Ms. Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, popularly known as Nora “Ate Guy” Aunor, is regarded as the “Superstar” of Philippine entertainment for her exemplary performance in film, television, stage, and music since 1967 until the present.

Last November 2013, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts submitted her name, along with six others to the President of the Philippines, endorsing them to become new National Artists of the Philippines.

This so called "National Artist of the Philippines" award is an order bestowed by the Philippines on Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine art and is considered the highest state honor conferred on individuals deemed as having done much for their artistic field.

Now last Friday, after a long and restless wait, the Malacanang finally released the new list of National Artists proclaimed by President Noynoy Aquino, eight months after the CCP and NCCA submitted their endorsement.

But instead of complete joy and celebration, the announcement was followed by great public outcry due to one small but greatly significant detail.

Nora Aunor was not on the list. She was the only one who got dropped from the names recommended.

Since then, thousands of Filipinos have expressed disappointment, outrage and bewilderment at the unexplained exclusion.

And us as Bicolanos have felt great sorrow and empathize with the injustice dealt to a fellow Bicolana who has not only brought great honor and pride to our country, but has also been a source of inspiration, right from her humble beginnings as a water vendor on the famed Bicol Express Train in Iriga City to a multi-awarded artist as an actress and singer who, up to this day, remains unparalleled.

The exclusion is a great puzzle to most. It is common knowledge that Nora Aunor is a legend in the field of Film and Broadcast Arts. She has dedicated around 47 years of her life to the development of Philippine Culture and Arts, benchmarked by over 110 nominations and wins for various awards and commendations earned not just here in the Philippines but also in the world.

Ms. Aunor is the most nominated actress for the leading role in the long history of Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Award (FAMAS Award which is voted on by Palanca Award-winning writers and movie columnists and writers within the industry), having been nominated 17 times since 1973;

She is  also the only performer in the long history of FAMAS Awards to be nominated for fifteen (15) straight years from 1973 to 1987

As of 2013, Ms. Aunor is the most nominated actress of Gawad Urian with 17 nominations and 7 wins and the very first best actress awardee, the most awarded and the most nominated actress of the Metro Manila Film Festival with eight (8) best actress trophies and from Young Critics Circle with nine (9) nominations and five (5) wins, the only actress to win the best actress trophy from the Film Academy of the Philippines for 3 straight years

She even has the most number of international best actress awards and nominations more than any other Filipino actors, namely, the 19th Cairo International Film Festival in 1995, 1st East Asia Film and Television Award in 1997 and Asian Film Awards in 2013, 31st Festival International du Film Indépendant de Bruxelles in 2004 and Premio Della Critica Indipendiente in 2013, Asia Pacific Screen Award in 2012 and from the Green Planet Movie Award.

On her own she created a new paradigm of a great Filipina artist.

More than anyone, Nora Aunor deserves to be proclaimed as a National Artist.

This is not just Nora Aunor’s fight.

As Bicolanos who owe so much pride and joy from the first woman movie artist who broke the barrier of a stereotyped mestiza Filipino movie star that gave hope and happiness to Filipinos who empathize and indentify with her remarkable acting and golden voice, we will not let her face this alone.

So we join her staunch supporters in urging President Aquino to reconsider his decision and proclaim Nora Aunor as a National Artist.

Others may claim that she is unworthy of the honor due to her illegal drug possession charge.

Others say that it was her sexuality that was her downfall.

Others point out that political views had a hand in the controversial decision.

BUT we say her PERSONAL life should not overshadow how great her contribution is to Philippine Culture.

We say politics should not undermine national interest.

We say that a person’s past mistakes does not define her worth as an icon.

We don’t need a perfect person as a National Artist.

We need someone as real, as dedicated, as genuine and as truly and wonderfully talented as the Nora Aunor.

And now we ask each of you to join us in this fight.

Make this your fight too.

Let’s help our country give Nora Aunor what she deserves.

 

Let’s support our Superstar. #Bicolanos4NoraasNA