Veteran director Joel Lamangan paid tribute to late screen legend Nora Aunor on Friday and revealed plans to pursue a film about her life, even after her passing.
In a Facebook post, Lamangan shared fond memories of Aunor, recalling their work together in acclaimed films such as The Flor Contemplacion Story, Muling Umawit ang Puso, Bakit May Kahapon Pa?, Sidhi, Hustisya, and Isa Pang Bahaghari.
He described their creative process, saying, “Ang una naming ginagawa bago pumalaot sa pagbuo ng film ay ang mag-usap ng masinsinan kung ano ang gusto naming sabihin sa pelikula at kung paano namin sasabihin ito! Malimit malalim ang paguusap, may pagtatalo, may kaunting taasan ng boses at sa huli sasabihin niyang ikaw na ang bahala direk, naniniwala naman ako sa iyo. Ganoon ang respeto ni ate Guy.”
Lamangan also highlighted Aunor’s compassion, especially toward crew members. “Mabait si ate Guy sa lahat ng ka-trabaho niya. Ayaw niya ng may naaapi, o naaagrabyado lalo na sa mga crew na maliit lang ang bayad. Sa last day ng filming tiyak meron siyang ibibigay na tulong na pera sa lahat,” he shared.
He added that he and writer Ricky Lee had long discussed a Nora Aunor biopic. “Meron kaming pinagusapan sanang importanteng pelikula na isusulat ng kaibigan naming si Ricky Lee—ang Nora Aunor Story, nakausap namin ang prodyuser naghihintay lamang ng tamang panahon. Sayang wala na si ate Guy pero itutuloy namin ;yon!”
Aunor, born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, died on April 16 at the age of 71. She rose to fame in the 1960s as a singer with her iconic “golden voice” before becoming a revered figure in Philippine film and television.