SUPERSTARstruck: The Nora Aunor Fanatics Blog

This screening of Himala will be held in Kuala Lumpur. See the Annexe Gallery website for more details about the event and the organization.

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE presents HIMALA

Selected and introduced by Amir Muhammad

Film Screening

Mon 6 July, 8pm

Presented by The Annexe Gallery: The Art & Soul of Kuala Lumpur

Admission Free, bring your own snacks

Monday Night Movie is a new series of monthly film screenings at The Annexe Gallery, with titles chosen and introduced by guest curators.

Our first title, chosen by filmmaker/writer/publisher Amir Muhammad, is Himala (“Miracle”, 1982), an award-winning Filipino film directed by the late Philippine National Artist Ishmael Bernal.

Based on a 1967 incident and news report, Himala tells the story of Elsa, a barrio lass whose visions of the Virgin Mary changes her life and causes hysteria in a poor, isolated village. The film is centered on the issues of religious faith and faithlessness. The film stars Philippine superstar Nora Aunor in the leading role.

The movie premiered at the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival, and in 1983, became the first—and so far the only—Filipino film to be included in the “Competition Section” of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. Since then, Himala has been exhibited in a number of film festivals around the world. In 2008, Himala won the 2008 CNN Asia Pacific Screen Awards Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Amir Muhammad is a writer, publisher and occasional filmmaker. Two of his previous documentaries, Lelaki Komunis Terakhir and Apa Khabar Orang Kampung, are banned in Malaysia. His works have screened in numerous international film festivals including Berlin and Sundance. He set up Matahari Books in 2007 to publish local non-fiction and film-related books. By the end of this year it would have published 20 books.

http://www.annexegallery.com

Here’s a special treat to music lovers who missed the golden voice of Superstar Nora Aunor playing on the radio! The long wait is over since you can hear her once more via Superstar Yan!, the new radio program that plays exclusively Nora Aunor songs from her first mammoth hit single “Forever Loving You” to her “Greatest Performance Medley.” Nora Aunor’s performance of the said medley as the finale number in the 1991 PMPC Star Awards for movies started the series of standing ovations accorded to her that year and culminated in her “Handog ni Guy” concert in 1991, which holds the record to date as the most attended “paid” concert in Araneta Coliseum with no single vacant seat from front to back and from down and up. Nora Aunor, for the information of the youth, was a Tawag ng Tanghalan (the mother of all singing contests) grand champion. She is the lone Filipina singer with a single (“Pearly Shells) that sold more than one million copies, making her a Diamond Record Awardee. She has more gold record awards than Kuh Ledesma, Regine Velasquez, and Sharon Cuneta combined during the time when a gold record award has to sell at least 40,000 copies, equivalent to today’s Platinum. She hosted the country’s longest musical variety show on primetime TV, Superstar (RPN 9), which run for 22 years. A hard act to follow.

Since the Superstar TV program stopped in 1989, her fans have been missing the golden voice that captured the hearts of tens of millions of Filipinos for decades. Two siblings whose Noranian mother passed away last year thought of producing the Superstar Yan! radio program to fill up the void left by the passing of their mother who used to play Nora Aunor music in their home the whole day. Superstar Yan! airs at DWBL 1242 kHz AM (the AM station of Magic 89.9 and Mellow Touch) every Sunday from 7:30 to 8:30 pm hosted by Gary and Jheng Yan. It is now enjoying very good ratings among Sunday primetime radio programs through word of mouth alone and the power of text messaging and the Internet. Both the show's hosts have Facebook accounts and will soon launch the Superstar Yan! Facebook group. This early their captive audience have been asking for a two- to three-hour extension of the show. A revival of Noramania? Well, sort of.

Nasa Cubao kami noon. Kasama ko ang dalawang kabataang Noranians na sina Tess at Deo. Noon lamang kami nagkatagpo at nagkita nang personal pero ganoon yata talaga kapag dugong Noranian, ang pakiramdam ay parang napakatagal n’yo nang magkakilala. Papasyal daw kami sa tindahan ng mga antique at memorabilia. Masaya kaming nagkuwentuhan habang naglalakad. Nagkatanungan pa ng edad. Puwede ko na pala silang maging anak.

