By Edwin P. Sallan
InterAksyon.com
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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For
Nora Aunor’s 60th birthday celebration, the entire Meralco Multi-Purpose Hall
was transformed into a virtual museum as posters of her classic films —
including “Guy & Pip”, “”Kastilyong Buhangin”, “Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging
Isang Ina?”, “Atsay”, “My Bugoy Goes To Congress” and “Himala” — adorned the
lobby and the hallway leading to the ballroom proper.
Songs
recorded and popularized by La Aunor — such as her famous renditions of
Hawaiian classics like “Blue Hawaii”, “Tiny Bubbles” and “Pearly Shells”, plus
her version of Cinderella’s Manila Sound standard, “Superstar Ng Buhay Ko” —
were also playing in the background prior to the start of the program.
Likewise,
giant blow-up photos of the prized actress from various stages of her career
spanning six decades enveloped the ballroom as well as a full-house of longtime
fans, family members, friends, well-wishers and members of the media were on
hand to celebrate another milestone in the life and times of the one and only
Superstar.
The fast-paced and highly entertaining
program dubbed as “Nora at 60: Superstar Noon, Ngayon at Bukas”, hosted by
comedian Arnell Ignacio, began with an emotional opening prayer from Ate Guy’s
adopted daughter, Matet de Leon.
“Hindi man perpekto ang pamilya namin, nagpapasalamat
pa rin kami at binigyan n’yo kami ng isang mapagmahal na ina. Kahit minsan
hindi po namin siya nadadalaw, alam naman po niya na kasama siya sa prayers
namin. Mahal na mahal na mahal ka po namin,” Matet intoned.
When Arnell finally called La Aunor,
she was escorted onstage by “Himala” screenwriter Ricky Lee. Immediately, she
thanked TV5 for organizing her birthday celebration. “Sila po ang nagbigay ng
ating salo-salo ngayong gabi,” she noted.
As Arnell bantered with Ate Guy, he
observed the presence of other reporters from other networks and mused, “Iba ka
talaga! Ikaw lang ang makakapagpunta ng representante ng bawat channel sa isang
gathering!”
An audio-visual presentation detailing
the career highlights of the Iriga-born phenomenon were then presented onscreen
covering the many phases of her career — from winning singing contests like the
“Darigold Jamboree” and “Tawag ng Tanghalan”, her well-loved loveteam with
Tirso Cruz III, her long-running TV show, “Superstar”, her transformation as an
award-winning actress all the way to her triumphant return from the US to her
new home network, TV5.
Well-wishers who videotaped birthday
messages for the Superstar included son Ian de Leon, ex-husband Christopher de
Leon, former in-law Pilita Corrales, former leading man Cocoy Laurel,
“Superstar” choreographer Geleen Eugenio, former manager Boy Abunda, “Thy Womb”
director Brillante Mendoza, Ricky Lee, and colleagues Gabby Concepcion, Gary
Valenciano, Eric Quizon, Dawn Zulueta, Alice Dixson, Judy Ann Santos and the
hosts of “Good Morning Club”.
“Happy birthday! Senior citizen ka
na!,” cracked Ian De Leon. “Huwag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo at ‘yung
schedule mo.”
“The reason why I do what I do is first
and foremost, tagahanga ako ni Ate Guy,” Abunda confessed.
Curiously, Lotlot De Leon, Nora’s other
daughter was neither at the event nor recorded a videotaped message for her.
Same with German Moreno, a longtime friend and co-host of Ate Guy in
“Superstar”.
The event was also not without its
share of entertainment as Kapatid stars Edgar Allan Guzman, Eula Caballero, Vin
Abrenica and Nadine Samonte regaled the birthday celebrant and the rest of the
audience with an energetic dance number to the tune of Hotdog’s “Annie
Batungbakal”, from one of Nora’s famous musical films.
John Rendez, a longtime close friend of
Ate Guy, also serenaded the actress with his rap number “There Can Only Be
One”, while Morissette Amon, Gerald Santos, “Kanta Pilipinas” champion Chadleen
Lacdo-o and Jaya also performed musical numbers.
The trailer from Nora’s latest movie,
“Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti”, was also previewed as director Mes De Guzman expressed
optimism that his non-traditional approach will be accepted by fans.
“Sana magustuhan po ninyo kahit
experimental ang treatment ko dito at hindi traditional,” the director said.
Probably the biggest highlight of the
celebration was the presence of Ate Guy’s longtime fans, many of whom are also
now in their 60s. Coming from various parts of the country, these fans waited
in line at the venue for as early as 4PM and bore gifts which they personally
presented to Nora herself in their emotional meeting.
One even gave Ate Guy a big folding bed
that prompted Arnell to once again exclaim, “Iba ka nga talaga! Ikaw lang ang
artista ang nire-regaluhan ng kama sa birthday niya!”
As the theme of the celebration is
about Nora’s past, present and future, director Joel Lamangan and TV5 business
unit head JoAnn Bañaga went up the stage and announced a new project that will
revive the Guy and Pip tandem.
Dubbed as “When I Fall In Love”, the
upcoming series will also star Marvin Agustin, Akihiro Blanco, Karel Marquez
and Nadine Samonte and will be directed by Lamangan himself.
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60 TREASURES FOR THE SUPER 60TH BIRTHDAY
PHOTOS
