Philippine Superstar and National Artist for Film Nora Aunor celebrated her big 70th birthday at an intimate ‘70s themed birthday party recently at the Seda Vertis North hotel in Quezon City.
All five children of Aunor were present: Lotlot, Ian, Matet, Kiko and Kenneth, quashing all rumors that all is still not well with the iconic superstar and her children. In fact, Aunor’s younger grandchildren were also present and the kids surprised her with heartfelt wishes in a video, titled “Mom’s Love.”
“Salamat at nandito ang mga espesyal na tao sa buhay natin. Kumpleto ang mga anak ko, magkakasama tayong lahat na pamilya at mga tunay na kabigan. Kahit hinihingal nga ako, alam mo naman ang pinagdadaanan natin, espesyal ito kasi 70, matagal na panahon ding hindi tayo nakapag-celebrate, hindi ba? Masaya ako, Noy (her term of endearment to us ever since, which means younger brother in the Bicolano dialect), masayang-masaya!” she told us when we had a few minutes with her at the party.
Aunor’s children, except the very camera shy Kenneth, also took turns in giving impromptu messages and well wishes that made the celebrant tear up many times. Matet was with husband Mickey Estrada, Ian brought his wife Jen, and Lotlot came with husband Fadi El-Soury.
“I am just thankful that we are all here to celebrate Mama’s birthday. It’s not often that all of us siblings are complete. If I’m not mistaken, the last time was when Mama was in the hospital pa,” shared Lotlot.
Celebrities who took time out from their busy schedules to attend the special birthday bash included Aunor’s former leading men Ricky Davao, Bembol Roco and Dan Alvaro. GMA Network top executives Cheryl Ching-Sy, Helen Rose Sese and Joey Abacan also graced the event.
Rey Pumaloy and Ferdie Bernal hosted the fun program. Also spotted were Snooky Serna, directors Elwood Perez and Louie Ignacio, choreographer Geleen Eugenio, designer Nono Palmos, Marissa Delgado who brought along her daughter Avon Garcia, Deborah Sun, Liz Alindogan, Julia Clarete, Beverly Salviejo, and Sanya Lopez.
We also saw and spoke with Alfred Vargas, Aunor’s producer and coactor in the forthcoming movie Pieta. “ I am so richly blessed to be able to act with the one and only Nora Aunor. I cannot put words into what I feel, because it’s close to being in a marvel universe. She made sure I was comfortable in our scenes, she never made anyone feel that she was superior, that she is a National Artist, a superstar. She was grounded during days of filming and was humility personified.”
Vargas added, “She continues to inspire me as an actor, and now that she has reached this milestone age, I wish her only the best of what her good heart desires, and to be blessed with health and continued recovery so she can still grace our big screens with her amazing presence.”
Staying low key that night was Aunor’s longtime companion, rapper and part-time actor John Rendez who was in the venue early but left when Aunor’s children started arriving, perhaps to veer away from any untoward incident that might ruin the happy occasion. He quietly came back after Aunor’s children left. Many are aware that almost all of Aunor’s children are not in peaceful coexistence with Rendez.
We wish Aunor only the best in the coming years and may her star continue to illuminate the world of Philippine entertainment.
