Nora Aunor

MANILA, Philippines -- Scheduled to arrive Tuesday after eight years of absence from the local entertainment scene is superstar Nora Aunor.

Her fans, supporters, friends and family are of course very excited to see her once more in person. The controversial actress-singer disappointed many when she was reported to arrive last week but did not. This time, it was she herself who announced on German Moreno’s radio program on DZBB that she is finally coming home.

While here, Nora is slated to do shows for TV5 and a movie with Gov. ER Ejercito. She has been offered to play the role of Maria Agoncillo, the second wife of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Republic of the Philippines, in the movie “El Presidente” which ER intends to enter in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Another ER entry, “Asyong Salonga” has been rejected by the selection committee of the film festival.

Nora has expressed interest in the Aguinaldo movie project but she would like to read the script of “El Presidente” first. We heard, however, that it has not been finished yet.

It’s interesting to note that even after four decades, Nora continues to amaze and intrigue people with whatever she’s doing with her life and career. She has had her ample share of sorrow, misfortune and missteps, but she is always able to rise above them in no time. She is a survivor of the first order.

Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, she always loved to sing, and she was barely 13 when she had her first taste of success, winning the “Darigold Jamboree’s Bulilit Singing Contest” in Naga where she sang “You And The Night And The Music.” She joined the contest out of necessity – her older sister needed P20 for her tuition fee, and that was the cash prize Nora won in the Bulilit Singing Contest. After that, she joined “Darigold Jamboree’s” rival radio program “The Liberty Show” and won again.

These successive wins in Naga emboldened Nora to audition in Manila, for “Darigold Jamboree” on Channel 11. It was here that she affixed Aunor to her name, after her aunt Belen Aunor who became her guardian. She became the undefeated champion for 14 weeks. Then she joined “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” where she won on her first try but on the second, was defeated by the reigning champ Jose Yap. She laid low for a while, honing her voice and style, and when she was ready again to compete, she did it with a vengeance, becoming the undefeated champion for 14 weeks! That was just the start of Nora’s unprecedented wins in her singing career.

Nora also won countless citations, recognitions and awards for her acting.

She won as Best Actress for “Atsay” and “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” (URIAN and FAMAS). But it was Gil Portes’ “Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Ina?” who gave Nora her second Best Actress grandslam – from the FAMAS, URIAN, FAP and Metro Manila Film Festival.

The movie she did with Cocoy Laurel, “Lollipops and Roses,” also starred Hollywood actor Don Johnson. It was after this that she earned the monicker “superstar.”

Robin endorses Shockproof Cherry Mobile

Cherry Mobile introduced recently its latest brand ambassador: Robin Padilla (who along with Bea Alonzo, is the star of the ABS-CBN toprating show “Guns and Roses”). At the press conference for his launch, Robin surprised everyone when he threw to the floor his cell phone that didn’t break of course it was one of Cherry Mobile’s shockproof line equipped with an easy-grip and protective rubber casing that can withstand shocks against drop impacts from as high as 1.5 meters and sudden bumps, jolt and blow.

Robin said he was proud to be Cherry Mobile’s endorser, saying the company that makes it (Cosmic Technologies, Inc.), has truly revolutionized the cell phone industry in the Philippines.

“Dati ang mahal-mahal ng mga cell phones, but with Cherry Mobile, mura na matibay pa, de kalidad talaga at maraming features – like may dual SIM siya, may music at TV phone, etc. Sa panahong ito, dapat lahat ng tao may cell phone, lalo na sa oras ng emergency o sakuna, malaking tulong ito. At dahil pinaghirapan ang perang pinambili nito, dapat matibay gaya ng Cherry Mobile na hindi mabigat sa bulsa ang presyo pero maraming magandang features.”

As to why it was Robin they got as endorser, Maynard Ngu, CEO of Cosmic Technologies, Inc. said, “It was an easy decision to choose Robin as our new brand advocate. Just like Cherry Mobile, Robin has a natural charisma that easily draws the public. He represents the average Cherry Mobile user who lives an active yet practical lifestyle. Robin is the ideal guy to bring us to the next level.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Tuesday, Aug. 2, go to actor-director Dingdong Dantes, model-turned-civic leader Baby Bueno Coady, Sanilyn Clavejo, Violeta Villanueva, Nenuca Blardony, Shonee Greene of Scotland, Jennifer A. Ejercito, Benjamin Ryan Laxa Pangilinan, and Candida Velasquez… Happy wedding anniversary to Rep. Gloria Arroyo and Mike Arroyo…