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Indeed, Holy Week is truly a sacrifice for the offsprings of “mag-balae” Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor
As everyone prepares for Holy Thursday and Black Friday for the traditional “Pabasa” and “Visita” where Catholics traditionally flock the churches to observe Lenten tradition, another sad news came—Nora Cabaltera Villamayor a.k.a Nora Aunor passes away at 71.
Nora, who was first recognized by Filipinos for her voice for championing in “The Tawag ng Tanghalan” passed on April 16, 2025 while in the hospital. Ate Guy, whom she was fondly called, hailed from Iriga City and survived by children who are also from the entertainment industry Lotlot, Kristoffer Ian and Matet De Leon. In 1975, Nora was married to veteran actor Christopher “Boyet” De Leon but was annulled in 1996 .
Nora Aunor also tagged as the “Superstar” had five decades of career as an actress, film producer, recording artist, and stage actress and singer conferred her the “The Order of National Artist of the Philippines” in 2022 by the Philippine President. Among her other recognitions include:
- The Outstanding Women in Nation's Service (TOWNS) in the Field of Art, 1999
- The only Filipino film actress included in the lists of awardees by the Green Planet Movie Awards as one of the“10 Asian Best Actresses of the Decade”, 2010
- Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honor) from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2013, 2014, 2016
- The Light of Culture Awards from the Philippine Centre of the Int’l Theatre Institute and ITI-Earthsavers UNESCO Dream Center for pioneering in the integration of theater, television, and film, 2014.
The Hollywood Reporter also labeled Ate Guy as The Grand Dame of the Philippine Cinema for her stint in the films TAKLUB (Trap) and HUSTIYA (Justice).
Among her classic movies Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1977), Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1980), Bulaklak ng City Jail (1985), Bilangin Ang Mga Bituin Sa Langit (1990), The Flor Contemplacion Story (1996), and Pieta (2024).
Pilita Corrales the Asia’s Queen of Songs and Nora Aunor were co-parents-in-law to then couple Ramon Christopher Gutierrez and Lotlot De Leon (also known as Charlotte Jennifer Rodriguez Olson in real life) from 1989 to 2010, the two died four days apart. Thus, making it extremely painful to Monching and Lotlot children actress Janine, Jessica, Diego and Maxine Gutierrez.