Nora Aunor Receives Standing Ovation

By Clarice Co | Video by: Anton Onato
Photo by: Kenneth Gutlay

Superstar Nora Aunor received a standing ovation after her “pakikibahagi” as 2014 Gawad Plaridel awardee for transmedia, Wednesday, at the UP Film Institute, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Gawad Plaridel is the highest award given by the University of the Philippines to outstanding media practitioners.

“Nora Aunor is not just a celebrity. She’s a god. She’s a religion,” said Jill Raz, a UP student fan of the superstar.  She also commented that the award was just perfect for Ate Guy for she is not simply a good actress who makes good movies but an actress who makes movies that are good for the public itself.

UP College of Mass Communication Dean Roland Tolentino said in his closing remark that the UP community considers Nora as a true “artista ng bayan” for her contributions in different media platforms—TV, radio and film.

Luzvid Bautista, a solid Noranian since the 1960s, felt very proud of her idol for receiving the award. She expressed her dismay on President Benigno Aquino III’s decision of not giving the national artist award to Nora since the president is not an artist at all.

 Jinelle Pangindian, a student from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila added that “a true award comes from the heart of the people and that kind of honor is the one that’s priceless.”

J. Neil Garcia, a UP professor and recipient of several Palanca awards, also said the superstar is “really a great artist [because] her life is her own production.”

The superstar gained these praises for her lecture or what she preferred to call as “pakikibahagi” as she talked of her real life experiences from her humble beginnings to all her struggles and ups and downs which served as her inspiration for her art.