Iniisip ko, maraming taon na nga ang nakalipas. Matagal na ring hindi ako napapadako sa lugar na ’yon ng Cubao. Mahigit nang labinlimang taon siguro. Nakakapanibago. Nilagpasan namin ang dating Cinema 21. Ilang pelikula rin ni Ate Guy ang napanood ko roon.

Habang papalapit kami sa sadya namin ay nangingiti ako sa sarili pero hindi ako nagpahalata sa dalawang “bagets.” Kasi ba naman parang baligtad yata. Ang daming bago at naglalakihang malls sa Pinas, lahat ng makabagong paninda ay naroroon pero bakit heto kami, super excited na sadyain ang di hamak na mas maliit na tindahan para maghanap ng mga luma at pinaglumaan. Kakaiba ang interes namin.

Marikina Shoe Expo ang tawag sa lugar na ’yon noon. Kahawig pa rin ng dati ang ayos pero ngayon ang tawag dito ay Cubao Expo. Hindi lang sapatos ang tinitinda.

May dalawang antique shops kaming pinuntahan. Doon daw sila madalas magpunta ni Mandy noong nabubuhay pa ito, sabi ni Tess. Santambak ang mga lumang libro, komiks, at magasin sa labas pa lang ng unang tindahan. Nagbuklat-buklat kami. Masarap gunitain ang nakaraaan. Habang nagbabasa ay bumabalik ang mga lumang balita at kaganapan. Nagiging sariwa sa ulirat. Sina Tess at Deo naman ay tinutuklas ang nakaraan. May bonus pang alikabok sa bawat pagbuklat ng mga pahina.

Binigay sa akin ni Tess ang isang bungkos ng mga lumang litrato. Mga litrato pala ni Ate Guy at kung sino-sino pang nakasama niya sa pelikula. May mga kuha sa eksena ng pelikula at meron ding mga private moments.

Nabusog ang mata ko sa katitingin. May ilang litrato doon ang paulit-ulit kong tinitingnan. Sayang at hindi ko naman kayang bilhin lahat. Pumili lamang ako ng kaunti. Narito po ang ilan.

Sweet Guy and Pip

Halos langgamin sa ka-sweetan sina Guy & Pip sa mga litratong ito. Walang sinabi ang mga bagong loveteam ngayon kuno. Kahit ang sweet “pose” nina Marian at Dingdong ay mapapahiya dito. Mahal na mahal nga raw ni Ate Guy si Pip. First love yata, siyempre pa. Pero si Pip, minahal niya nga ba nang tunay si Ate Guy? Kung pagbabasehan ang mga litratong ito, sasabihin kong “Oo naman.” Naalala ko tuloy ang kuwento ni Ate Luds aka Inday Badiday sa True Story ni Guy book (by Baby K. Jimenez). Eto ang sinabi nya:

“Pero nakita ko . . . Baby ni Pip si Guy. Andyan ’yung pati buhok ni Guy, inaayos, bina-brush. Pati wardrobe ni Guy, chine-check ni Pip. Minsan naglalakad si Guy nang nakapaa at natinik ang big toe niya. You know what Pip did? Nang nakita niyang nagdurugo ang big toe ni Guy, he ran to her, kinarga at ginamot. He sucked the blood from her toe nang ayaw huminto ang dugo. He was so worried . . . I believe na minahal rin niya si Nora. Na-develop iyon,” paniwala ni Inday.

Habang nakatitig ako sa mga litrato, bumalik ako sa panahon na nakikipagsiksikan kami ng Lola ko sa Sampaguita compound para lang masilayan ang dalawang ito. Diehard Guy & Pip fan kasi ang Lola ko. Ako naman, sumama lang sa kanya dahil gusto kong pumasyal at makakita ng artista. At saka wala siyang kasama, kawawa naman. Masasabi kong sina Guy & Pip ang mga artista na una kong nakita sa personal (nakita ko nga ba o naaninag lang?). Sila rin ang mga artista sa kauna-unahang pelikula na napanood ko sa sinehan, ang Always in my Heart. Ang mga unang engkuwentro ko sa “Guy & Pip” noong bata ako ay ang nagpasimula ng pagkilala ko sa isang Nora Aunor. Hindi man si Pip ang pinakapaborito kong katambal ni Ate Guy, hindi ko maikakaila na kinikilig din ako kapag nakikita silang magkasama. Hindi ko rin maitatatwa na sila ang pinakasikat na loveteam sa history ng Philippine showbiz. Number 1 loveteam, sabi nga. Sayang hindi sila nagkatuluyan pero hanggang ngayon mahal pa rin nila ang isa’t isa, bilang tunay na magkaibigan.

