Nora Aunor (born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor on May 21, 1953) is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, singer and producer. Aunor has also topbilled several stage plays, television shows, and concerts. She is regarded as the "Superstar in Philippine Entertainment Industry" [1]. A number of film critics and movie industry players consider her as Philippine Cinema's greatest thespian and major icon. She is the only movie actress to receive the Centennial Honor for the Arts awarded by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1999.

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Cinema

She is the first Filipino actress to win an International acting award in a MAJOR Film Festival (Cairo 1995 for the movie "The Flor Contemplacion Story") and the most number of best actress wins and nominations in a Major International awards (Cairo 1995, East Asia 1997, Brussels 2004), and nominations (Berlin 1983, Singapore 1997, Cairo 1999, Singapore 1999). She is the first and only Filipino actor to receive Certificate of Honors (Cannes 1981 and Berlin 1983)

Since the late 1960s, Nora Aunor has starred in more than 170 films ^[2]. She also received three international best actress trophies, numerous Philippine-based acting awards, and several industry citations.

Aunor's team-up with singer-actor Tirso Cruz III in the 1970s to the 1990s, called "Guy and Pip," undoubtedly the most popular love team in Philippine cinema, have produced several box office hit films including And God Smiled at Me , Guy and Pip and Till We Meet Again .

Nora starred in The Flor Contemplacion Story where she portrayed a domestic helper who was sentenced to death. (Best Actress Cairo 1995, Major International Film Award).

In 2004, Yul Servo co-starred in the film Naglalayag (Silent Passage) (Best Actress Award, Brussels 2004).

Critics praised her performances in many films - Himala; Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamu; Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos; Bona; Bulaklak sa City Jail; Condemned; 'Merika; Andrea, Paano Ba Maging Isang Ina; Ina Ka ng Anak Mo; Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit. Other more memorable performances are: Joel Lamangan's Sidhi; Bakit May Kahapon Pa, and The Flor Contemplacion Story.

She is the only actress to be directed by four Philippine National Artist Awardees, Gerardo de Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal.

Music

Dubbed as the Lady with the Golden Voice ^[3], she is the artist with the most singles in Philippine recording history (with more than 260 singles). Over-all she has recorded more than 500 songs. She has notched more than 30 gold singles, a record in the local music industry and has recorded some 46 hit long-playing albums, and several extended plays. With estimated sales of one million units, Nora's cover of "Pearly Shells" (1971) is one of the biggest-selling singles in the Philippines ever. At the height of her popularity as a recording artist in the late 1960s and early 1970s, local records soared up to 75% of national sales.

She has received many gold and platinum record awards, and a handful of music industry recognitions. She holds the record for both the most gold singles and most recorded singles in Philippine music history. ^[4] In 1991, Aunor held her first major concert entitled Handog at the Araneta Colisseum (with around 17,000 capacity) equaled the audience attendance of The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. On her 50th birthday, Nora had a major concert "Gold ". From 2004 to the present, Nora has been doing a series of concerts in major American cities.

Television

Aunor hosted Superstar the longest-running musical variety show in Philippine television which ran for 22 years. Nora also headlined a weekly drama show entitled Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora during the 1970s. In 1992, she was the first actress to star in the Star Drama Theater Presents , a drama anthology program that featured the leading dramatic actresses that time. In 2002, Aunor starred on her first soap opera, Bituin , which was aired on ABS-CBN.

Stage

Aunor appeared in three stage plays: Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo ; Trojan Women ; and DH (Domestic Helper) .

Biography

Early life

Aunor used to sell cold water by the railroad tracks of Iriga City before becoming the grand champion of Tawag ng Tanghalan, then the most popular national amateur singing contest in the Philippines in 1967.

Family

A mother of five, Aunor's marriage to Philippine actor, Christopher de Leon, was annulled in the late 1990s.

Politics

She once ran for governor of Camarines Sur during the 2001 elections but she lost.

Life in United States

In recent years, although retaining Philippine citizenship, Aunor spent most her time either at her home in California or Nevada, United States

In 2004, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom declared Aunor's birthday as Nora Aunor Day in the City and County of San Francisco to honor Aunor for her numerous achievements as an artist and entertainer in the Philippines.

