Nora Aunor returns to the big screen with ‘Pieta’

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

THE country's one and only Superstar Nora Aunor is set to return to the big screen for the first time since being named National Artist for Film and Broadcast in 2022.

The 69-year-old will star alongside Alfred Vargas and multiawarded actress Gina Alajar for the drama-suspense film "Pieta" to be directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.

In the story conference also attended by the media, Aunor shared she agreed to work on the project because of the challenge of playing a blind mother with dementia -- a first in her 55-year career in showbiz.

"Magandang challenge for me 'yung role ko as Alfred's blind mother kasi first time kong gaganap na bulag ako," Aunor said.

Apart from that, Aunor saw the sincerity of Vargas – also the film's producer – who personally came to see her at her home to make a pitch.

which won the Best Asian Film at the Hanoi Film Festival in November. It is set to be released in the country this year.

"Matagal na din na wala akong proyekto dahil sa mga nangyari sa akin. Sabi ko nga kay Direk, Direk kaya ko pa ba? Sabi niya 'kayang kaya mo yan.' Kapag kasi siya ang direktor ko, kampanteng kampante ako kasi alam niya yung kapasidad ko bilang artista. Kapag nasa set na, nagkakaroon na ng eksena.

ere. She's still a simple person –dadating siya sa set, she would greet everyone and walang diva effect na 'I'm Nora Aunor.' Kung meron man siyang gustong sabihin or hindi gustong nangyayari sa paligi, she will talk to you. Hindi siya yung tao na highly dramatic. She's a very humble person," Alajar said of Aunor.

Lacy’s interest in music began at an early age and in 2011, he formed an alternative R&B band called The Internet along with friends Syd Bennet and Matt Martians — who were members of Odd Future — and Patrick Paige II and Christopher Smith; Lacy served as the lead guitarist of the band.

In 2013, The Internet’s third album, “Ego Death,” would earn Lacy’s first Grammy nomination at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Lacy was also nominated for Grammys for Best Urban Contemporary Album in both 2016 and 2020.

"Sabi ko, gusto niya ba talaga akong makasama? Kasi naging congressman siya, ngayon councilor, so parang nahihiya ako na baka mamaya, hindi ko naman magawa 'yung ine-expect niyang maipakita ko sa pelikula. Baka hindi ko magampanan nang maayos."

"Pero nawala ang alinlangan ko nang magpunta siya in person sa bahay ko, kasi napakabait pala niya. Very humble at napakadaling kausap. Nakita ko, intelihente siya at maunawain din. Natutuwa akong bilang konsehal, madali siyang makaunawa sa mga problema ng kanyang kapwa."

Despite her asthma and breathing problems, the veteran actress is also excited to be working with Alix Jr., whom she worked with in "Whistleblower" (2016) and "Kontrabida" (2022)

Alam na alam na ni Direk ano ang ipapagawa sa akin na kaya kong gawin. Dahil kilala niyo naman ako na hindi marunong magtago, hindi ako marunog magsinungaling," she said.

More importantly, "Pieta" will also be a reunion project of her with her "kumare" Alajar whom she has shared the screen with five times namely "My Little Brown Girl" (1972), "Condemned" (1984), "Bulaklak ng City Jail" (1984), "Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak" (1987), and "Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina?" (1990). Alajar also directed Aunor in GMA Network teleserye "Onanay" (2019).

"Throughout these years, nakikita ko sa kanya yung humility niya dahil kahit superstar siya, hindi mo makikita sa kanya yung

Aside from "Pieta," Aunor is preparing to release first autobiography book which is set to be published this year.

"Malapit na ho ninyong mabasa kasi isusulat na ho yung libro ko. Tutulungan po kami ni Konsehal (Vargas) na matapos yung libro. Siguro ho, baka May meron na, magkaroon na ng copy," enthused Aunor.

"Hintayin na nila. Kasi, yung libro na yun, walang aalisin dun. Kung ano ang nangyari sa buhay ko talaga, yun ang ilalagay talaga sa libro. Yung mga nangyari sa buhay ko. Unahin muna namin yung simula, yung first part, yung pagkapanganak. Tapos mga nangyari sa akin nung bata ako hanggang sa nanalo ako ng 'Tawag ng Tanghalan.' Second part, yung mga sa puso yun. Tapos pangatlo, yung artista na ako talaga," she ended.