Kung napanood n’yo ang pelikulang Condemned, I’m sure matatandaan n’yo ang scene sa litratong ito. It was a poignant scene, which I think captured the whole essence of the film. Maihahalintulad ang imahe sa statue masterpiece ni Michael Angelo na La Pieta. Magkaiba nga lang ang relasyon ng magkaeksena. Sa La Pieta ay mag-ina (Virgin Mary and Jesus), sa Condemned naman ay magkapatid (si Nora Aunor as Yoly at si Dan Alvaro as Efren). Paulit-ulit kong tinitingnan ang litratong ito sa antique shop. Sino kaya ang kumuha nito? A piece of fine art . . .

Ang pinagsanib na NV Productions ni Ate Guy at Dragon Films ni Peter Gan ang matapang na nag-produce ng “Condemned”. Masasabing ito ang magandang halimbawa ng hindi sunod sa uso na tema ng pelikula pero nagustuhan ng manonood kaya kumita ito nang husto. Mahusay kasi ang pagkakagawa. One of Mario O’Hara’s best. Bagay na magkapatid si Ate Guy at Dan dito. Pareho silang magaling. Superb acting from Ate Guy. Hindi nga lang siya nanalo ng award para dito dahil sa parehong taon din niya ginawa ang ‘Merika at Bulaklak sa City Jail.

Sa pelikulang ito, napansin ko na mahusay nga palang aktres si Ms. Gloria Romero. Naiiba ang role niyang kontrabida. Kinilabutan ako sa death scene niya.

At malilimutan ko ba ang ang huling eksena sa Manila Bay? Si Ate Guy, nagtatapon ng dolyares . . . BRILLIANT!

Lopez-Quizon Family Dental, in cooperation with Vicky Boy Productions, presents "Pasasalamat: Nora Aunor in Concert," June 21, 2009, 7:30 p.m., James Armstrong Theater, Torrance, California, USA.

With guests Bernardo Bernardo, Maricar Quizon, Iyah Quizon, and Crissy.

Ticket prices: $45, $55, and $65.

Nora Aunor's new CD, Habang Panahon, will be available for sale in the concert venue.

BeyondJeff Production, Share A Hand Foundation, Inc., JA Event Productions, Josefina Alipio of House of Homes Realty, GMA Pinoy TV, Wild 94.9 & 106 KMEL...

Present: Philippine Independence Day Celebration " A Benefit Festival"

June 13 & 14, 2009 (Saturday & Sunday) at the Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco, California on , 10AM - 6PM

Featuring:
Charlie Green
Heart Evangelista
Richard Gomez
Lucy Torres
Rey Kilay
Rin on the Rox
Korusleine
Coro de Sta. Ana
Drop N Harmony

with "A Very Special Guest"
The Philippines One & Only Superstar
Ms Nora Aunor

DONATION: $10.00
(Early Bird Prize Eligibility for the first 2500 attendees)
Prizes: 1 MacBook and 1 iPod touch - each day

Children - 12 years old & under: FREE

BENEFICIARY: Share A Hand Foundation, Inc.

Join the Search for:
Binibining Fiesta Filipina USA 2009
Ginoong Fiesta Filipina USA 2009
Fiesta Filipina USA Idol 2009
Fiesta Filipina Best Dance Crew 2009
Rubik's Cube Tournament 2009

- Be a Sponsor or an Exhibitor and showcase your products and services to thousands of potential customers.

 
Ms. Nora Aunor encourages fellow Filipinos to support the Historic Filipinotown Festival & 5K Run, a worthy cause. The Superstar will grace the event's activities.

The festival will be held on August 1, 2009, on Temple Street between Alvarado and Union, Historic Filipinotown, City of Los Angeles, California.

Day-long program will also feature Bernardo Bernardo, Malou Toler, Jazz Phil-USA and many more!

See You Tube video of the event’s press conference.

