Batungbakal; Flor Contemplacion Story and Thy Womb, among others.

UP also commended Aunor for producing movies that include Banaue, Alkitrang Dugo, Atsay, Mga Uod at Rosas and Tisoy- films that have helped raised the bar in Philippine filmmaking, UP CMC said.

Her performances in programs like the Nora Aunor Show and Superstar “showcased her skills in song and dance and set a trend in Philippine television," the university said, while her weekly drama anthologies Nora Cinderella and Ang Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora “brought to the public both fine dramatic acting and relevant narratives of everyday life.”

Aunor will join a prestigious list of awardees that include Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, print), Vilma Santos (2005, film), Fidela 'Tiya Dely' Magpayo (2006, radio), Cecilia 'Cheche' Lazaro (2007, television), Pachico Seares (2008, community print), Kidlat Tahimik (2009, independent filmmaking), Eloisa 'Lola Sela' Canlas (2011, radio), Florence 'Rosa Rosal' Danon-Gayda (2012, television) and Jose 'Pete' Lacaba (2013, print).

Established in 2004, the UP Gawad Plaridel recognizes Filipino media practitioners in print, radio, film and television "who have performed with the highest level of professional integrity in the interest of public service."