SUPERSTARstruck: The Nora Aunor Fanatics Blog

You Tube video posted by Frida Manalo

The IndioBravo Film Foundation is proud to present the first annual IndioBravo Filipino Film Festival on June 11-14, 2009 in New York City, showcasing the boldest and most internationally acclaimed works by Filipino filmmakers in recent years.

Opening night takes place Thursday, June 11, at the Museum of Modern Art (11 West 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) with the North American premiere of Baler, a historical, romantic epic which swept awards at the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival, and 100, winner of audience and best film awards at festivals in Pusan, Korea and Vesoul, France.

The festival continues Friday to Sunday, June 12-14, at the Visual Arts Theater in Chelsea, 333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in New York City.

CENTERPIECE FILM: Screening Friday, June 12 is the magnificent Foster Child by Brillante Mendoza, director of 2008’s internationally acclaimed art-house hit Serbis.

SPECIAL SCREENING: Also screening Friday is Lav Diaz’ bold, 8-hour drama Melancholia, winner of the Venice International Film Festival’s 2008 Orrizonti (Horizons) Award for best feature. This special screening takes place at the Millennium Film Work Shop, 66 East 4th Street between Bowery and Second Avenues.

CLOSING NIGHT: On Sunday, June 14, Indio Bravo is proud to screen Jay, an uproarious satire of reality television and an official entry in the Venice International Film Festival of 2008. The festival concludes with an awards ceremony and reception at the Visual Arts Theater at 8 p.m.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Other notable titles include Donsol, an elegaic love story set in an idyllic resort town; Carnivore, about a harrowing fraternity initiation; the animated Dayo, about a young boy’s journey to save his abducted grandparents; the romantic comedy and box office smash My Only U, and the genre-busting mockumentary Confessional. IBFF ‘09 also features Ishmael Bernal’s 1983 masterpiece, Himala (Miracle), named in a 2008 CNN viewers’ poll as the best Asian-Pacific film of all time.

TICKETS: On sale Friday, May 1. Tickets for all screenings (except opening night) are $12.50 until May 29, and $15 after May 29. Available for sale online at www.indiobravo.org.

OPENING NIGHT:  Tickets for opening-night screenings on Thursday, June 11 (Baler and 100) are $20 each in advance, $25 at the door and include an after-party at plush lounge Nikki Beach, 151 East 50th Streets between Lexington and Third Avenues, featuring Mylene Dizon, star of 100, and other stars of this year’s film lineup. Tickets available at www.indiobravo.org.

VIP RECEPTION: A private reception and screening for industry executives and members of the media will take place on Thursday, May 28 at the SoHo House, a members-only club in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Contact Caroline Cruz, ccruz@indiobravo.org.

PRESS: General-market U.S. press—Angelo Ragaza, aragaza@indiobravo.org, 917-705-9572.


FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 11—Opening Night Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, New York City

7:15 p.m. Baler (110 mins), MoMA Titus 1
9: 30 p.m. Opening Night Selection: 100 (116 mins), MoMA Titus 2
11:30 p.m. Opening Night After-Party at Nikki Beach, 151 East 50th St between Lexington and 3rd Avenues (opening night tickets required)

Friday, June 12 1:00 p.m. Special Screening: Melancholia(7 and 1/2 hours) at Millennium Film Workshop, 66 East 4th Street between Bowery and Second Avenue

Visual Arts Theater 1, 333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, New York City

6:00 p.m. God Only Knows (17 mins.) with Huling Balyan ng Buhi (“The Woven Side of the Other,” 89 mins.)
8:10 p.m. Kultado (“Curdled,” 21 mins.) with Carnivore (80 mins.)
10:15 p.m. Yanggaw (“Affliction,” 105 mins.)

Visual Arts Theater 2, 333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, New York City

6:00 p.m. To Siomai Love (26 mins.) with When Timawa Meets Delgado (60 mins.)
8:00 p.m. Angan-Angan (“Dream,” 15 mins.) with Centerpiece Selection: Foster Child  (98 mins.)
10:10 p.m. Kamera (“Camera,”  13 mins.) with Donsol (100 mins.)

