Nora Aunor
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| Nora Aunor | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | Nora Cabaltera Villamayor May 21, 1953 Iriga, Camarines Sur, Philippines |
| Years active | 1969-present |
| Spouse(s) | Christopher de Leon (separated) |
| Official website | |
Nora Aunor (born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor on May 21, 1953 in Iriga, Camarines Sur) is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, singer and producer. Aunor has also topbilled several stage plays, television shows, and concerts. She is regarded as the Superstar in Philippine Entertainment Industry.[citation needed] She is the only movie actress to receive the Centennial Honor for the Arts awarded by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1999.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] Show business career
[edit] Cinema
Since the late 1960s, Nora Aunor has starred in more than 170 films[1]. She also received three international best actress trophies, numerous Philippine-based acting awards, and several industry citations. Her films have been shown in international film festivals including Cannes, Berlin, Moscow, New York, Chicago, Hawaii, Toronto, Rotterdam, Fukuoka, Cairo, Nantes, Penang, and Brussels.
Aunor's team-up with singer-actor Tirso Cruz III in the 1970s to the 1980s, called "Guy and Pip", produced several box office hit films including And God Smiled at Me, Guy and Pip and Till We Meet Again.[citation needed] As one of the greatest love teams in Philippine Cinema, their team-up even created a popular doll named "Maria Leonora Theresa".[citation needed]
Edgar Mortiz, another Tawag ng Tanghalan champion, and teen hearthrob Manny de Leon also became Nora's leading men in the late 1960s and 1970s.
In 1971, Nora co-starred with Don Johnson in the film Lollipops and Roses. The film also featured Cocoy Laurel and Davy Jones.
Also in 1971, she appeared with Indian actor-singer, Sajid Khan in the film The Singing Filipina. The film was touted as the most expensive musical produced in 1971.[citation needed]
Two years later, Nora was paired with Joseph Estrada for the first time in the film Erap is My Guy. They were reunited in 1977 in the film Bakya Mo Neneng.
The "drama king" Christopher de Leon who became her husband in 1975, co-starred with her in the films Banaue, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, and Ikaw ay Akin.
In 2004, Yul Servo co-starred in the film Naglalayag (Silent Passage).
Four Philippine National Artists, Gerardo de Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal directed several of her films.
[edit] Music
Dubbed as the Lady with the Golden Voice[citation needed], Nora recorded more than two dozen albums and singles. She has received gold and platinum record awards, and music industry recognitions. She holds the record for both the most gold singles and most recorded singles in Philippine music history.[citation needed]
In 1991, Aunor held her first major concert entitled Handog at the Araneta Colisseum (with around 17,000 capacity). On her 50th birthday, Nora had a major concert "Gold" which served as a reunion for all of her fans. From 2004 to the present, Nora has been doing a series of hit concerts in major American cities.[citation needed]
[edit] Television
Aunor hosted Superstar the longest-running musical variety show in Philippine television which ran for 22 years. Nora also headlined a weekly drama show entitled Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora during the 1970s. In 1992, she was the first actress to star in the Star Drama Theater Presents, a drama anthology program that featured the leading dramatic actresses that time. In 2002, Aunor starred on her first soap opera, Bituin, which was aired on ABS-CBN.
[edit] Stage
Aunor appeared in three stage plays: Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo; Trojan Women; and DH (Domestic Helper).
[edit] The Noranians
Nora Aunor is known to be close to her loyal, fans and supporters collectively known as "Noranians". During the height of her career, there were tensions between the "Noranians" and the fans of rival Vilma Santos, known as "Vilmanians".[citation needed]
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Aunor used to sell cold water by the railroad tracks of Iriga City before before becoming the grand champion of Tawag ng Tanghalan, then the most popular national amateur singing contest in the Philippines in 1967.
[edit] Family
A mother of five, Aunor's marriage to Philippine actor, Christopher de Leon, was annulled in the late 1990s.
[edit] Life in United States
In recent years, although retaining Philippine citizenship, Aunor spent most her time either at her home in California or Nevada, United States
In 2004, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom declared Aunor's birthday as Nora Aunor Day in the City and County of San Francisco to honor Aunor for her numerous achievements as an artist and entertainer in the Philippines.[citation needed]
After a show in Las Vegas on August 31, 2006, Aunor received a certificate of recognition from Nevada State Governor Kenny C. Guinn for her phenomenal talent and for being an extraordinary performer.[citation needed]
On September 23, 2006, Mayor Timothy Hancock of Killeen, Texas, proclaimed the date as Nora Aunor Day in the City of Killeen after she held a concert there.[citation needed]
[edit] Drug prossession case
On March 30, 2005, Aunor was arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly carrying 7.7 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride inside her carry-on luggage together with a glass pipe (a drug paraphernalia) wrapped in a T-shirt. Aunor was on her way to Oakland, California. Aunor was released after posting a US$10,000 bail. On April 21, 2005 she pleaded not guilty before the court. Her trial was set on December 16, 2005.
