Nora Aunor finally laid to rest

National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor was laid to rest after a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on April 22, as family, friends, and supporters gathered to bid their final farewells.

- BY CARISSA ALCANTARA

Nora, 71, died of acute respiratory failure on April 16, according to her son Kristoffer Ian De Leon.

In addition to Ian, Nora's adopted children, Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth De Leon, were among those in attendance. Actress Janine Gutierrez, her brother Diego, Imelda Papin, and daughter Maffi Careon also mourned alongside the family.

Nora's coffin received its final blessing before her children officially closed the casket. A crowd of fans and supporters joined Nora's family as her casket was lowered into the grave shortly after 12:30 p.m., following a gun salute.

Ian received the Philippine flag as a keepsake for the next-of-kin after it was used during the funeral service.

Prior to the state funeral, celebrities remembered Nora's life during a necrological service at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

Honor guards carried Nora's flag-draped casket, followed by her children Ian, Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth. A brief arrival ceremony was held at 8:30 a.m. Fans and onlookers gathered along the side of the theater to pay their final respects to her.