Generations of Filipinos have lined up for movies and shows of the Superstar, Nora Aunor. Legions of fans have bought her albums. A devoted few followed her every move. From among these avid, passionate fans, none was as obsessed as Armando ‘Mandy’ Diaz Jr.
Superfan is based on an essay written by Diaz for the book Si Nora Aunor sa mga Noranian: Mga Paggunita at Pagtatapat, edited by Nestor De Guzman (Quezon City: Milflores Publishing Inc., 2005). In the essay titled Himala, Diaz narrated his miraculous devotion to Nora. He started adoring her when he was only 6 years old. The decades-long obsession with the Superstar resulted in a humongous collection of Aunor records and memorabilia. 47 volumes of clippings chronicle the odyssey of Nora from Albay to San Francisco Bay. 10 photo albums capture the highs and lows of the petite actress.
Superfan is inspired by Mandy’s story and is reconstructed largely from his own confessional essay, “Himala,” where he humorously details his obsession with Nora. The essay is included in the anthology Si Nora Aunor sa mga Noranian: Mga Paggunita at Pagtatapat, edited by Nestor de Guzman (Milflores Publishing, 2005).
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.
****** Noranians are people smitten by a talent extraordinaire: Ms. Nora Aunor, a singer with golden voice, world-class film artist, cultural icon, living legend—the ultimate multimedia Superstar of the Philippine entertainment industry.
Noranians are SUPERSTARstruck.
This is their page to celebrate their identity as Noranians.
****** Noranians may share here their impression of Nora Aunor; any trivia on her music, performances, or other works; their own stories as Noranians. E-mail contributions to superstarstruck@gmail.com.
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