Saturday, June 13 Visual Arts Theater 1

2:00 p.m. Performing Naturalness (3 mins.) with Endo (95 mins.)
4:00 p.m. Musa (“Muse,” 19 mins.) with Confessional (90 mins.)
5:15 p.m. Yanggaw (“Affliction,” 105 mins)
7:30 p.m. My Only U (110 mins.)
10:00 p.m. Kagat ng Dilim (“Dark Bites,” 15 mins.) with Jay (94 mins.)

Visual Arts Theater 2

5:00 p.m. Donsol (100 mins.)
7:00 p.m. 100 (116 mins.)
9:20 p.m. Himala (“Miracle” 120 mins.)

Sunday, June 14 Visual Arts Theater 1

2:00 p.m. Putot (20 mins.) with Dayo (90 mins.)
4:10 p.m. Baler (110 mins.)
6:20 p.m. Lata at Tsinelas (“Can and Slippers,” 3 mins.) with Foster Child (98 mins.)

Visual Arts Theater 2

3:30 p.m. Salat (“Touch,” 12 mins.) with Confessional (90 mins.)
5:45 p.m. Closing Night Selection: Jay (94 mins.)
8:00 p.m. Closing Ceremonies/Awards Night

IndioBravo Film Foundation, http://indiobravo.org/

Whenever Superstar Nora Aunor gains a negative rating from the cynical press herd, it means nothing to her adoring fans. They are always ready to shield their beloved Ate Guy by all means.

Take the case of her enterprising but generous fan Gari “Yan” Gabrinao, who just launched a new radio program, Superstar ‘Yan, in dwBL 1242 khz at 7:30 to 8:30 last Sunday night featuring Nora’s old and new songs, news and piles of her showbiz contributions and achievements.

If responses would be the gauge, the program’s initial airing was a big hit. Gari just couldn’t have enough of the text messages and calls coming from Malabon, Cavite, Metro Manila and other places as far as Talim Island. This early, Gari’s instant captive listeners are asking for a two-or-three-hour extension of the show and some more classic tunes of the Superstar. Call it a revival of Nora’s golden voice or Nora Aunor mania? Well, sort of.

Here goes some of the news from the initial edition of Superstar ‘Yan:

• That the academe-based critics group PASADO handed recently the PinakaPasadong Artista sa Lahat ng Panahon citation to Ate Guy for her world-renowned classic film Himala, which was also awarded with PinakaPasadong Pelikula sa Lahat ng Panahon. Himala’s scriptwriter Ricky Lee accepted the award for Himala and on Nora’s behalf.

• That the 25th Star Awards for Movies on May 28 will also honor Nora with the Global Achievement in Cinematic Excellence and International Recognition as the Lead Actress in Himala. The said movie emerged as CNN-UK Best Asia Pacific Film of All-Time in 2008.

• That Nora’s reported next film outing is a Hollywood movie on the plight of the Filipino migrants in the US. It’s in collaboration with enfant terrible director Celso Ad. Castillo and Miramax International Productions.

• That copies of Nora’s latest all original album, Habang Panahon, composed by husband and wife team Odette Quesada-Bodjie Dasig, recorded entirely in the US, were literally off the US record bars’ shelves — they are sold out! Anyway, the album will have its local launching in June in time for the opening of classes.

• That the launch of the special edition of Ricky Lee’s Si Tatang at Mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, on May 31 at PowerBooks SM Megamall will be capped with the post-celebration of Nora’s birthday by GANAP and the Nora Aunor Federation Fans club.

• That anytime Nora comes home, she will also be feted by the Batangas-Laguna Association of Teachers of Culture and the Arts (Balatca) headed by Metrobank Outstanding Teacher awardee Mrs. Agapita Nery. La Aunor is honored as Balatca’s first “Dakilang Kayumanggi ng Lahi” for films. The second honoree is Ramon Magsaysay awardee Bienvenido Lumbera for literature and the third is sculptor Ed Castrillo for visual arts. This year, Balatca hands its fourth to Lea Salonga for drama and music.