After a show in Las Vegas on August 31, 2006, Aunor received a certificate of recognition from Nevada State Governor Kenny C. Guinn for her phenomenal talent and for being an extraordinary performer. ^[5]

On September 23, 2006, Mayor Timothy Hancock of Killeen, Texas, proclaimed the date as Nora Aunor Day in the City of Killeen after she held a concert there. ^[6]

In 2008, Nora Aunor became a permanent resident of the United States.

Television shows & awards

Year	Title	Genre
2002	Bituin / ABS-CBN	Soap Opera
2002	Nora Mismo / NBN 4	Public Service Program
1995	Superstar: Beyond Time / PTV 4	Musical Show
1995	Nora / ABC 5	Drama Anthology
1994	Modern Romances / GMA 7
1993	Spotlight on Nora / GMA 7	Drama Anthology
1992	Star Drama Presents — NORA / ABS-CBN	Drama Anthology
1990	Superstar — The Legend / IBC 13	Musical
1984	La Aunor / RPN 9
1978	Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora / RPN 9	Drama
1975	Superstar / RPN 9	The Longest running musical-variety show
1974	The Nora Aunor Show / GTV 4	Variety show
1969	Nora-Eddie Show / Channel 9	Musical-Variety Show
1968	Oras ng Ligaya / Channel 3

• 1975 Outstanding TV Actress PATAS Sinag Awards
• 1976 Most Effective Television Actress PATAS Awards
• 1976 Most Outstanding Variety Show PATAS Awards Superstar
• 1977 Outstanding Performer PATAS Awards
• 1978 Outstanding Drama Series PATAS Awards Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora
• 1978 Outstanding Producer of Best Drama Series PATAS Awards Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora
• 1987 Best Female TV Host, Musical Variety Show PMPC Star Awards for TV Superstar
• 1993 Best Drama Actress PMPC Star Awards for TV Star Drama Theater Presents: Nora
• 1994 Best Actress in a Single Performance PMPC Star Awards for TV Spotlight: Good Morning, Maam
• 2001 Ading Fernando Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award PMPC Star Awards for TV
• 2005 Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award

Radio programs

• Fiesta Extravaganza (DZXL)
• Operetang Putol-putol (DZXL)

Stage plays

'''Year	Title'''	Producer'''
1991,	Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo	PETA (Philippine Education Theater Association)
1993,	DH (Domestic Helper)	PETA (Philippine Education Theater Association)
1994,	Trojan Women

Notable citations and awards

As an actress

• The first Filipino actress with the most number of best actress International awards & nominations (Cairo 1995, East Asia 1997, Brussels 2004), and nominations (Berlin 1983, Singapore 1997, Cairo 1999, Singapore 1999).
• The first Filipino actress to win an International acting award in a Major Film Festival (Cairo 1995 for the movie "The Flor Contemplacion Story").
• The first and only Filipino actress to receive an acting nomination from a Top-Tier International Film Festival (Berlin 1983 for the movie "Himala").
• The first Filipino actress to sit as juror in an International Film Festival (Hawaii 1996).
• The only Filipino and Asian actress apart from China's Gong Li to be featured by HBO, an American cable network, in a documentary film about the lives and achievements of the world's greatest actresses (1997).
• Himala was the first and only Filipino film ever to qualify in the Competition Section of the Berlin International Film Festival (1983). For its international accolades, it bagged 1983's Bronze Hugo Prize at the Chicago International Film Festival
• Himala was the lone filipino film chosen by CNN as one of the ten best Asian films of all time from the provisional list of 18 great films (September 2008). CNN cited "Himala" for its "austere camera work, haunting score, and accomplished performances that sensitively portray the harsh social and cultural conditions that people in the Third World endure."
• Himala was awarded the CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time (November14, 2008)
• The Flor Contemplacion Story became the first Filipino movie to win the grand prize in a Major International Film Festival (Cairo '95).
• The Flor Contemplacion Story grossed US$ 3.3 million in its domestic and international exhibitions, making it one of the highest-grossing films in Philippine history.
• Bona was cited as one of "The Best 100 Films in the World" by the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, USA (1997).
• The Filipino actress with the most "Best Performer" awards (5).
• The first Filipino actress ever to win the "Best Performer" award (1978).
• The only actress included in the prestigious "Centennial Honor for the Arts" given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (1999).
• The first actress to be honored with the "Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service" (TOWNS) award (1983).
• The youngest recipient of the "Lifetime Achievement Award" given by the Film Academy of the Philippines (1993).
• The only Filipino actress to win three successive best actress awards in the Film Academy of the Philippines (1989,1990,1991).
• Chosen by the Gawad Urian as "Actress of the Decade" (1980s and 1990s).
• The only Filipino actress to bag seven Metro Manila Film Festival best actress awards.
• The first actress to be crowned as "Box Office Queen of Philippine Cinema" (1971).
• The only actress to be directed by four Philippine National Artist Awardees, Gerardo de Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal.
• Named by S Magazine as the "Philippines' Best Actress of All Time" in 2006.
• The first and only Filipino actress to be awarded the Global Achievement in Cinematic Excellence and International Recognition award by Star Awards in 2009
• The first and only actress to receive the Pasadong Aktres sa lahat ng Panahon by PASADO Awards in 2009

