Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally attended the state funeral held on Tuesday, April 22, for National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, offering his final respects to one of the Philippines’ most revered cultural figures. He was joined by Senator Robinhood Padilla and longtime friend, actor Phillip Salvador at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Aunor, who passed away on April 16 at the age of 71, was mourned not only as a cinematic legend but also as a voice for the everyday Filipino. From her humble beginnings as a young vendor in Iriga to her ascension as the most decorated actress in Philippine history, her life carved a path that many aspired to but few could follow.
“Una sa lahat, nakikiramay po ako sa pamilya ng ating National Artist at Superstar of Philippine cinema, si Nora Aunor,” Go said in an interview. “Bilang haligi at isa nang institusyon, malaki s’yang kawalan sa industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino.”
Go, who has always been a fan of local cinema, recalled that their unexpected friendship began in 2022 when he met the actress at Malacañang Palace for her conferment of the Order of National Artists of the Philippines by then President Rodrigo Duterte. “Talagang nilapitan ko po s’ya,” he recalled. “Nilapitan ko at sabi ko, ‘Congratulations.’ Isa pong malaking karangalan na makilala s’ya.”
Go, who has supported the Philippine entertainment industy in his capacity as Senator, reminisced about watching films in wooden theaters in his youth, admiring stars like Philip Salvador, Lito Lapid, and Robin Padilla—people he now sits with in the Senate. Seeing Nora Aunor, he said, was a dream come true.
“Dati po sa pelikula lang, napapanood ko lang s’ya sa big screen. Ngayon, nakaharap ko na po ang tinaguriang nag-iisang Superstar ng pelikulang Pilipino.”
Their connection deepened quickly. “Nag-te-text po kami. Napapadala ako ng pomelo sa kanya, tapos nagkukuwentuhan kami. S’ya po, naging textmate ko na.”
Go described how Aunor eventually and willingly volunteered to endorse him to her fellow Bicolanos, expressing her desire to support him: “Gusto n’ya po akong samahan. Gusto n’ya po akong tulungan. Ako po’y sobrang nagpapasalamat. Isa pong malaking karangalan na ma-endorso at mapagkatiwalaan ng isang Superstar tulad ni Ate Guy.”
In a Facebook post on March 30, Aunor publicly referred to Go as “Mr. Malasakit,” praising his public service. “Sabi ko, ‘di ko po sasayangin ‘yung tiwala na ibinigay n’ya sa akin, kaya patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” said Go. “Naniniwala po ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos.”
On March 11, Aunor texted Go after seeing former President Duterte resting on television with an oxygen concentrator. “Inalok n’ya po ‘yung kanya. Nakikita n’yo po kung gaano kabait si Nora Aunor. Ultimo ‘yung oxygen n’ya, gusto n’yang ibigay para makatulong.”
By April, Aunor and Go were both recipients of the World Class Excellence Japan Awards. She expressed her wish to attend the event but couldn’t due to illness. “Nag-text s’ya sa akin. Gusto n’ya pong magkita sana kami doon sa awards night. Hindi raw s’ya makakadalo, may representative na lang daw s’ya.”
When asked about Aunor’s conferment as National Artist, Go said: “Most deserving po s’ya. It’s long overdue. Dream come true po ‘yon kay Ma’am Nora Aunor. At dream come true rin po sa akin na nakita ko s’ya nang personal sa Malacañang at nabati ko s’ya.”
He fondly remembered their conversations and her humility. “Napaka-humble. Napaka-simple. Nandun lang po s’ya sa tabi habang naghihintay. Ako, talagang excited po ako. Nilapitan ko agad s’ya, pati pamilya n’ya. Doon po nag-umpisa lahat.”
To Aunor’s legions of loyal fans, Go recalled his interaction with them during the funeral: “Alam kong malungkot kayo. Sobrang lungkot kanina. Marami pong lumapit sa akin. Nabanggit nila na nabasa nila ‘yung post ni Ma’am Nora.
Sabi n’ya, ‘Inendorso ka ni Ma’am Nora Aunor.’ Sabi ko, ‘di ko po sasayangin ang tiwalang ibinigay ng ating Superstar. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino, sa abot ng aking makakaya.”
Go also recalled her most iconic performances, particularly Himala and Flor Contemplacion Story.
Her artistry also earned her international acclaim, including Best Actress honors at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the Asian Film Awards, and the distinction of being the first Filipino member of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy.
Asked for his message to Aunor’s children, he said: “Meron po kayong kaibigan. Kaibigan ko po ang nanay n’yo. Kaibigan n’yo rin po ako. Kuya n’yo ako. Kapatid. Kaibigan.”
As she is laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Go said, it is only right that someone like Nora Aunor—who gave so much of herself to the country—should be honored among heroes.
“Isa po s’yang maituturing na bayani,” Go said softly. “At isang malaking karangalan sa isang probinsyano na humahanga sa ating mga artista mula pa pagkabata na makilala, makatext, at matawag na kaibigan ng nag-iisang Superstar ng Pilipinas.”
As part of his ongoing efforts to promote the welfare of those in the creative sector, Senator Go is a co-author and co-sponsor of the Eddie Garcia Law, which seeks to provide comprehensive protection and just benefits for film and television workers.
He is also pushing for the passage of his filed Senate Bill No. 1183, or the Media and Entertainment Workers Bill, aimed at further institutionalizing greater safeguards and fair treatment across the sector if enacted.
Senator Go, who has served as a dedicated member of the MMFF Executive Committee for six years, is also pushing for his proposal to hold the MMFF twice a year, with plans to hold and strengthen the Metro Manila Summer Film Festival. He believes this initiative will create more opportunities for filmmakers and industry workers while giving audiences more chances to enjoy Filipino films.
