The nation is draped in black with the passing of its brightest star.
The entire country mourns as the final curtain falls on a National Artist — a towering icon in the history of Philippine film and television.
Nora Aunor was never just a phenomenal actress. She was the voice of the voiceless, the face of the everyday Filipino, and the soul of a nation in search of truth, justice, and identity.

Her artistry didn’t merely grace the screen — it challenged it, elevated it, and transformed it. Through decades of unforgettable performances, she pierced through generations, inspired cultural awakening, and forever changed the landscape of Philippine cinema.

I had the profound honor of working with Nora during one of the most defining moments in both our lives — the creation of Himala under the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines. As Director-General, I witnessed the depth of her commitment and the brilliance of her craft. Her portrayal in Himala remains, to this day, not just one of the most powerful in Asian cinematic history, but a spiritual and cultural mirror held up to the Filipino soul.

Nora was never merely an artista — she was a force of nature. A woman of quiet strength, fearless choices, and authenticity. In an industry that often favored glamour over grit, she stood firm, choosing roles that told the stories of the poor, the marginalized, the forgotten — and in doing so, rendered them unforgettable.

She could turn silence into poetry, stillness into tension, and pain into grace that lingered long after the screen faded to black.

As we bid farewell to a legend, we remember not just the superstar, but the storyteller. The truth-teller. The miracle-worker.

Maraming salamat, Guy. Paalam. Hindi totoo na walang Himala — sapagkat ikaw mismo ang himala. Sa bawat pelikula, sa bawat entablado, sa bawat pusong iyong inantig — tunay kang milagro ng sining at ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Senator Imee R. Marcos