• Pit Maliksi is a college English professor at the PUP Sto. Tomas, Batangas Campus and La Consolacion College, Tanauan City. He is a freelance writer, a graduate of UST and Central Texas College, USA, is a Sto. Tomas Balita editor and Sto. Tomas Batangas Municipal librarian.

The Daily Tribune, May 28, 2009
http://www.tribune.net.ph/life/20090528lif4.html

There is this new video shop located close to my Korean hairdresser. The shop (including my hairdresser’s) is outside the main mall. Hindi busy ang lugar. Sasadyain mo talaga. I was surprised to see that it is a Pinoy shop. I thought that the Pinoy owner should have known better and set up his business in another location. As well, I didn’t think that there are enough Pinoys in the area. Anyway, I went inside and found the shop owner in his lonesome. He must be delighted to see one customer walking in. We exchanged pleasantries. Then he asked if I work in the nearby hospital. Familiar daw ang face ko at may kamukha raw akong nurse doon. That was not the first time I heard that comment. Sa loob-loob ko, ang dami ko namang carbon copies!! At dito pa sa Australia na di naman karamihan ang Pinoy. I told him “No, I don’t work in any hospital at all” (ang taray! ha-ha).

Sinarvey ko ng tingin ang shop nya. There are Pinoy CDs, VCDs and DVDs ... all neatly tucked in the shelves. They are all original and, he said ... not for rent, only for sale. Tinanong niya kung meron daw ba akong hinahanap in particular. Siyempre Noranian ako kaya sabi ko ’yung mga movies ni Nora Aunor ... ni Ate Guy. Meron daw sya at sabay kuha ng isang DVD from one of the shelves. Aba eh sukat ba namang ipakita ’yung DVD ng Imortal! Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam na movie pala ni Vilma ’yun; nalaman ko lang dahil nakita ko ’yung face ni Vi sa DVD cover. Nabigla yata ako dahil medyo tumaas ang boses ko nang mag-dialogue ako ng “Eh, aanhin ko ’yan? Si Ate Guy ang gusto ko, wala akong interes kay Ate Vi.”

Napangiti ang shop owner at nag-sorry. Eh ako naman patay-malisya at nagtanong ulit kung meron syang DVD ng Himala. Alam daw niya meron (Hello! at di pa sigurado eh shop niya ’yun? but at least he knows about Himala). Hinanap niya. Medyo natagalan pa nga. Sa isip-isip ko, lagot siya kapag Burlesk Queen ang inilabas niyang DVD (he-he). Maya-maya ay nag-dialogue siya ng “Ay, heto pala, nag-iisa na lang ang kopya.” Sabi ko naman, “Aba at may Himala nga! Eh bakit isa lang ang kopya mo? Dapat umorder ka pa ng marami dahil highly recommended ang movie na ’yan, CNN’s Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Movie of All Time.” “Ay ganu’n ba?” tanong naman nya. Sabi ko, “Oo naman tsaka dapat alam mo ’yan, dapat updated ka sa latest Pinoy movie news kasi ’yan ang business mo eh” (at pinangaralan ko pa daw ang may-ari, hahahaha). Eto na po at nag-sales talk na siya. Lima raw ang Himala copies niya pero nabili na ’yung apat kaya isa na lang ang natira. Nag-order na nga raw sya ng ilang kopya pero baka matagalan pa. $20 daw ang DVD at bilhin ko na (ang mahal huh!).

