What does Ate Guy have to do with Para kay B, the first novel of Mr. Ricky Lee? None really, except for the special dedication on my copy of the book that says: Para kay B, at para kay Guy!Imagine my surprise when I read that! Very sweet! Obviously, Mr. Ricky knew then that I am a Noranian. Sincere thanks to a Noranian friend who told Mr. Ricky that I am eagerly waiting for his Nora Aunor biography.
 
If nothing else, the dedication proved again the friendly connection between Mr. Ricky and Ate Guy. From the Himala days (when he insisted that only Nora Aunor was to play the role of Elsa), Mr. Ricky has always been an ardent supporter of Ate Guy (and vice versa). Up to this day, the two maintain a true friendship, which is based on mutual respect (career and personal wise). When others don’t give a hoot, Mr. Ricky will come out in defense of Ate Guy. He also lends support to projects/events which aim to promote the artistry of Nora Aunor. Thank you, Mr. Ricky Lee.

Come to think of it, hindi nga kaya naisip ni Mr. Ricky si Ate Guy sa papel ni “B”? Posible ito dahil si “B” ay magaling din umarte.

Ohhh, I remember something now. There’s a small trace of Ate Guy in the book. One of the main characters, “Irene,” who has a photographic memory uttered famous movie lines, two of which were “Walang Himala!”and“My brother is not a pig!” No need to say who made these lines famous and in which movies they were from, right?

“Aswang”

The second novel to be released is Aswang—a political satire. Merong connect ito kay Ate Guy kasi isang pulis na Noranian ang isa sa mga characters. Hmmm … interesting. I can’t wait to read it.

 
 
 
 


NORA AUNOR IN CHINA
By Mario I. Miclat

Jiang Qing’s favorite or not, we got to see more Hollywood films in China. We laughed and cried until we completed Charlie Chaplin from The Tramp (1915) to the The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925) to City Lights (1931), and Modern Times (1936) to The Great Dictator (1936). There was a time that our Maningning dreamt of becoming a Charlie Chaplin someday. We also saw in Beijing Patton, Che, Ragtime, and Dune, just as I saw Mondo Cane in Pyongyang.

It was also in those exclusive showings that I enjoyed Pedro Penduko with Ramon Zamora and Lotis Key. Alma and I assisted in the translation and dubbing into Chinese of Eddie Garcia’s Atsay starring Nora Aunor; Eddie Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon; and Lupita Concio’s Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo. Maningning even learned to sing the Gamu-gamo theme song. When Jiang Qing and her “Gang of Four” were overthrown upon the death of Mao, those Filipino films were publicly shown in theaters. My mother, visiting then, was disappointed she did not understand a word of Atsay. Since it was a Filipino film, I took it for granted that she understood it, too, even if Nora Aunor and Ronald Corveau spoke flawless Mandarin complete with the characteristic rolling tongue of a Beijinger!

Excerpt from the essay “The Movies in Our Minds,” Beyond the Great Wall: A Family Journal by Mario, Alma, Maningning, and Banaue Miclat (Anvil Publishing, 2006)

 
 


New Nora Aunor CD Brings Back Beatiful Music . . .
by Ellen Alejano

It was late afternoon yesterday. I was at work and talking to my husband on the phone. “Is there a CD mail in the letter box?” I asked. Hubby replied, “Don’t know, I just got in and I haven’t checked.” I said, “Then go outside and have a look, will you? (Oops, sorry I forgot to say “Please.”) If the CD is there, then save it quickly from the scorching heat (it’s hot Oz summer here, folks, and late afternoon sun can be a bit unforgiving).” That was a lame excuse, I know, but can you blame me? I was just excited to know if I will finally be able to listen to that “priceless” CD of Ate Guy when I come home. Hubby got back on the line and said, “Yes, here it is—fresh from the oven.” Funny but true, it must be really hot inside that mailbox . . . just like inside the oven.

You guessed it right. I came home last night and the first thing I picked up was the CD mail. Inside was the signed copy of Ate Guy’s new CD album Habang Panahon. Precious! After reading the sweet note from dear Cece, I popped the CD into my PC. Instantly, the family room was filled with the all too familiar golden melodious voice, singing what else but the first cut “Habang Panahon.” From the first note, I was hooked. My nine-year-old daughter who was doing her homework at that time remarked, “I don’t understand what she’s saying but I like her singing.”(Hmmm . . . teach her more Tagalog words, Mom!) Then I heard someone said, “Nice voice!” Was that my husband? If I have to say this, my husband very seldom gives compliment and when he does, there’s almost always the “but” argument added to the end of it. So those words (without the “but”), well that’s true and honest compliment. I’ll take it wholeheartedly on behalf of Ate Guy, thank you very much!

I finished listening to all the songs. The whole time I sat glued to the computer chair. I soooo love the new CD. There are 10 original songs composed by husband-and-wife team of Bodjie Dasig and Odette Quesada. They provided the nice blend of backup vocals too. Each song is beautiful with pleasant tune and meaningful, easy-to-recall lyrics. The arrangement and the mix are refreshing. Even the Christmas song titled, what else, “Pasko” has a happy, catchy jingle beat. Ballad, jazzy, upbeat, pop (whatever!), Ate Guy sung with the perfect voice. Minus high notes and high-strung interpretation, the CD is truly music to the ears, soothing and affecting. Ate Guy’s voice remains brilliant through the years. It projects the right emotion (it helps to be a great actress too, doesn’t it?). Like vintage wine, her voice has matured with smooth texture that cuts through sharply but amazingly painless.

It is not easy to pick favorites from the CD. I like “Habang Panahon,” “Ganyan Nga Ba?” and “Sa Iyo Pa Rin” the first time I heard them. The other songs got better as I listened to them over and over. Excellent pieces! My little girl is now able to sing “Starlight” (at least she gets the meaning of this one). My eldest daughter thought that the jazzy “Friends” is cool.

This new Nora CD is a wish come true. I hope that more Pinoys (and all Noranians, of course) will have the chance to listen to it. Through beautiful music, Ate Guy will ease her way to the hearts of the Filipinos, once more . . . like in the old times.

Thank you, Tony V., for making it happen.

Thank you, Mr. Bodjie and Ms. Odette, for writing the lovely songs and letting our dear Nora sing them from the heart, as always . . .

P.S. To my dear friend Cece, super thank you talaga. Luvya Sis.

From the Nora Aunor Yahoogroup, posted on February 3, 2009