PBBM declares April 22 day of nat’l mourning for Nora Aunor

“The nation mourns and joins the family and friends of National Artist Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in this moment of grief and remembrance,” he added. (File Photo By Judgefloro/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared April 22, 2025 (Tuesday) as a Day of National Mourning for the passing of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, or Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in real life.

The national flag shall be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset, on all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad on April 22, according to Proclamation 870 inked by Marcos on Monday.

Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines provides that the flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all buildings and places where it is displayed on the day of the interment of a recipient of the National Artist award.

“The passing of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, also known as Nora Aunor, is a great loss to the Filipino people and to the nation’s cultural and artistic community,” Marcos said in Proclamation 870.

“The nation mourns and joins the family and friends of National Artist Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in this moment of grief and remembrance,” he added.

Marcos said Aunor’s outstanding contribution to Philippine cinema, television, and music “has left a lasting legacy on the nation’s collective memory and identity.”

“Her artistry, depth, and dedication as a performer elevated the standard of excellence in the fields of arts and culture, and inspired generations of actors, filmmakers, and audiences, both in local and international stage,” he said.

Aunor, known as the “Superstar” of Philippine cinema, starred in 170 films and was a recipient of various awards and citations by local and international organizations.

She bagged her first Best Actress awards at the Gawad Urian and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) for her performance in the film “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos.”

She was also known for her iconic roles in the films “Bona” (1980), “Himala” (1982), “Bulaklak sa City Jail” (1984), and “The Flor Contemplacion Story” (1995).

Aunor was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts under Proclamation 1390 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2022.

She last starred in the horror movie “Mananambal,” which hit cinemas in February.

The state funeral for Aunor started with arrival honors at the Arroceros Forest Park in Manila at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, and was followed by a necrological service at the Metropolitan Theater at 9 a.m.