She even became a cultural icon, one who aptly represents the victory of the masses in her own celebrity; closely identifying with the everyday man and woman. She rose from obscurity to the biggest star in the country without the help of a studio or network to build her up.
Who could forget her portrayal in CNN's top Asian film of all time, "Himala," which earned her awards both in local and international stages? Above all, this film placed her in an enviable position of being on the proverbial cultural timeline of the Philippines in terms of milestones and achievements. Who could forget that line, "Walang himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao!"?
Equally unforgettable are other notable portrayals in "Flor Contemplacion Story", where her utterance of "I did not kill anyone" reverberated from the voice of the OFW sentenced to die for a murder she claimed she didn't commit, and "My brother is not a pig!" from "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo," a film protesting US military presence in the Philippines.
You may notice that while the lines contain simple words and phrases, it's Nora's emphatic, powerful delivery that sets them apart and are now etched in stone.
Her stellar career and contributions to the craft made the Cultural Center of the Philippines bestow on Nora the Centennial Honor for the Arts in 1999. This is apart from her victories in film festivals, industry and critics awards here and abroad.
But, as her stardom glared across showbiz, one controversy after another took its toll on her. Real-life relationships, professional issues and financial problems led to several personal crises that forced Nora to at one time leave the limelight and even the country to deal with them.
Even with this, however, Nora is one artist who never leaves one's memory. Her incredible craft and performances as an actress will always remain on every Filipino mind.
Her recent return from her "exile" in the U.S., proves how Nora's legacy is above anything else. Despite her personal problems, she continues to deliver and continue that legacy that inspires followers and even colleagues in the industry.
This is why a House Resolution is being deliberated on naming her as a National Artist, a title which has a lot of other artists waiting, among them the very qualified Dolphy. But even so, Nora's legend is by far inarguable.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this blog.
By Gerry Plaza | omg! Philippines News Blog
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