The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
There were two significant and memorable occasions the country of idolatry and human respect universally and successively observed recently.
On November 2, 2026, in time for the Christian ritual of remembering the spirits of the dead on All Souls Day, family, friends, sympathizers and well-wishers of the late National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor gathered around her graveyard at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City to pay her a tribute.
Whether Nora’s soul lingers in purgatory or enjoys the peaceful and angelic walks in heavens, the fans and cohorts never stopped offering flowers, lighting candles, saying prayers and sharing memories with her metaphysical presence during that day.
Ian de Leon leads Nora Aunor memorial
Actor and Aunor’s biological son Ian Kristofer de Leon led the homage to the Superstar, Nora Cabaltera Villamayor who died one year and six months ago.
Jadine de Leon, Nora’s grandchild with Ian Kristofer, actively engaged and integrated with Noranians and other admirers of all ages by holding a candle while a priest said a holy mass.
A good food was served after the religious service which Nora’s clan and followers partook delightfully.
It’s Noramania all over again at this time of the year however posthumously.
Conspicuously missing in the filial scenes, though, were Aunor’s adopted children Lotlot, Matet, Kiko and Kenneth de Leon who were fortunately complete during the internment of the popular actress in 2024.
Soon after the burial, though, familial conflicts arose between Ian and his siblings.
Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos’ 73rd b-day
The root cause of the rift was allegedly about the inheritance issues from their matriarch that have been hounding them until today.
Lotlot had accused Ian of mishandling and misinterpreting the cases which the latter had time and again denied although he had expressed some impressions he got from some people close to them.
In other words, because of miscommunication between parties, the issues have been fanned heavily.
But according to some reliable sources, Matet had recently shown unifying acts with her elder brother.
Well, Market Monitor Entertainment wishes a speedy reconciliation among the Villamayors and the de Leon.
Meanwhile, a united family was witnessed one day after Ian celebrated the peaceful heavenly journey of her mom.
Vilma Santos, Aunor’s friend and perennial rival in life and in death, was surprised by her granddaughter Peanut, sons Lucky Manzano, Ryan Christian Recto and husband Ralph Recto with a birthday bash in an undisclosed place.
The Santoses, Manzanos and Rectos gathered together to greet their matriarch happy 73rd birth anniversary of one of the living treasures of the Philippine entertainment industry.
According to BAM Entertainment, that exclusively took footages of the unforgettable event written on the heading of its video coverage posted on YouTube,
Vi, teary-eyed
“Vilma was teary-eyed by the surprise party thrown to the actress.”
When the Star for All Seasons broke in a flashy restaurant, she was met up with her playful granddaughter who was jumping with joy upon seeing her grandma who played fleetingly along adorably with her.
Santos was accompanied by her coterie including her elder sister Emilyn Santos.
Baby Vi’s daughter-in-law Jessy Mendiola was a proud member of the clan.
The beloved males, namely, Luis Manzano, father and son duo Ralph and Ryan Christian Recto planted kisses on the award-winning birthday celebrator.
Before the memorable birthdate of Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, she and Lucky’s family jubilantly gallivanted and window shopped in an unnamed mall.
It was indeed a power fuse, as usual, of showbiz and politics, when Malacanang’s Executive Secretary Ralph and Lipa’s sole congressional district representative Ryan Christian lent it the most striking mix of firmament in the regional firmament of stars and national public service.