In a fickle world like showbiz, celebrities may come and go but true stars are the one who end up truly enduring. The late actress Nora Aunor was one of the rare and talented few whose charisma was just as strong off camera as it was onscreen. Here are the top five most inspiring facts we think you should know about our country’s one and only known Superstar, Nora Aunor.

Nora Aunor, an actor among the Philippines' biggest stars, dies at 71

1. She is a National Artist for Film and Broadcast

In June 2022, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) officially named Nora a National Artist for Film and Broadcast. With a career that has spanned more than five decades, Nora’s prolific career boasts of a extensive filmography of 170 films as well as numerous local and international acting awards. She is also known to have received the most number of lifetime achievement awards both locally and internationally for her contribution to various fields of the arts like film, television, music, and theater.

2. She was a Tawag ng Tanghalan grand champion at 14 years old

Before she officially joined showbiz and became known as the country’s one and only Superstar, Nora joined and won Tawag ng Tanghalan in 1967 at the age of 14. Last year, Nora visited Pinoy Pawnstars’ Boss Toyo at his shop and brought with her the vintage dress she wore when she won the long-running singing competition more than five decades ago. Boss Toyo valued the dress at being worth no less than ₱5 million today.

Nora Aunor: Star of Philippines cinema dies aged 71

3. She was part of one of the country’s first teen love teams 

Way before the existence of love teams like Kathniel and Donbelle, the country’s most popular teen couple was known as Guy and Pip, or Nora and her most successful love team partner, Tirso Cruz III. The two starred in their first movie together called D’ Musical Teenage Idols in 1969 followed by 13 more teenybopper film projects. Their 1971 film Guy and Pip was so successful it ran in cinemas for six straight months and broke box office records during that time.

4. She paved the way for Pinoy actors to be recognized internationally

After playing the role of a Pinay domestic worker who was executed in Singapore after getting convicted of a double murder in the 1995 movie The Flor Contemplacion Story, Nora became the first Filipino actor to win an International acting award in a major film festival. She also bagged the most number of Best Actress wins and nominations in International awards from prestigious award-giving bodies from countries in Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia.

5. Her fan clubs have been around since 1967

Nora is probably the only Pinoy actress with fans that have truly proven their loyalty to the country’s one and only Superstar for more than five decades already. Groups like the Federation of Nora Aunor Followers and GANAP or Grand Alliance for Nora Aunor Philippines have different chapters all over the country and all share a love for their beloved star.