But it turned out that Nora won at the Cape Tip Estates Festival, a sharing of opinions and favorites by a community of film enthusiasts.
In an interview with GMA’s S-Files, Nora said she didn’t know that Naglalayag, directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, competed at the international filmfest. But she was very happy to receive the good news, which came in the wake of a personal tragedy. Nora lost a grandson (Juan Miguel Estrada, son of Matet de Leon), who died five days after being born at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.
Nora is currently based in San Bruno, California, where she is facing charges for illegal possession of drugs.
If indeed she won the Best Actress award for Naglalayag (some people doubt the veracity of the report), then it is her fourth Best Actress international award. Early this year, she was named Best Actress by the Brussels Independent Video-Film Festival run by Robert Malengreau. Nora tied with Sharon Cuneta, who won for Mark Meily’s Crying Ladies.
Years back, Nora won Best Actress trophies in Cairo (Golden Pyramid) for Flor Contemplacion and in Malaysia (Penang Pearl) for Bakit May Kahapon Pa, both directed by Joel Lamangan.
Nora played an aging judge in love with a young taxi driver (Yul Servo) in Naglalayag exhibited at last year’s Manila Film Festival, where they won top acting honors.
By the way, the Philippines is some kind of "suki" of the Brussels (Belgium) filmfest run by Robert Malengreau, a frequent Manila visitor. Aside from Nora and Sharon, Filipino actors who won awards in Brussels are Albert Martinez (for Tikoy Aguiluz’s Dapitan), Vilma Santos (Chito Roño’s Bata, Bata… Paano Ka Ginawa), Joel Torre and Yul Servo (Lav Diaz’s Batang West Side), and Dolphy and sons Eric and Jeffrey Quizon (Gil Portes’ Markova: Comfort Gay).
Dolphy, Eric, and Jeffrey tied for Best Actor-and Best Actress (you read it right). Malengreau, who flew to Manila a few years back to personally present the trophies to father and sons, explained that the Brussels jury opted not to give a Best Actress award that year and instead declare a triple tie for both Best Actor and Actress. After all, he said, the Markova role has its feminine aspect. A first in cinema history, Malengreau said.
Through the decades, from the ’70s up to the new millennium, Nora Aunor has topbilled some of the country’s most memorable movies, including those directed by four National Artists.
They are Gerry de Leon’s Banaue (which Nora herself produced) and an episode of the trilogy Fe, Esperanza, Caridad; Bert Avellana’s episode in the same trilogy; Ishmael Bernal’s Himala and Ikaw Ay Akin; and Lino Brocka’s Bona, Nakaw na Pag-ibig, and Ina Ka ng Anak Mo.
Himala competed in Berlin, where Nora reportedly nearly won the Best Actress award. Bona (produced by Nora) was exhibited in Cannes and was picked up for TV distribution in Europe.
Aside from those already mentioned, Nora’s other memorable (and mostly award-winning) films include:
Mario O’Hara’s Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Condemned, Bakit Bughaw ang Langit, and Bulaklak ng City Jail.
Gil Portes’ Andrea and Merika.
Elwood Perez’s Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit and Pacita M.
Lupita Kashiwahara’s Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo. George Rowe’s Paru-Parong Itim (adaptation of The Miracle Worker).
Danny Zialcita’s T-Bird at Ako.
Totoy Buenaventura’s Erap Is My Guy and Bakya Mo Neneng.
Danny Holmsen’s Carmela and And God Smiled at Me" (the latter giving Nora her very first Best Actress award from the Quezon City Film Festival).
German Moreno’s Guy & Pip (which broke box-office records).
Pablo Santiago’s Bahay-Bahayan, Kasal-Kasalan.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)