KUMIKINANG PARANG TALA
02 May 2025
The Light Never Dims: Viva Films Celebrates Nora Aunor with The Superstar Collection
by: Jefferson Fernando
There are stars, and then there is Nora Aunor—a singular force in Philippine cinema whose brilliance transcended time, trends, and titles. More than an actress, she was a symbol of truth, resilience, and unparalleled artistry.
To honor her enduring legacy, Viva Films presents The Superstar Collection: A Tribute to the National Artist—a curated cinematic showcase of some of the most iconic and powerful films in Nora Aunor’s storied career.
Beginning April 25, this special retrospective will screen exclusively in select cinemas, offering audiences a rare chance to revisit the genius of the country’s one and only Superstar.
Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor on May 21, 1953, in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, she rose from selling water along the railway tracks of Bicol to conquering the stage, screen, and airwaves as Ate Guy. For over five decades, Nora redefined acting with quiet intensity, searing authenticity, and an unmatched ability to move audiences with a single glance or note. Her presence onscreen was not just performance—it was pure emotion, raw and real.
With over 170 films to her name, Nora Aunor is widely hailed as the greatest Filipino actress of all time, and one of the most accomplished in global cinema. She holds the distinction of being the most awarded and nominated actress in Philippine history. In 1990, she made history by achieving the Grand Slam—winning all five major acting awards (Urian, FAMAS, FAP, MMFF, and PMPC) for her tour-de-force performance in Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?
Her accolades are as prolific as her body of work: inducted into the FAMAS Hall of Fame in 1992, recipient of the FAP Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993, and named one of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ 100 Centennial Honorees for the Arts in 1999.
Nora Aunor’s talent earned global recognition, most notably for The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), which won her the Best Actress trophy at the Cairo International Film Festival and brought Filipino cinema to the world stage.
In 2012, she once again earned international acclaim, taking home Best Actress honors from the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and Asian Film Awards for Thy Womb.
Beyond film, Nora’s voice resonated through generations. As a recording artist, she recorded more than 500 songs and holds the record for the most singles released—over 260, including the chart-topping “Pearly Shells” in 1971.
In 2022, she was conferred the Order of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts—the Philippines’ highest cultural distinction.
This year, she is set to posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Merit, further affirming her indelible impact on Filipino culture.
Now, as the nation pays tribute to her memory, The Superstar Collection invites fans, both loyal and new, to experience her brilliance on the big screen.
Tickets are priced at P150 and screenings will be held in SM Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, Fisher Mall Cinemas, and Gateway Mall.
Featured Films Include:
• Beloved (1985, dir. Leroy Salvador) – Digitally enhanced, this gripping drama showcases Aunor opposite Hilda Koronel in a tale of friendship, betrayal, and emotional reckoning.
• The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995, dir. Joel Lamangan) – A landmark film that catapulted Nora to global acclaim, telling the harrowing true story of an OFW’s fight for justice.
• Mananambal (2024, dir. Adolfo Alix, Jr.) – Her final film appearance, a haunting drama set in mystical Siquijor, co-starring Bianca Umali. It is a fitting swan song that displays Nora’s range until the very end.
The Superstar Collection is more than a tribute—it’s a celebration of a legacy that shaped Philippine arts and culture.
Nora Aunor may have left the stage, but her light continues to shine, unwavering and eternal.
Source: General News
