Bongbong Marcos, Joseph Estrada, Ricky Lee, more personalities attend last night of Nora Aunor’s wake

More personalities attended the last night of Nora Aunor's wake on Monday.

As seen in Aubrey Carampel’s report in “24 Oras," among those who visited the wake of the Superstar and National Artist were President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos. 

Marcos' sister, Senator Imee Marcos, who produced the 1982 classic film “Himala" where Nora played her iconic character Elsa also paid her respects, as well as former Philippine President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and GMA Network Officer in Charge for Entertainment Group Cheryl Ching-Sy.

Celebrities such as Nora’s former love team Tirso Cruz III, Rochelle Pangilinan, Judy Ann Santos, and Ryan Agoncillo, as well as fellow National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee also graced the last night of Nora's wake.

Ricky Lee will also be a speaker in the tribute program for Nora on Tuesday, April 22.

Meanwhile, Boy Abunda, who is a certified Noranian, could not help but turn emotional as he remembered his idol and best friend.

“Para sa isang taga-hanga, she will be the greatest actor Philippine cinema has produced. She was big. She was huge in everything and the only way para sa akin to understand the phenomenon that was Nora Aunor was to love her,” Tito Boy said.

According to the veteran TV host, he was able to talk to Ate Guy a week before she passed away.

“May pag-uusap na wala kaming ginawa kung di tawa lang kami nang tawa. May mga pag-uusap na mahirap. May mga pag-uusap na dasal. Iba’t-ibang pag uusap ang pinagdaanan namin ni Ate Guy."

When asked how he would describe his last conversation with Nora, the King of Talk answered: “Meaningful, lagi naman ang pag-uusap namin ni Ate Guy ay napakalalim ng mga ibig sabihin.”

Like Tito Boy, actress Sheryl Cruz whom Nora worked with in the Kapuso afternoon prime series “Lilet Matias: Attorney at Law,” spoke highly of the Superstar.

According to Sheryl, she was childhood friends with Nora’s children. She also described the late actress as a “very warm and funny person.”

“She’s a very warm and funny person kasi kapag pumupunta sa shooting sa set 'yung mga fans niya na mga yaya namin sa bahay namin nakikipagkuha talaga siya ng mga picture. She’s very down-to-earth, ganon din siya sa minamahal niyang mga fans tapos non she has a very beautiful voice na magandang pakinggan. Hindi nakakasawa,” Sheryl said of Nora.

For veteran actress Boots Anson-Rodrigo, who is the godmother of Nora’s son Ian de Leon, she wants to recall the beautiful memories Nora left.

“We want to celebrate her life because it was quite exciting, glorious and meaningful,” she said.

Nora passed away on April 16 at the age of 71. According to her son Ian, her mom died of acute respiratory failure.

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."

In the wake of Nora's passing, many celebrities took to social media to honor her memory and unimpeachable legacy.

Her state necrological service will be held at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on April 22, Tuesday to honor the National Artist. The rites will continue with a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

The service is open to the public. Those who wish to attend may view the registration details here. The service will also be livestreamed.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News