LA AUNOR ASSETS HANGING, WHAT’S FOR THE “HEIRS”?

Ni Cha Francisco Francisco

RECENTLY BOOMING and trending long in social media, the chaotic exchange of disgust among the children left by the demised, titled Philippine .Showbiz Superstar NORA AUNOR, later conferred the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Award, sparked with various opinions and speculations.

Well. nice to watch later in Kuya BOY ABUNDA’s most recent interview with LOTLOT DE LEON how things develop among the siblings. as she stressed addressing to LA AUNOR’s lone biological child IAN CHRISTOPHER’s plans. ‘ I wish him well, I wish him all the best”. .

As per early showbiz records, NORA AUNOR, fondly called ATE GUY from her boyish packaging during childhood was known to have undergone more than a handful challenges and trials in life, open to the public, relative to drugs and failure in love life, such that, her nomination for the National Artist category was a question initially, whether a scandal- dragged drug subject should be considered for the list.

Nonetheless, her legendary story as a simple lass selling water in a traspo station around a remote place in Bicol inspired the public.She rose to popularity from humble beginnings, joining a singing contest on national television, bringing home the bacon as champion with her appealing ‘golden voice’ .. voice of a lass appealing as a big woman’s texture and singing style.

As related by my relatives from Nichols Air Base (now Villamor Air Base while todate, Nichols already stands as a barangay in the area) .ATE GUY was raised there by her aunt Mamay Belen, better half of a certain Sgt. AUNOR. Learning later how well the lass could sing, the couple were agog to enlist her in a popular TV show, (” Tawag Ng Tanghalan”?).

Accordingly, Ate GUY related why she carried the family name AUNOR over her real surname VILLAMAYOR. Her uncle-in-law Sgt. AUNOR suggested such stage name since she was treated like a real daughter.

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A COLORFUL LIFE STORY NORA AUNOR’s early popularity earned for her the big opportunity to be paired with top leading men, including TIRSO CRUZ III, said to have been her first love, ignored.

She was paired to matinee idols like MANNY DE LEON, RICHARD MERK COCOY LAUREL and CHRISTOPHER ‘Boyet’ DE LEON. The BOYET- GUY tandem led to marriage though covered with controversies when she got pregnant at 23 while BOYET was 17, such that court case followed, as per veteran scribe sources..just let the rest be part of history. They had sole child ‘IAN’ DE LEON but the marriage did not last long, they separated and had other partners. SANDY ANDOLONG for BOYET and publicly known for LA AUNOR was JOHN RENDEZ , though she had prior relationships, reportedly, one was with RICHARD MERK.

NORA AUNOR as a superstar had several projects both in films and recordings. Though living alone later, it was much publicized that she owned several assets, houses, lots, farms, among others. Sad to say, there were reports that mismanagement and problematic life status left no reliable assets anymore as most were sold, abandoned and/or acquired by others. Ate GUY lived life in full, but ended up in misery being poor, as per later news. Was it not disturbing to learn that when she got sick, nobody took care of her? If was her fellow singer-actress, close friend and fellow Bicolana IMELDA PAPIN who was beside her.

Showbiz news at the time spread some sort of misunderstanding with her children, adopted LOTLOT, MATET, KIKO, KENNETH and biological son IAN, who as per news, were not in favor of her relationship with JOHN RENDEZ, the man.. much younger but her partner for long years.

Reportedly, with LA AUNOR’s passing, the sole heir is her biological son IAN, who announced, he would share inheritance to siblings fairly .. but it will undergo process, together with other plans on a possible Foundation with Legacy projects. Hence, the chaotic exchange of unpleasant communication via social media among the siblings.

Well, with the miserable, melancholy life LA AUNOR had, prior to demise, what is there remaining for the “heirs”? No actual money yet, assets mostly sold, others lost with some government land reform projects, per reliable sources. For sure, there is inheritance still, including royalty from her several films and albums but IAN DE LEON is right, process is vital for the situation, another interesting chapter to follow. HAPPY READING!