Phenomenal!

In life and in death, Nora Aunor was phenomenal. Standing 4'11 1/2", Nora Aunor was a giant in the showbiz firmament.

- BUM D. TENORIO, JR.

In life and in death, Nora Aunor was phenomenal. Standing 4'11 1/2", Nora Aunor was a giant in the showbiz firmament. She made more than 170 films, recorded 40 English and 13 Tagalog albums and 238 singles, hosted the variety show Superstar for 22 years and packed venues for a string of concerts here and abroad. She even mesmerized SRO crowds when she did three stage plays—Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo, DH and Trojan Women.

In every opportunity to showcase her craft, she did not disappoint God for she used the talents He gave her. She was excellent.

Her fame was her gift to the Filipino people because Nora Aunor, a recipient of the National Artist award, in herself was culture personified. Philippine pop culture would be lackluster without the mention of her name.

Legendary & Kayumanggi She was dusky. It did not bother her. The color of her skin shone bright—so bright she became the country's one and only Superstar. Even in her death at 71—with international publications even carrying a headline about her passing on April 16—the title is reserved for her. She brought it to the afterlife.

Her skin tone defined many a generation that finally broke free from the convention of idolizing only alabaster-skinned stars. The Philippine entertainment scene, aping in large part Hollywood culture, was high on Patrician stars. Those days, to have fair skin was currency and was a seal of superiority.

Until Nora Aunor came into the picture. Her complexion broke the convention and the stereotype. The spotlight was on her kayumangging kutis. The masa rejoiced and exalted her. Here was a poor girl from Iriga, with the color of the masses, and she was inevitably made their goddess. A superstar was born.

It's easy to reward Nora Aunor with hosannas. Her sterling body of work as a singer, an actor and a thespian will prove that she was the quintessential validation of world-class talent.