Essay (Cover Story): "Nora Aunor, Banaue, and the Ties That Bind"

The first movie I ever watched was Banaue, directed by Gerardo De Leon. It was a film unlike anything I had seen before, and I will always cherish the memory of that moment. I was sitting in my grandmother’s house, a place where I spent countless afternoons, and together, we watched this film that would stay with me for years to come. My grandmother, a devoted fan of Nora Aunor, was a true Noranian, and for her, watching her beloved actress on screen was something magical.

As a child, I was accustomed to cartoons and lighthearted kids’ shows. But Banaue was an entirely different world. The film's portrayal of the native Filipinos before the Spanish colonization was so surreal to me. Growing up in a rural town in the Philippines, where Catholic traditions were deeply rooted and life was simple, this ancient culture felt almost foreign. It was as if I was watching a different people, a different time, and a different way of life. The attire, the rituals, the daily lives of these people — everything felt distant, like a story from another world.

Yet, even at a young age, I could sense the profound dignity in their lives. The culture depicted in Banaue was both liberal and brutal, yet always honorable. Women and men were equals, a concept that was strikingly different from what I had learned in school. In the movie, Nora Aunor’s character, Banaue, stood out as a symbol of strength and independence. She had agency; she wasn’t subservient to the men around her. To a young child like me, that image was both inspiring and empowering.

I remember wondering, as I grew older, what the Philippines would have been like if the Spanish and Americans had never colonized the archipelago. Would we have developed in a different, more progressive direction? What if our culture had been allowed to flourish without the influence of foreign powers? These were questions I couldn’t answer back then, but Banaue made me realize how much of our history had been shaped by forces beyond our control.

Back then, I didn’t understand the depth of acting or what it meant to be a great thespian. But the performances in Banaue were so powerful that they set the bar for what great acting should be. Nora Aunor, with her quiet intensity, delivered a performance that was timeless. I may not have been able to articulate it, but I could feel the authenticity in her portrayal. To this day, that movie remains the benchmark for me when it comes to exceptional acting.

That lazy afternoon with my grandmother watching Banaue still stays with me. It was a simple moment, but it was a moment full of warmth, love, and connection. My grandmother, who passed away over 20 years ago, would have been devastated to hear that Nora Aunor, the woman she admired so deeply, has now passed away. Both came from humble beginnings, and for my grandmother, Nora Aunor was more than just an actress. She was a symbol of what could be achieved through perseverance and talent, a reminder that anyone, no matter their background, could make a mark on the world.

When I think of my grandmother and the grief she would have felt at Nora’s passing, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss. Nora Aunor was not just an icon to my grandmother; she was a reflection of her own dreams and aspirations. I can almost hear her saying, "She made it, and so can we." For people like my grandmother, who came from modest means, Nora Aunor represented a possibility, a chance to rise above one’s circumstances and achieve greatness.

As I reflect on that first movie experience, I realize how much it shaped my understanding of the world. Banaue wasn’t just a film; it was a window into a different time and culture, a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of our ancestors. It was also a bond, shared with my grandmother, that transcended generations.

Now, as I remember that afternoon, I feel both nostalgic and optimistic. I’m grateful for the moments I shared with my grandmother, for the lessons she taught me, and for the memories that continue to inspire me. Even as we mourn the loss of icons like Nora Aunor, we hold onto the stories that connect us, the memories that remind us of where we come from, and the hope that, like those who came before us, we too can accomplish great things — no matter how humble our beginnings may be.

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