On March 29, 2006, Aunor pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a controlled substance. She enrolled in a drug diversion program resulting to the subsequent suspension of the criminal proceedings against.
On October 1, 2007, Judge James Dabney, Los Angeles courthouse dismissed Aunor's drug case after she completed an 18-month drug rehabilitation program. The guilty plea was withdrawn and Aunor's arrest was made void. She passed over 40 drug tests. [2]
[edit] Television shows
| Year | Title | Genre |
| 2002 | Bituin Channel 2 | Soap Opera |
| 2002 | Nora Mismo | Public Service Program |
| 1995 | SUPERSTAR: Beyond Time | Musical Show |
| 1995 | Nora/ Channel 5 | Drama Anthology |
| 1994 | Modern Romances / Channel 7 | |
| 1993 | Spotlight on Nora / Channel 7 | Drama Anthology |
| 1992 | Star Dram Presents - NORA | Drama Anthology |
| 1990 | Supertar - The Legend / Channel 13 | Musical |
| 1984 | La Aunor / Channel 9 | |
| 1974 | Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora | Drama |
| 1975 | Superstar | The Longest running musical-variety show |
| 1974 | The Nora Aunor Show | Variety show |
| 1969 | Nora-Eddie Show | Musical-Variety Show |
| 1968 | Oras ng Ligaya / Channel 3 |
[edit] Radio programs
- Fiesta Extravaganza (DZXL)
- Operetang Putol-putol (DZXL)
[edit] Stage plays
| Year | Title | Producer |
|---|---|---|
| 1991, | Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo | PETA (Philippine Education Theater Association) |
| 1993, | DH (Domestic Helper) | PETA (Philippine Education Theater Association) |
| 1994, | Tojan Women |
[edit] Notable citations and awards
[edit] As an actor
- The Filipino actor with the most number of International awards (Cairo 1995, East Asia 1997, Brussels 2004), and nominations (Berlin 1983, Singapore 1997, Cairo 1999, Singapore 1999).
- The first Filipino actor to win an International acting award in a Major Film Festival (Cairo 1995 for the movie "The Flor Contemplacion Story").
- The first and only Filipino actor to receive an acting nomination from a Top-Tier International Film Festival (Berlin 1983 for the movie "Himala").
- The first Filipino actress to sit as juror in an International Film Festival (Hawaii 1996).
- The only Filipino and Asian actress apart from China's Gong Li to be featured by HBO, an American cable network, in a documentary film about the lives and achievements of the world's greatest actresses (1997).
- Himala was the first and only Filipino film ever to qualify in the Competition Section of the Berlin International Film Festival (1983).
- The Flor Contemplacion Story became the first Filipino movie to win the grand prize in a Major International Film Festival (Cairo '95).
- The Flor Contemplacion Story grossed US$ 3.3 million in its domestic and international exhibitions, making it one of the highest-grossing films in Philippine history.[citation needed]
- Bona was cited as one of "The Best 100 Films in the World" by the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, USA (1997).
- The Filipino actor with the most "Best Performer" awards (5).
- The first Filipino actor ever to win the "Best Performer" award (1978).
- The only actress included in the prestigious "Centennial Honor for the Arts" given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (1999).
- The first actress to be honored with the "Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service" (TOWNS) award (1983).
- The youngest recipient of the "Lifetime Achievement Award" given by the Film Academy of the Philippines (1993).
- The only Filipino actress to win three successive best actress awards in the Film Academy of the Philippines (1989,1990,1991).
- Chosen by the Gawad Urian as "Actress of the Decade" (1980s and 1990s).
- The only Filipino actor to bag seven Metro Manila Film Festival best actress awards.
- The first actress to be crowned as "Box Office Queen of Philippine Cinema" (1971).
- Named by S Magazine as the "Philippines' Best Actress of All Time" in 2006.