Magaling daw talaga si Nora kaya lang ... at ito ang malaking kaya lang, KAYA LANG DAW eh SAYANG. Hmp! Sa loob-loob ko eh hanggang dito ba naman ito pa rin ang maririnig ko. Sa Internet kasi eh nababasa ko rin ang ganitong komento and I admit, nakakapikon na rin. Alam ko naman ang punto nila, always sa personal na buhay ni Nora. Kesyo hindi raw kasi nag-ipon nu’ng kasikatan kaya nauwi rin sa wala. Kesyo tumanda nang walang pinagkatandaan dahil sa ganito at ganyan.  Ewan!  Nakalimutan na nila ang mga naiambag na sining nu’ng tao at ang mga natulungan niya (not to mention ang mga nanloko sa kanya). Nakakapagod na ring makipagtalo. Hindi ko na rin sana papansinin ang nakakairitang komento pero di ako nakatiis. Pinatulan ko na rin. Huminga muna ako nang medyo malalim bago sumagot ng “Hindi sayang si Nora. Ang sayang eh ’yung mga taong hindi pa nakakadiskubre ng extraordinary talent nya ... ng tunay na sining ... ng ibang level ng akting na kay Nora Aunor mo lang makikita at mararamdaman, ng ginintuang tinig sa pag-awit. Nasa Amerika na si Nora ngayon. Hindi siya mayaman pero so what?? Simpleng buhay siya ngayon at siguro mas mabuti ’yun para sa kanya. Nagagawa niya ang gusto niya nang walang maraming nakikialam.” Hindi kumibo ang shop owner. Buti naman at sinunod nya ang motto na “The customer is always right.”  Sa isip niya siguro eh “Sobrang diehard Noranian pala ito.”

I did not get anything from the shop.  I already have two copies of Himala. There’s no need to buy another one. Tsaka mas mabuti na ’yung iba ang makabili at makapanood ng huling kopya para naman mas dumami pa ang mabiyayaan ng kakaibang husay ng pelikula, ng kakaibang galing ni Nora Aunor. Interesado sana ako sa DVD ng Oro Plata Mata (another classic movie) pero may kamahalan so in the end, I decided not to buy it. Sa Pinas ko na lang bibilhin kapag nakauwi ako ulit.

Before I left the shop, sinabihan ko na lang ang shop owner ng “Good luck” sa new business niya. Kailangan niya ’yun, I think. Hindi ako business expert pero I can tell na mahihirapan mag-survive ang business niya sa lugar na hindi naman karamihan ang Pinoy and with not so cheap prices. I’m sure the resourceful Pinoys will find other means to obtain movie copies even without spending a cent. Almost 30 minutes na pala ako sa shop and the whole time, walang ibang customer. Naisip ko, hindi kaya masayang lang ang investment ng shop owner?

While I was driving home, natawa ako sa sarili ko. Sa tanang-buhay ng pagka-Noranian ko, that was the first time na ipinagtanggol ko si Ate Guy ng harap-harapan sa hindi ko kakilala.  Did I just make a fool of myself?  Maybe ... whatever.  It felt good though ... and as for the shop owner, perhaps now he would think twice before saying the word “sayang” when a “Nora Aunor” conversation comes up again.

Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon, Ricky Lee’s groundbreaking anthology, will be reissued as a special collector’s edition in a book launch on May 31, Sunday, 3:00 p.m. at Power Books – Megamall Bldg. A.

First released in 1988, Si Tatang combines Lee’s feature articles, interviews, and short stories, including “Servando Magdamag” and “Kabilang sa mga Nawawala.” It also features the full screenplay of the Nora Aunor-starrer Himala, which recently won CNN Viewers' Choice as the Best Asia Pacific Film of All Time, besting Akira Kurosawa and Wong Kar Wai films in the process.

This special edition features a new cover design, improved layout, new photographs and illustrations, plus 28 additional pages with a reprinted feature about Direk Lino Brocka written after his death in 1992 and a newly written article on the making of Himala that relates never-before-revealed behind-the-scene anecdotes. A must-read for film scholars and enthusiasts.

Ricky Lee is also the author of Trip to Quiapo, considered the Filipino scriptwriting bible. His successful first novel Para kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin) continues to capture the readers' imagination and has been reprinted barely three months after it was launched last November.

Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon will be available come May 31 at all Power Books and National Bookstore branches. Pre-orders will get a P70.00 discount from the regular price (P450.00) until May 31 through Jerry at 928-9557 / 0921-7849363/ 0917-5331948 or through e-mail writers.studio12@ gmail.com. Special gifts will be given to those who can bring copies of the old edition during the launch.

