Nora Aunor stands up National Artist Awards conferment in Palace

Everyone was excited if not more than proud of Nora Aunor to have finally received this season her prestigious plum from the Order of National Artists Award which was denied to her not once but thrice. The recognition is for her enormous contributions to film and broadcast arts in the Philippines. 

Not only her fellow artists from the film community but the general public were thrilled and keen to see Nora come up onstage of Malacanang to personally receive the award. As it was, most of her adoring fans wanted to document if only from exclusive photos and coverage by the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) of the historic event published in newspapers and aired on radio and TV as souvenirs but the memorabilia would be a lasting legacy of their adulation and emulation of the brilliant acts of the Superstar.

Besides, avid Noranians (even if most of them wouldn’t be allowed entry at Malacanang for protocols and security reasons) would save their voices to cheer and to scream once their idol would be called to receive the medallion from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte albeit through virtual presence. 

One could imagine how Nora fans would play it resourcefully by taking photos or shooting videos of her outside the halls of the Palace or in its designated areas as public spaces. 

In the age of social media, specifically Facebook, Nora followers would track down exclusive photos or videos of her with other living National Artists who would be around during the conferment like one of her best friends and fellow Bicolano Ricky Lee, also known as Ricardo Lee, who after the ceremony was photographed and interviewed by media at the garden in Malacanang. Nora would surely pose with Ricky. 

Alas, there was no Aunor in the national event. Many wondered why. 

According to the Nora camp, Guy was all ready to go to Malacanang last Thursday afternoon. As a matter of fact, Ate (a term of endearment to an older woman by affinity or a sister by blood) Guy had her hair cut and an exquisite gown was made exclusively for her. She was all set to go, after all. 

Sadly, when Nora sought the professional advice of her doctor, the actress was requested to just stay home to avoid big social gatherings to mitigate the infection of COVID-19 which is still raging until this very moment. 

Instead of Nora, her children Ian, Matet, Kiko and Kenneth were her representatives at the awarding rites.