International awards

Note: Aunor became best actress unless otherwise noted.

Year	Name of the Movie	Group	Award
2004	Naglalayag	Brussels Festival of Independent Films (Belgium)	Best Actress
1997	Bakit May Kahapon Pa	East Asia Film and Television Award (Malaysia)	Best Actress
1995	The Flor Contemplacion Story	Cairo International Film Festival (Egypt)	Best Actress

Philippine awards

FAMAS

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
1976	Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos	Best Actress
1979	Ina Ka ng Anak Mo	Best Actress
1984	Bulaklak sa City Jail	Best Actress
1989	Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit	Best Actress
1990	Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina	Best Actress
1991	Special Citation	Best Actress Hall of Fame
1995	Special Citation	Circle of Excellence

• Nora Aunor, is the most nominated Actress in the leading role with 17 nominations before she was elevated to the Hall of Fame. She was nominated every year from 1972 - 1985.

Gawad Urian

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
1976	Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos	Best Actress
1980	Bona	Best Actress
1989	Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit	Best Actress
1990	Andrea, Paano Maging ISang Ina	Best Actress
1991	Special Citation	Best Actress of the Decade (1980s)
1995	The Flor Contemplacion Story	Best Actress
1996	Bakit May Kahapon Pa?	Best Actress
2001	Special Citation	Best Actress of the Decade (1990s)

• Gawad Urian's first Best Actress, Nora Aunor, is the most nominated lead actress with 16 nominations.

Film Academy of the Philippines

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
1989	Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit	Best Actress
1990	Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina	Best Actress
1991	Ang Totoong buhay ni Pacita M.	Best Actress
1993	Special Citation	Lifetime Achievement Award
1995	The Flor Contemplacion Story	Best Actress

• Nora Aunor is the youngest recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award

Star Awards

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
1984	'Merika	Best Actress
1990	Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina	Best Actress
1991	Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.	Best Actress
1994	Special Citation	Star of the Decade (1980s)
1995	The Flor Contemplacion Story	Best Actress
1997	Special Citation	The Vic Silayan Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting
1999	Bakit May Kahapon Pa?	Special Recognition for Golden Pearl Award
2004	Special Citation	Best Actress of the Decade (1990s)
2009	Special Citation	Himala

• Nora Aunor received the first Best Actress Star Award from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).