[edit] International awards
Note: Aunor became best actress unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Name of the Movie | Group | Award |
| 2004 | Naglalayag | Brussels Festival of Independent Films [1](Belgium) | Best Actress |
| 1997 | Bakit May Kahapon Pa | East Asia Film and Television Award [2](Malaysia) | Best Actress |
| 1995 | The Flor Contemplacion Story | Cairo International Film Festival [3](Egypt) | Best Actress |
[edit] Philippine awards
FAMAS
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 1976 | Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos | Best Actress |
| 1979 | Ina Ka ng Anak Mo | Best Actress |
| 1984 | Bulaklak ng City Jail | Best Actress |
| 1989 | Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | Best Actress |
| 1990 | Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina | Best Actress |
| 1991 | Special Citation | Best Actress Hall of Fame |
| 1995 | Special Citation | Circle of Excellence |
- Nora Aunor, is the most nominated Actress in the leading role with 17 nominations before she was elevated to the Hall of Fame. She was nominated every year from 1972 - 1985.[4][5]
Gawad Urian
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 1976 | Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos | Best Actress |
| 1980 | Bona | Best Actress |
| 1989 | Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | Best Actress |
| 1990 | Andrea, Paano Maging ISang Ina | Best Actress |
| 1991 | Special Citation | Best Actress of the Decade (1980s) |
| 1995 | The Flor Contemplacion Story | Best Actress |
| 1996 | Bakit May Kahapon Pa? | Best Actress |
| 2001 | Special Citation | Best Actress of the Decade (1990s) |
- Gawad Urian's first best actress, Nora Aunor, is the most nominated lead actress with 16 nominations.[6][7]
Film Academy of the Philippines
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 1989 | Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | Best Actress |
| 1990 | Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina | Best Actress |
| 1991 | Ang Totoong buhay ni Pacita M. | Best Actress |
| 1993 | Special Citation | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 1995 | The Flor Contemplacion Story | Best Actress |
- Nora Aunor is the youngest recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award[8]
Star Awards
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 1984 | Merika | Best Actress |
| 1990 | Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina | Best Actress |
| 1991 | Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. | Best Actress |
| 1994 | Special Citation | Star of the Decade (1980s) |
| 1995 | The Flor Contemplacion Story | Best Actress |
| 2004 | Special Citation | Best Actress of the Decade (1990s) |
- She received the first best-actress Star Award from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).
Metro Manila Film Festival
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 1978 | Atsay | Best Performer* |
| 1979 | Ina Ka ng Anak Mo | Best Actress |
| 1982 | Himala | Best Actress |
| 1984 | Bulaklak ng City Jail | Best Actress |
| 1990 | Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina | Best Actress |
| 1991 | Ang Totoong buhay ni Pacita M. | Best Actress |
| 1992 | Special Citation | Gawad ng Natatanging Pagkilala |
| 1992 | Muling Umawit ang Puso | Best Actress |
- Is equivalent to Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress Award.
Manila Film Festival
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 2004 | Naglalayag | Best Actress |
Catholic Mass Media Awards
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 1981 | Bakit Bughaw ang Langit | Best Actress* |
| 1984 | Bulaklak ng City Jail | Best Actress |
Young Critics Circle
| Year | Title of the Movie | Award |
| 1990 | Andrea, Paano Ba Maging Isang Ina | Best Performer |
| 1991 | Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. | Best Performer |
| 1993 | Inay | Best Performer |
| 1995 | The Flor Contemplacion Story | Best Performer |
- Best Performer - Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role
Quezon City Film Festival
- 1972 - And God Smiled at Me
Bacolod Film Festival
- 1975 - Banaue (Grand Buglas Award)
Pasado
- 2004 - Naglalayag
Davao City Film Festival
- 1976 - Ibilanggo Si Neneng Magtanggol
Gawad Tanglaw
- 2004 - Naglalayag
Kritika
- 1991 - Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M.
Balatca
- 2004 - Naglalayag
Ateneo Galian
- 1991 - Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M.
People's Choice and PPC Publications
- 1995 - The Flor Contemplacion Story
- 1997 - Babae
[edit] As a recording artist
In 1968, a little brown girl with a golden voice named Nora Aunor was contracted by Alpha Records upon the recommendation of singer Carmen Soriano. This marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Local Recording. Although Nora's first singles were not major hits, she smashed all record sales with her series of hits which included "It's Time to Say Goodbye", "Silently", "Forever Loving You", "It's Not Unusual", and countless others. In her seven years with Alpha Records, she was able to set all-time high record sales which up to this day has not been surpassed.
- At the height of her popularity as a recording artist in the late 1960s and early 1970s, local records soared up to 75% of national sales according to Alpha Records Philippines.
- She is the artist with the most singles in Philippine recording history (with more than 260 singles). Over-all she has recorded more than 500 songs.
- She has notched more than 30 gold singles, a record in the local music industry.
- With estimated sales of one million units, Nora's cover of "Pearly Shells" (1971) is one of the biggest-selling singles in the Philippines ever.
- Nora has also recorded some 46 hit long-playing albums, and several extended plays.
[edit] References
- Nora Aunor at the Internet Movie Database
- http://www.nora-icon.com/
- http://www.geocities.com/pinoymovies/nora_aunor.html
- http://www.titikpilipino.com/album/?albumid=809
- http://sari-saringsinengpinoy.blogspot.com/2006/04/saan-ba-nanggagaling-ang-mga-himala.html
- http://www.filipinoheritage.com/sikatpinoy/nora_aunor.htm
