Fans brave blistering heat to pay their respects to Nora Aunor

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Supporters, many of them senior citizens, show the late Nora Aunor their love as they resist the hot weather and come in droves for the public viewing of the Philippines' 'Superstar'

MANILA, Philippines – The sweltering heat proved no hindrance to fans who paid their respects to the late Nora Aunor. 

Supporters, many of them senior citizens, braved the hot weather and came in droves for the first day of the public viewing of the Philippines’ “Superstar” at The Chapels at Heritage Park in Taguig on Saturday, April 19. 

An estimate of 1,600 people from all over Metro Manila and nearby provinces went to see the National Artist for the final time.

Lina Par, 72, came all the way from Lipa, Batangas, to pay tribute to the icon she has admired for nearly six decades since Aunor won the singing competition Tawag ng Tanghalan in 1967.

“This is Nora’s last moment, so why don’t we give her our time?” Par said in Filipino.

Aunor, born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in Iriga, Camarines Sur, in 1953, died of acute respiratory failure on Wednesday, April 16, at the age of 71.

When 84-year-old Esperanza Abian found out Aunor’s death, she made sure to be there to send her idol off.

“Even if it’s hot, even if it’s difficult to walk, my body got strong because I really wanted to see Nora in her last moments,” Abian said.

“I’m happy to see us old fans of Nora Aunor. We now use walking sticks, we all have gray hairs, and we’re all here.”

Armed with portable fans and umbrellas, some of Aunor’s followers, called Noranians, lined up as early as 6 am — four hours before the start of the public viewing.

They did not care about the heat, the lack of sleep, and the long lines; they just wanted to show their love to Aunor, who treated her supporters like her own friends and family.

“As long as you’re a die-hard fan of someone, especially someone like Nora Aunor, you won’t mind the heat,” said Jun Favila. “That’s just the way Filipinos are. As long as they do it from the heart, they don’t get impatient.”

“Filipinos are used to that kind of sacrifices, especially for people we love.”

Virginia Camba, 68, had wanted to invite Aunor as a special guest for her 70th birthday, given that Ate Guy has been part of almost her entire life.

Camba still vividly remembers following Aunor during a parade for the 1972 movie And God Smiled At Me, for which “The Grand Dame of Philippine Cinema” won the first of her countless Best Actress awards.

But now that Camba could no longer turn that plan into fruition, she asked her children for an early gift.

“I made a request to my children, I asked them for money to go here. I really wanted to see Nora because this was only the second time I got to see her — once when she was alive, and now that she’s dead,” said Camba.

More of Aunor’s supporters are expected to visit her on the second and final day of her public viewing on Sunday, April 20.

Aunor will then be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Tuesday, April 22. – Rappler.com