Metro Manila Film Festival

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
1978	Atsay	Best Performer*
1979	Ina Ka ng Anak Mo	Best Actress
1982	Himala	Best Actress
1984	Bulaklak sa City Jail	Best Actress
1990	Andrea, Paano Maging Isang Ina	Best Actress
1991	Ang Totoong buhay ni Pacita M.	Best Actress
1992	Special Citation	Gawad ng Natatanging Pagkilala
1992	Muling Umawit ang Puso	Best Actress
1996	The Flor Contemplacion Story	Plaque of Recognition for Winning in the Cairo International Film Festival

• Nora Aunor is the first and only Best Performer awardee for Metro Manila Film Festival
• Is equivalent to Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress Award.
• The most awarded recipient of the Best Actress Award is Nora Aunor with 7 wins.

Manila Film Festival

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
2004	Naglalayag	Best Actress

Catholic Mass Media Awards

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
1981	Bakit Bughaw ang Langit	Best Actress*
1984	Bulaklak sa City Jail	Best Actress

Young Critics Circle

Year	Title of the Movie	Award
1990	Andrea, Paano Ba Maging Isang Ina	Best Performer
1991	Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.	Best Performer
1993	Inay	Best Performer
1995	The Flor Contemplacion Story	Best Performer

• Nora Aunor received the first Best Performer award for Young Critic Circle
• Best Performer — Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role

Quezon City Film Festival

• 1972 - And God Smiled at Me

Bacolod Film Festival

• 1975 - Banaue (Grand Buglas Award)

Davao City Film Festival

• 1976 - Ibilanggo Si Neneng Magtanggol

Movie Magazine Awards

• 1995- Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M.

Ateneo Galian

• 1991 - Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M.

KRITIKA

• 1991 - Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M.

Joel David Awards for Excellence in Philippine Cinema

• 1991 - Himala

People's Choice and PPC Publications

• 1995 - The Flor Contemplacion Story
• 1997 - Babae

Cinemanila International Film Festival

• 2000 - Lifetime Achievement Award

1st Cape Tip Festival

• 2004 - Naglalayag

Pasado

• 2004 - Naglalayag

Gawad Tanglaw

• 2004 - Naglalayag

S Magazine People's Choice Award Actress of the Year

• 2004 - Naglalayag

BALATCA

• 2004 - Naglalayag

BALATCA

• 2004 - Dakilang Kayumangging Lahi National Artist

Feminist Centennial Film Festival

• 2006 - Outstanding Achievement in Film Acting

As a recording artist

• At the height of her popularity as a recording artist in the late 1960s and early 1970s, local records soared up to 75% of national sales according to Alpha Records Philippines.
• She is the artist with the most singles in Philippine recording history (with more than 260 singles). Over-all she has recorded more than 500 songs.
• She has notched more than 30 gold singles, a record in the local music industry.
• With estimated sales of one million units, Nora's cover of "Pearly Shells" (1971) is one of the biggest-selling singles in the Philippines ever.
• Nora has also recorded some 46 hit long-playing albums, and several extended plays.
• 1964 Certificate of Honor, First Prize Liberty Big Show, Camarines Sur
• 1965 Winner (14 weeks) Darigold Bulilit Contest
• 1966 Certificate of Honor, First Prize Darigold Jamboree, Naga City
• 1967 Pinakamahusay na Tuklas na Talino, Grand National Finals Champion Tawag ng Tanghalan
• 1969 Favorite Singer of Northern Luzon Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, Dagupan City
• 1969 Best New Recording Artist of the Year PREDA
• 1970 Best New Female Recording Artist of '69 Awit Awards
• 1970 Singer for the Months of February, March, and April DWOW Radio
• 1970 Best Female Singer in English Philippine Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
• 1971 Female Singer of the Year PREDA
• 1973 Binibining Pilipinas ng Pelikula at Awiting Pilipino First Lady Imelda Marcos
• 1973 Top Selling Records, Female Singer of the Year, English Version PREDA
• 1973 Top Selling Records, Female Singer of the Year, Tagalog Version PREDA
• 1974 Queen of Northern Luzon for 100 Hit Records
• 1984 Gallery of Distinction Aliw Awards
• 1991 Gold Record Award Aguilar Music Corporation Langit Pala ang Umibig the Album
• 1991 Gold Record Award Universal Records Handog ni Guy LIVE, the Album
• 1995 Best Country Folk Singer 1st Katha Awards Maliit Man sa Tingin
• 1995 Best Interpreter of Movie Theme Song 9th Awit Awards Kahit Konting Awa
• 1995 Gold Record Award Viva Records Kahit Konting Awa the Album
• 1997 National Music Festival Award Sandiwa Philippines
• 1998 Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Award Awit Awards Lifetime Achievement
• 1999 Gawad Siglo as One of the 50 Best Live Entertainers of the Century Aliw Awards

