The National Commission for Culture (NCCA) and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) honored National Artist Nora Aunor in a necrological service held April 22, 2025, at the Metropolitan Theater. – Photo Courtesy of NCCA and CCP
TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — National Artist Nora Aunor, the iconic voice of Philippine cinema and culture, was laid to rest on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani with full state and military honors.
It marked a historic moment not only for the entertainment industry but for the country at large, as the nation bid farewell to one of its most transformative artists.
The solemn ceremony included a 21-gun salute—an honor rarely accorded to cultural figures—and was attended by government officials, fellow artists, and thousands of fans.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared April 22 a “Day of National Mourning,” recognizing Aunor’s unparalleled contributions to the Filipino soul.
“She was more than a star. She was a national treasure who reflected the hopes, struggles, and stories of our people,” President Marcos said in his official message.
Together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts celebrated the life and legacy of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor through a necrological service at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. Officials from the NCCA, led by Chair Victorino Mapa Manalo and Executive Director Eric Zerrudo, and CCP President Kaye Tinga and Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Ma. Carissa Coscolluela also graced the event.
Photos by: Mervin Vergara and Saidee Hadjerel (NCCA PAIO), Mark Herald Ocampo and Jeferson Cadacio (NCCA ONA)
A Life That Shaped a Nation
Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Aunor’s rise to stardom began in the late 1960s.
Her remarkable talent—both as an actress and singer—broke barriers and elevated the voices of the marginalized. From her early days as a singing champion to her era-defining performances in Himala, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Bona, and Thy Womb, she challenged the norms of beauty and fame, favoring substance, truth, and emotional depth.
Her body of work reflected the struggles and resilience of everyday Filipinos, and she became an enduring symbol of integrity and authenticity in art.
A Nation Mourns
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos paid their respects to National Artist Nora Aunor during her wake, honoring her enduring legacy in Philippine arts and culture. – Photo Credit : Philippine Information Agency
On the morning of April 22, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) hosted a necrological service titled “Raising the Nation for Nora Aunor” at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
The event brought together fellow National Artists, cultural leaders, and longtime collaborators in a solemn tribute to the Superstar’s artistic legacy.
Through heartfelt eulogies and stirring performances, the program traced the arc of Aunor’s influence across decades.
The Metropolitan Theater stage—adorned with wreaths and a large portrait of Aunor—served as the nation’s symbolic altar for collective remembrance.
Final Honors
Family, friends, loved ones, and fans bore witness to the full military honors given to the National Artist before being laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. – Photos courtesy of NAAC and CCP
Following the service, Aunor’s flag-draped casket was escorted in a funeral cortege to Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, where she was laid to rest with full state honors. Crowds lined the streets, waving flags, holding candles, and placing flowers in tribute.
As members of the Armed Forces rendered a 21-gun salute, the country stood still in reverence—honoring not just a cultural icon, but a woman whose life and art elevated the Filipino spirit.
A Legacy That Lives On
Nora Aunor was conferred the title of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, but her influence had long been woven into the nation’s creative fabric.
Her voice, presence, and fearless pursuit of truth shaped Philippine cinema—and gave voice to the voiceless.
While the ceremonies have drawn to a close, her influence remains—alive in classrooms, echoed in film retrospectives, and in every Filipino story still waiting to be told.
