By Nestor Cuartero
JUST A THOUGHT: “No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
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SIMPLEST OF BIRTHDAYS: Unlike during her past many birthdays, Nora Aunor marked her 65th birth anniversary quietly without as much as a shout-out.
It was so low-key and simple. She spent the day, May 21, at home in a condo in Eastwood, Quezon City, with a few trusted companions.
“I cooked some of my favorite Bicol dishes,” she stated. The superstar said her specialty is Bicol Express, hot, saucy, and spicy.
She said she doesn’t miss the grand birthday celebrations she had in the past, especially at the peak of her superstardom in the 70s and 80s.
“We all have our time. Let the new generation of artists enjoy their own field day,” she says.
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SUPERSTAR IS ONANAY: Nora recently signed a program contract with GMA which hosted a media conference exclusively for the reclusive actress. She will play the title role in Onanay, the story of a woman who suffers from Achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder that stunts her growth. She brings up two daughters who grow up physically normal.
Onanay is described as a heart-warming story of love and acceptance among family members. It shows the unconditional love of a mother for her children.
Nora said she’s excited to work with new talent, such as Mikee Quintos and Kate Valdez, who play her daughters in the forthcoming primetime series.
Nora is being directed for the first time by former co-actor Gina Alajar, with whom she acted in several films in the past. Gina finds Nora a diligent actress who follows instructions from her director despite her formidable reputation.
Onanay also stars Mikee Quintos, Kate Valdez, Cherie Gil, Gardo Versoza, Wendell Ramos, Adrian Alandy.
Introduced is newest Kapuso, Jo Berry, cast as Onay, herself vertically challenged.
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LEADER IN MAY: GMA Network announced that in May, based on data from widely-trusted Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, the station remained as the viewers’ preferred channel after posting a total day people audience share average of 39.8 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM).
Network topped NUTAM’s morning block with 35.9 percent people audience share.
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TOPPING, TRENDING: The grand finals of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on “It’s Showtime,” where Janine Berdin was crowned grand champion, recorded a national TV rating of 31 percent June 2 (Kantar Media).
The grand finals’ official hashtag #TNT2HulingTapatan also topped the list of worldwide trending topics on Twitter.
Meanwhile, “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” remained undisputed as it hit national TV ratings of 32.8 percent same day June 2.
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MILITARY HAIR-DO: Angel Locsin sports cropped, military-style hair for her role in new, star-filled ABS-CBN teleserye “The General’s Daughter.”