Dear Nora,

You're one of the women, along with my mother, sister, and wife, who have been an almost inseparable part of my life. At least since I was 12 years old, when I first saw you singing “I’ll Never Find Another You” in a movie where you played a bit part together with Tirso Cruz III. There definitely was something in you: true, you're not the mestiza type as Rosemarie Sonora who was the lead actress in that movie (if I remember the title right—Bittersweet), yet you stirred a strange kind of emotion in me. Was it your voice? Was it just the song? When I came home, I was profuse with praises for you as I told my elder sister about how good a singer that little girl was in the movie I had seen. That was in 1969.

Forty years have passed and everything is now history: how that sing-and-dance newcomer rose to become a phenomenal superstar and the Philippines’ Greatest Actress of All Time. I remember my teenage days when it seemed the whole nation knew of only one entertainment personality: you! During those dreamy days of my youth, everything seemed to revolve around you. Just hearing your songs was enough to make me stop whatever I was doing and listen intently to every lyrics you breathed into. My waking hours were never complete without the thoughts of you. The first time I ever had the chance to go to Manila, the Big City, my one fondest wish was to perchance see you! In my young mind, I thought: I could be lucky, you never know! And as years went by, I could not feel contented with just seeing you in the movies, on TV or in magazines. Seeing you in person had somehow become an obsession.

The first time I saw you was when you came to Legazpi City with President Marcos and his party campaigning for an election in 1980. It was one of those days I felt thankful to have been assigned in that far-flung area of the country. To see you! it was probably the reason why I was assigned in the Bicol region, your birthplace (of course, I did not pass the chance to visit your house in Iriga during one of my trips there!). Anyway, I was starstruck as I watched you from a distance; you were chewing gum but still I felt like I was staring at a royal figure whose every movement was nothing but regal and enchanting. I almost didn’t want to blink my eyes and watched your every move, the way you stared at the adoring fans in front of you, making me wonder if you were rather scared, the way you approached your colleagues and as you gave Mat Ranillo a light peck on his cheek while you were all onstage.

The next time I saw you was when I was already working in Saudi Arabia. In one of my vacations, I watched DH with my wife, an avowed Vilmanian, but whom you managed to win over with that incomparable performance of yours on stage. Who wouldn’t be? Just in front of us was the late Ishmael Bernal who blurted “P - - - ina, Nora, ang galing-galing mo talaga!” Then I saw you again in Riyadh, when you came with then presidential candidate Joseph Estrada. The fans could not be controlled as they mobbed, hugged and kissed you onstage.  

After 12 years in Saudi Arabia, I decided to try my luck in the US, but before leaving the Philippines I exerted effort to watch your concert at the Music Museum. Somehow I was worried it may be my last chance to see you in person. But heaven must really know how much I admire you. Even here in the US, I was given opportunities to see you again. In June 2004, when you came for your concert with Kuh Ledesma, we met you at the Newark International Airport. You spoke so humbly to me that the words didn’t seem to come from the Philippine entertainment’s biggest star (“Kumusta naman po kayo? Kumusta ang misis ninyo?”) They still were the words of that little girl just starting in the movies! In the summer of 2006, I watched your concert in Columbia University in New York with my wife and my best friend. Both were Vilma admirers, but as I expected, you mesmerized them both by your presence. They even ran after you and urged me to take their pictures with you!

When my first major play was successfully staged in the US, it was around the same time when you won Best Actress awards for Naglalayag. I thought to myself that maybe my life was somehow intertwined with that of my favorite Superstar. This year, on your 56th birthday, just a few days after you received the PASADO Actress of Highest Honors award for your performance in Himala, my second child graduated from his Nursing course with a Gold Medal, the highest in his class and the first Filipino in his school to attain such honor!

It has been so many years since the day I first saw you in that 1969 movie. I have become a father of three kids, two of whom are now college graduates while the other one had been to different countries for work. But one thing has remained: I’m still your number one fan. And the 21st of May will always be a very significant date for me.

Happy Birthday, Nora, and thank you for the joy you’ve brought into the life of millions. In my prayers always are wishes for you to find true happiness, especially the kind of happiness found in serving the Greatest Artist of All: our Father on Earth and Father in Heaven.

Take the best care of yourself for your family, for all of us who love you, but mostly, for you—because we truly care for you!

