Honoring the life and legacy of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor with a necrological service

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) join the nation in commemorating the life and remarkable contributions of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, belovedly known as Nora Aunor, in a necrological service on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

Arrival honors will begin at 8:30 AM, followed by a tribute program at 9:00 AM. The state funeral rites will continue at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

The National Artist, who passed away on April 16, 2025 at 71, was a distinguished film, television, and theater actor, a renowned singer, and a film producer. Her career began in amateur singing competitions, eventually gaining attention when she won the television talent show Tawag ng Tanghalan in 1967. Her successful stint in the popular television show along with her appearance in Darigold Jamboree, led to her phenomenal rise earning the iconic title of the Philippine film industry’s “Superstar.”

Among her acclaimed films are Bona (1980), which was the closing film of Cinemalaya 2024, as well as Himala (1982), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), and The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995) - all were featured at the CCP Cine Icons program.

She was conferred the Order of National Artist (Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) by the Office of the President in 2022. The Order of National Artist is the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts.

The public is invited to attend the necrological service. Limited seats are available. The registration link will be released on Monday through the official social media pages of the CCP and NCCA.

For those unable to attend in person but who wish to pay their respects, the necrological service will be livestreamed on both the CCP and NCCA Facebook pages.

For inquiries, please call NCCA at 09209480385 or CCP at 09617466602.

CCP Cine Icons celebrates 1st Anniversary with Flor Contemplacion Story special screening

Just like that, the CCP Cine Icons, a program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division-Production and Exhibition Department (FBNMD-PED) that aims to honor and popularize the life and works of the National Artists for Film like Ricky Lee, Nora Aunor, and Marilou Diaz-Abaya, is turning a year old already.

In celebration of the upcoming 1st anniversary and also National Women's Month, Cine Icons presents the special screening and talkback of The Flor Contemplacion Story on March 15, 2024 1:00 PM at the GSIS Theater.

First shown in cinemas back in 1995, The Flor Contemplacion Story stars National Artist Nora Aunor and also the late Jaclyn Jose, 2016 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Winner. The film is directed by Joel Lamangan with screenplay by National Artist Ricky Lee and Bonifacio Ilagan.

More information about the CCP Cine Icons special screening of The Flor Contemplacion Story including how to reserve seats can be found at the press release reprinted below.

CCP CINE ICONS MARKS FIRST YEAR WITH ‘THE FLOR CONTEMPLACION STORY’

A special screening and talkback of The Flor Contemplacion Story marks the first anniversary of the CCP Cine Icons, slated on March 15, 1 pm, at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City.

Free and open to the public, this event is also CCP’s contribution to National Women’s Month, as part of its Gender and Development (GAD) commitment.

In partnership with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and VIVA Films, the 1995 crime-thriller film follows the tragic tale of Flor Contemplacion, a domestic worker from the Philippines. Leaving her home to seek work in Singapore, Flor finds employment at a relatively pleasant household. However, her life takes a sharp turn when Flor is accused of killing fellow maid Delia Maga as well as the child in her care. Although evidence supports Flor's innocence, a trial finds her guilty, and she is sentenced to death.

Directed by Joel Lamangan, with the screenplay by National Artist Ricky Lee and Bonifacio Ilagan, starring National Artist Nora Aunor, The Flor Contemplacion Story operates on various personal, social, and political levels. Both controversial and critically acclaimed, it won Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1996 FAP Awards, among 18 other wins and 16 nominations.

For the past year, CCP Cine Icons has screened numerous films by newly-minted National Artists Ricky Lee, Nora Aunor, and Marilou Diaz-Abaya in different screening venues and partner schools nationwide. A special program of the CCP Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division-Production and Exhibition Department (FBNMD-PED), this program aims to honor and popularize the life and works of the featured National Artists.

The CCP Cine Icons is also part of CCP Lakbay Sine, an outreach program of the FBNMD-PED that brings different film projects to different regions, partner communities, organizations, and campuses primarily to popularize the works of Filipino filmmakers and encourage film appreciation among the youth and the general public.

Noranians, film enthusiasts, and interested audiences may secure their seats for the screening by reserving here: bit.ly/CCPCineIcons-TFCS-reg.

To get the latest updates on future film screenings from CCP Lakbay Sine, follow the official CCP and CCP Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.