Ricky Lee calls Nora Aunor 'rebelde" for breaking status quo as an actress

Ricky Lee was among the personalities who paid tribute to Nora Aunor at the Superstar's necrological service at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on Tuesday morning. In his tribute speech, the award-winning author and screenwriter called the Superstar “rebelde” for breaking the status quo as an actress, as well as for changing the colonial view of beauty standards. “Rebelde si Guy.

Sa loob ng pitong dekada ay nilabanan niya ang status quo. Binago niya ang kolonyal na pagtingin na nagsasabi na mga mapuputi lang at matatangkad ang maganda sa ‘Puting Tabing,’” Lee said. Lee also mentioned the litany of roles played by Nora that empowered women.



“Ginampanan niya ang papel ng mga babaeng palaban at makatotohanan. Naging madre siya, bilanggo, lesbian, NPA, OFW, kabit, anak na naging kaagaw ng ina sa pag-ibig, alalay, atsay at kontrabida, Muslim, Igorota, Binokot, may dimentia, mamamatay tao,” he said, adding how Nora took on unconventional characters with her roles in them ovies “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos,” “Hiamala,” and “Flor Contemplacion,” among others. “Sa isang panahon na hindi tanggap ng mga tao na namamatay ang bida sa ending, namatay siya sa ‘Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos,’ ‘Himala,’ ‘Nakaw na Pag-Ibig,’ ‘Andrea,’ ‘Flor Contemplacion’ at iba pa,” he said.

For Lee, Ate Guy, who chose not only to be a Superstar, but to be a true artist of the people, has broken glass ceilings and changed many beliefs throughout her life. “Ipinakita niyang mahalaga ang nararamdaman ng mga taong nasa gilid ng lipunan, may mga boses na dapat pakinggan. Pinili niyang huwag lang maging Superstar, kung hindi maging isang tunay na artista ng bayan,” Lee said of Nora.

“Nilagyan niya ng hugis ang ating mga damdamin. Binigyan ng direksyon ang ating aspirasyon. Binigyan din niya tayo ng pag-asa at tinuruan na pwede tayong lumaban upang matupad ang ating mga pangarap.

Ipinakita niya sa atin ang kapangyarihan hindi natin akalaing mayroon pala ang ordinaryong tao. Ginawa niyang totoo ang ibig sabihin ng sining,” he added. Ricky and Nora have worked in various films such as “Himala,” “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” “Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?” and “The Real Life of Pacita M,” among others.

Nora passed away on April 16 of acute respiratory failure . She was 71. The multi-awarded actress was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022.

Some of her best films can be streamed online, including "Himala," "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo," and "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos." In the wake of Nora's passing, many celebrities including Dingdong Dantes , Eugene Domingo, and Vilma Santos took to social media to honor her memory and unimpeachable legacy. — LA, GMA Integrated News.