Ting Aquino

A POEM FOR NORA AUNOR
BY BILLY SIENES

Railways and trains
and peddled water
are the icons
on our minds
as we wait for you
to return
with a miracle.

The stars are dimming,
waiting
for you, the Superstar
to reappear
in the murky firmament.
You, again glorious,
visible.

Come back here
where voices
are often shrill
and piercing.
Come back singing
with your voice
even more golden
than the sunrises
and sunsets
of our waiting.

Return with eyes riveting,
cast a glance
on our silver screen
that is fading.
Perform wonders again
with potrayals
of Woman, even of Man.
Blow them away
again.

You’ve had
your crucifixions,
our Superstar.
You have bled enough.
Many still believe
in your resurrection.

And in your homecoming,
it will be us
who shall offer you
waters of devotion.

Tinanghal si Nora Aunor bilang “Aktres na may Pinakamataas na Papuri” sa 11th PASADO Gawad Sining Sine na ginanap sa Manila Grand Opera Hotel, May 16, 2009. Ang kanyang tropeo ay tinanggap ng kaibigang si Ricky Lee, na ginawaran din ng parangal bilang “Manunulat na may Pinakamataas na Papuri.” Unang recipients ng naturang awards sina Ate Guy at Sir Ricky.

Isa sa highlights ng gabi ang parangal sa Himala bilang “Pasadong Pelikula sa Lahat ng Panahon.” Sabi sa binasang citation:  

“Ang Himala ay isang pelikulang nananatiling pinakapaborito at pinakaepektibo na kagamitan sa pagtuturo ... Pabalik-balik pa rin itong ipinalalabas, mainit pa ring pinag-uusapan, at walang sawang pinag-aaralan. Hanggang ngayon patuloy pa rin itong umaani ng parangal sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, kabilang na rito ang pagkilala ng CNN bilang Best Film of All Time in the Asia-Pacific region nitong nakaraang taon.

“Ngayong gabi, bukod sa pagkilala ng PASADO sa magaling na direktor nito na si Ishmael Bernal, pinararangalan ng PASADO ang dalawa pang matatayog na haligi sa likod ng pelikulang ito na sumasalamin sa sarili nitong galing, laman, at dating. Sila ang nagsisilbing simbolo ng pelikulang ito.”

Sabay nang tinanggap ni Sir Ricky ang tropeo nila ng Superstar. Sa kanyang acceptance speech, sabi niya:  

“Ginawa namin ang Himala noong 1982—sa budget na 2.7 million pesos—sa loob ng dalawang buwan, kalaban ang walang tigil na pag-ulan, bagyo, iba’t ibang klaseng sakit, flu, dysentery, mga away sa set dahil sa nawawalang panty o continuity. Pero masayang isipin na after 26 years ay napapansin pa rin siya at nabibigyan ng parangal …

“Kung wala si Nora walang Himala. Binuo namin ang Himala na siya lang ang nasa isip namin. Sinulat ko ’yon para kay Nora noong 1976. Kung naririto si Nora, alam kong pasasalamatan niya ang lahat ng tao na, sa walang tigil na akyat-baba ng buhay at pelikula, walang-sawang naniwala at tumangkilik sa kanya hanggang ngayon … ”

Maraming salamat sa bumubuo ng PASADO.

Some sidelights of interest to Noranians:

·        Sa intermission sa pagitan ng concert at awards proceedings, pinatugtog ang tatlong unang tracks ng Habang Panahon CD ni Ate Guy. Isa ang komedyanteng si Eugene Domingo sa nakapansin sa pamilyar na tinig ni Ate Guy, nabanggit ni Sir Ricky. Agad ding nakilala ni German Moreno ang tinig ng kaibigan. "Batang-bata pa ang boses ni Nora," komento pa ni Sir Ricky. Inanunsiyo ang bagong CD ni Ate Guy.

·        Isang gurong miyembro ng PASADO ang tumayong “Nora Aunor” buong gabi, mula nang mag-comment si Eugene Domingo na ka-height nito si Ate Guy.

·        Sumuporta sa awards night ang mga Noranian mula sa Federation, GANAP, at ICON. Hindi nagkulang sa cheering squad.