Sa tuwing pinapakinggan ko ang awiting “Pearly Shell”
na pinasikat ni Ms. Nora Aunor,
laging bumabalik sa aking alaala ang kahapon.

Taong 1974.
Grade 1 ako noon.
Excited ako sa paghahanda ng aking costume.
Bulaklaking salawal na kulay bughaw
at tinuhog-tuhog ng karayom sa sinulid na puti
ang puting bulaklak
na kung tawagin ay calachuchi
upang maging kuwintas ng hubad kong katawan.
Oo, sa unang pagkakataon,
sa mura kong edad,
iindayog ang aking katawan
sa saliw ng tugtuging “Pearly Shell.”

Hindi ko makakalimutan ang tagpong ito.
Tandang-tanda ko pa.
sa aming pagsasanay ng sayaw,
isang aksidente ang nangyari.

Nauntog ang aking ulo sa “door knob.”
Arraaayyyy!! !!!
Waaaaaahhhhhhhhh! !!!!!!
Ang lakas ng iyak ko as in.
Siyempre, napahiya ako eh.
At dumating ang ate ko para damayan
ako sa kahindik-hindik na mga kaganapan.

Mula Grade 1 hanggang Grade six,
folkdancer ako sa aming school.
At wala nang door knob na umeeksena.

.MOV International Digital Film Festival and Mag:net Café Katipunan present a film series “Bernal in Love,” this month. The films celebrate film director Ishmael Bernal’s 13th death anniversary, with one week dedicated to his work. Here will also be a concert in his honor. Also to be shown this month are Pinoy romance movies from Fernando Poe Sr. to Angel Locsin. The films will be screened at Mag:net Katipunan, 335 Agcor Bldg., Katipunan Ave., QC.

Screening start at 5:30 p.m. Schedule follows:

June 5, Friday: Kahit Isang Saglit (2000, directed by Gilbert Perez; starring Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual)

June 6, Saturday: Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw (2000, directed by Joyce Bernal; Regine Velasquez and Robin Padilla)

June 8, Monday: Sana Maulit Muli (1995, directed by Olivia Lamasan; Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga)

June 9, Tuesday: Minsan Lang Kirang Iibigin (1993, directed by Chito Rono; Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion and Zsa Zsa Padilla)

June 11, Thursday: May Minamahal (1992, directed by Jose Javier Reyes; Aga Muhlach, Aiko Melendez)

June 12, Friday: Ngayon at Kailanman (1992, directed by Joel Lamangan; Sharon Cuneta and Richard Gomez)

June 13, Saturday: Ikaw pa lang ang Minahal (1992, directed by Carlitos Sigiuon Reyna; Maricel Soriano and Richard Gomez)

June 22, Monday: Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992, directed by Maryo J. Delos Reyes; Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach and Gabby Concepcion)

June 23, Tuesday: Bilangin mo ang Bituin sa Langit (1989, directed by Elwood Perez; Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III)

June 24, Wednesday: Soltero (1984, directed by Pio De Castro; Jay Ilagan, Chanda Romero and Rio Locsin)

June 25, Thursday: Dear Heart (1981, directed by Danny Zialcita; Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion)

June 26, Friday: Kung Mangarap ka’t Magising (1977, directed by Mike De Leon; Christopher De Leon and Hilda Koronel)

June 27, Saturday: Ang Daigdig ko’y Ikaw (1965, directed by Efren Reyes; Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces)

June 29, Monday: Florante at Laura (1949, directed by Vicente Salumbides; Rogelio De La Rosa and Rosita Rivera)

June 30, Tuesday: Giliw Ko (1939, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, Fernando Poe Sr. and Mila Del Sol)

Ishmael Bernal Week

June 15, Monday: Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon (1977; Vilma Santos and Romeo Vasquez)

June 16, Tuesday: Ikaw ay Akin (1978; Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon)

June 17, Wednesday:

- 5:30 p.m. Salawahan (1979; Rio Locsin and Jay Ilagan)

- 9 p.m. Bernal Night Concert featuring Itchy Worms, Goliath, Disco Ball, Biscochong Halimaw, Sanity Kit

- 11:30 p.m. Bakit may Pag-ibig Pa: Unang Kasaysayan (1979; Nora Aunor, Christopher De Leon)

June 18, Thursday: Relasyon (1982; Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon)

June 19, Friday: Broken Marriage (1983; Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon)