5 things we learned from Nora Aunor's 2017 i-Witness interview

Nora Aunor left behind a legendary legacy, but she's more than the Superstar everyone knows her to be.

Here's some things we learned about her from a 2017 interview by Sandra Aguinaldo aired on "i-Witness."

1. She treasures old photos with fellow veterans

Before the interview, Nora showed Sandra the creatively decorated walls of her studio, which feature framed sepia photographs.

Some of these photographs include her former leading men, Edgar Mortiz and Tirso Cruz III, and her TV rival, veteran actress Vilma Santos.

"Mare ko talaga siya (Vilma)," Nora said. "Inaanak niya 'yung anak ko, si Kiko."

Aside from the photos, she also has movie posters hung up on the walls.

2. She treats her fans like family

Noranians can attest that Nora is extremely kind and considerate to her fans.

Deniza Gador, a longtime fan of Nora, said that the actress told them, "Pamilya tayo."

She shared that she once opened up to Nora about a personal problem and "'yung naging problema ko na 'yun, natugunan niya."

Another fan, Nestor De Guzman, even collected stories of fellow Noranians for a book he edited, titled, "Si Nora Aunor sa mga Noranian: Mga Paggunita at Pagtatapat."

3. She's not about jealousy in relationships

Nora has had her fair share of experience in love.

She met her husband, Christopher De Leon, when she produced and starred in the movie "Banaue." They later separated and had an annulment in 1996.

"Wala yata nagtagal sakin dahil sa selos, kaya 'yung selos, di nakakataba ng relasyon sa bawat isa," Nora said.

4. She's 'malambing' as a mom

Nora has five kids: Ian, Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kennet.

Actress Matet De Leon, who Nora adopted, said she became aware that her mother was a superstar at a young age. Nora would sometimes work on two films within a month.

"Lagi talaga siyang wala," Matet said.

However, Nora does try to make up for this whenever she would have a day off.

"Napakalambing po niya as a mom, saka 'yung din ang hinahanap niya samin," Matet said. "Gusto niya ng lambing from us, whenever she has time off from work."

"And she's a disciplinarian," she added.

As with any family, they had their misunderstandings as well.

"Sa akin siya pinaka-naubos, as a mom, now I know na mahirap," Matet said. "Ngayon, I'm trying. We are trying to, parang, bumawi sa kanya, and she is also, nararamdaman ko po 'yun."

5. She cared more about quality than earnings

In 1973, Nora started producing films.

"Kung gusto ko ng pelikula, basta bumalik lang 'yung puhunan o kumita ng konti, masayang masaya na ko nun," she said.

What's important, she added, is that the people enjoyed watching her films.

"Eh ano kung di kumita? Maganda naman 'yung gawa ko."

Nora died on Wednesday, April 16, at the age of 71.

The multi-awarded actress was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. Some of her best films can be streamed online, including "Himala," "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo," and "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos." —JCB, GMA Integrated News