Awards and Citations from Government Agencies and Other Institutions

• 1971 Certificate of Appreciation Mabini Memorial University, Iriga, Camarines Sur
• 1971 Plaque of Appreciation Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Inc., Tanauan, Batangas
• 1972 Plaque of Appreciation (for helping in the fundraising campaign for the restoration of the Bamboo Or Municipality of Las Pinas
• 1975 Trophy of Appreciation (for the fundraising campaign, MAMERA KAY NORA) National Mental Hospital
• 1983 Awardee in the Field of Arts TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service)
• 1983 Bicol Heritage Award - Outstanding Daughter of Iriga Government of Iriga City
• 1988 Young Achiever Award - Golden Scroll Awardee National Youth and Young Professionals Council
• 1990 Hall of Fame, Young Achiever Award, Parangal ng Bayan Office of the President
• 1992 Plaque of Recognition - Acts and Deeds with Virtues of a True Apostolate of the Twin Hearts of Jesus Twin Hearts Center for Peace
• 1993 Jacksonville Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Development of Filipino Culture Filipino-American Community of Florida, USA
• 1995 Grand Achievement Awardee, Parangal ng Bayan '95 Young Achievers Award, Office of the President
• 1995 Plaque of Recognition Communication Arts Department, Philippine Women's University
• 1995 Araw ng Maynila Award (Pagkilala sa Larangan ng Sining ng Pagganap) City of Manila
• 1996 Par Excellence Award Philippine Association of Teachers of Culture and Arts
• 1996 Parangal ng Bayan Office of the President
• 1996 Plaque of Recognition Eastern Telecommunications (Eastern Cable) Philippines
• 1996 Global Recognition Award for Exemplary Contributions to the Upliftment of the Philippine Performing Citynet, Channel 27
• 1996 Gawad Quezon Awards as one of the 12 Outstanding Filipino Personalities in Literary (Field of Cinema)
• 1997 People's Award, Filipino Community Wasada University, Tokyo, Japan
• 1997 Haligi ng Industriya Award Film Development Foundation of the Philippines
• 1997 Certificate of Appreciation - as Guest Artist for Pasko '97 Department of Foreign Affairs
• 1997 Plaque of Appreciation - For Her Invaluable Contribution to the Philippine Entertainment Industry Araneta Center
• 1999 Gawad Sentenaryo: Sektor ng Kababaihan, Sining, at Kalinangan National Centennial Commission
• 1999 Centennial Honor for the Arts: One of the 100 Outstanding Filipino Artists of the Century in the field (Actress of the Century) Cultural Center of the Philippines
• 1999 Lingkod ng Bayan Award - Outstanding Film and Stage Actress and Artist City of Iriga, Guest Speaker for the 31st Charter Foundation Anniversary
• 2002 Trophy of Citation for her Accomplishment in the Performing Arts and Contribution to Philippine Soci Holy Angel University
• 2004 Nora Aunor Day - May 21, 2004 Office of Mayor Gavin Newson, San Francisco City, California USA
• 2006 Nora Aunor Day - September 23, 2006 Office of the Mayor, Killeen City, Texas, USA
• 2006 Certificate of Recognition (Phenomenal Talent and Extraordinary Performance) - March 31, 2006 Office of the Governor, Las Vegas, USA

References

1. http://www.pep.ph/articles/16624/Superstar-Nora-Aunor's-Urban-Legends,-Part-3:-The-Superstar-Phenome
2. Nora Aunor
3. http://www.hometown.aol.com/pinoymovies1/iconastelenovela.html
4. http://www.pari.com.ph/members/alpha.html
5. [1]
6. [1]