After several years of being nominated as the National Artist for Cinema, finally, Nora Aunor can have a sigh of relief,
the award is now in her hands as she was given the penultimate award of recognition given to a living actress last June
10 2022.
The Superstar - Nora Aunor, the little brown girl from Iriga with the golden voice despite being one of the most awarded
actresses in the Philippine movies, gave President Noynoy Aquino a headache whether to confer her the award in 2014,
blame it on Nora's viral drug issues when she was still in America. That drew criticism from the public as they chant:
"We are looking for a National Artist here ... not a saint!"
By default, she had a repeat nomination in 2018, but the award seemed too elusive for her ... the highest recognition
for Filipino artists slipped again from her hands during President Duterte's term.
With the help of Congressman Christopher de Venecia, the year 2022 proved to be the year when she would receive the
"slippery as the catfish" award. Given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines and Cultural
Center of the Philippines, the award needs the approval of the President of the Philippines. Thank goodness, it looked
like Nora's history with drugs has lost steam (she has turned a new leaf for one) ... and the expiration date of the issue
is long overdue.
With the drug scandal (which proved to be her Achilles heel) she could have won the award a long time ago. Meanwhile,
Nora Aunor started to collect awards from international and local film festivals and when it rains ... it pours. She has by
now a room full of trophies and medals of recognition. And because of this, it can't be ignored that Nora is ripe to win the
National Artist recognition. It is just so unthinkable that an actress of her caliber and her awards harvested in different
international festivals will lose value just because she has a history with illegal drugs.
Nora has been lording it over in local awards derby via her films: Himala, Minsay Isang Gamugamo, Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo,
Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Atsay, Bona, Andrea Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina, Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit, Minsan
May Isang Ina,Bulaklak Ng City Jail, Mga Uod At Rosas, TBird At Ako, Bakit Bughaw Ang Langit making her a perennial
winner/nominee.
Here are the international awards won by Nora to prove to all and sundry that she deserved the award (only her past
personal life and alleged drug use delayed the conferment.)
-2017 - Hinulid - Best Actress- Filipino International Cine Festival (USA) - Won
2015 - Dementia - Best Actress -St. Tropez International Film Festival (France) - Won
-2015 - Dementia - Best Actress - Fantasporto - Oporto International Film Festival (Portugal) - Nominated
-2015 - Dementia - Best Actress - Soho International Film Festival (New York) - Nominated
-2014 - Hustisya - Best Actress- Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia) - Nominated
-2013 - Thy Womb- Best Actress - 3rd Sakhalin International Film Festival (Russia) - Won
-2013 - Thy Womb- Best Actress- Asian Film Awards (Hongkong) - Won
-2012 - Thy Womb- Best Actress -Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia) - Won
2012- Thy Womb -Premio Della Critica Indipendiente: Bisato d'Oro for Best Actress - Won
2012 - Thy Womb- Best Actress -Asia Pacific Fim Festival (Macau) -Nominated
2012- Thy Womb
- Best Actress -Dubai International Film Festival - Nominated
2012- Thy Womb - Best Actress - International Film Festival of India - Nominated
2010- Ten Asian Best Actresses of the Decade - Green Planet Movie Awards (Hollywood) -Won
-2008 - Himala - Best Actress - CNN APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of all Time - Won
-2004- Naglalayag - Best Actress - 31st Festival International du Film Independent de Bruxelles )Belgium) - Won
-1999 - Sidhi - Best Actress- Singapore International Film Festival - Nominated
-1997- Bakit May Kahapon Pa -Best Actress - Cairo International Film Festival - Nominated
-1997- Bakit May Kahapon Pa- Best Actress- East Asian Film and Television Award (Malaysia) - Won
1997- Bakit May Kahapon Pa- Best Actress- Singapore International Film Festival - Nominated
-1996 - The Flor Contemplacion Story- Best Actress -Fukuoka International Film Festival (Japan) - Nominated
-1995- The Flor Contemplacion Story- Best Actress -Cairo International Film Festival - Won
-1981- Bona- Premio de la Juri de la Federacion International des Cine-Clubs Certificate of Honor- Cannes Film Festival- Won