·        Sa binasang roster of PASADO best actress winners, special mention si Ate Guy bilang huling binanggit:  “AT ANG NAG-IISANG SUPERSTAR, si Ms. Nora Aunor …”

‘Superfan’: The gay behind Ate Guy
by Meryll Yan

Before Manny Pacquiao and even before Judy Ann Santos and Sharon Cuneta, there was one person who epitomized the word “idol” and that was actress Nora Aunor. Nora is the Filipino dream made real.

Plucked from a life of poverty and obscurity and thrust into the stage, she started collecting singing trophies at the age of 11 and later won in the Tawag ng Tanghalan show. The rest, as they say, is history, and the chocolate-skinned, plain-faced girl would rewrite all the showbiz rules and go on to become the Superstar.

Philippine showbiz may have already produced a constellation of talents, but none can yet rival the Superstar, or Ate Guy as she is fondly called by her supporters. Many a biography has been done on the great Nora Aunor, but none yet to feature her most loyal devotee—Mandy Diaz.

That is, until now.

Thanks to Clodualdo “Doy” del Mundo Jr., the pen behind iconic films Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, Kisapmata and ’Merika, Diaz now gets to tell his story.

Superfan, the latest digital short film written, produced and directed by Del Mundo, recounts the life of Diaz, the number-one fan of the Superstar. It is only fitting that the Superstar would have an equal-wattage fan in the person of Diaz. If Aunor started her career at 11, Diaz began his fandom when he was in Grade 1. If Aunor endorsed Coke, Diaz drank Coke. If Aunor had a movie out, Diaz would be the first to watch it. Even in his deathbed, Diaz forbade his friends from burying him if Aunor did not visit his coffin.

Diaz did not live in a parallel universe with Aunor. His universe was Aunor.

Having started his obsession with Aunor at a very young age, Diaz would eventually accumulate a priceless collection of Aunor memorabilia — magazine covers, gowns, vinyl records and everything else Nora. It is not surprising that he would become the walking encyclopedia of Aunor’s life and career.

In Superfan, del Mundo re-imagines the life of Diaz, who is ably fleshed out by in the film by veteran thespian Nonie Buencamino.

How did del Mundo channel Diaz’s spirit? “I read Mandy’s essay, `Himala,’ about his life as a Noranian, and I also interviewed his partner and his fellow Noranians,” recounts del Mundo, and thus resulting in the words for Buencamino to deliver.

Since Diaz’s life revolved around Aunor, watching Superfan is like taking an audio- visual trip down Aunor’s career. Clips from classic Aunor movies complement Diaz’s retelling of his life. The film even includes a bit of cheek on the Nora Aunor versus Vilma Santos rivalry. If Aunor was the Filipino Cinderella, then Diaz was her self-styled fairy gaymother.

Humor aside, Diaz’s story is really that of a life offered to the service of his idol. Del Mundo wisely describes the protagonist, “A fan manifests behavior that is irrational. You cannot explain it.” Through the character of Diaz, we see fame from the point of view of the admiring rather than the admired. And in him, we see an extreme, but true, version of ourselves — ordinary people who live vicariously through the bigger, shinier lives of our extraordinary idols. Although Diaz has already passed away, the mania is still alive as proven by the colorful cast of true Noranians who are also featured in Del Mundo’s film.

Filipinos are famous for many things — our boxing skills, family values and universal talent for videoke. Yet one other thing that we can claim is our national obsession with stars. Between fame and fortune, Filipinos will choose fame, and this hypothesis is very much true in the life of Mandy Diaz — the Superfan. If there’s a saying that behind every great man is a great woman, then in the case of Ate Guy, she had a great gay.

Superfan also stars Teri Onor, Raisa Ver, and Mica Torre.

Del Mundo’s other credits include Maid in Singapore, Ehemplo, Muni-muni, and the best picture of the first Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Pepot Artista. He is also the chairman of the Philippine Independent Filmmakers Multipurpose Cooperative.

For inquiries, bookings or special screening requests, e-mail burukafilms@ yahoo.com.

The Daily Tribune, May 16, 2009, http://www.tribune.net.ph/life/20090516lif3.html