Coco Martin, Julia Montes, showbiz icons pay respects to Nora Aunor

Umapaw ang pakikiramay at pag-alaala sa namayapang National Artist at tinaguriang Superstar na si Nora Aunor sa unang gabi ng kanyang lamay sa The Heritage Park, Taguig City, Huwebes, April 17, 2025. @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/htvOGSPWQP

— Christopher Sitson (@ChrisSitson) April 17, 2025

MANILA -- Coco Martin, Julia Montes, and other showbiz personalities paid their respects to the Superstar Nora Aunor on the first night of her wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig City Thursday evening, April 17, 2025.

Martin and Montes gave their heartfelt gratitude to the late superstar for her contributions to the showbiz industry.

"Kasi si Ate Guy hindi lang namin naka-trabaho bilang artista. Talagang naramdaman namin siya bilang nanay. Dahil nung nakasama namin siya sa 'Padre De Pamilya,' mula noon kasi 'yung relationship nagdire-diretso," Martin said.

"Naging magkaibigan kami, constant 'yung communication. Kaya kahapon nung nalaman namin nagulat talaga kami. Sobra kaming nagpapasalamat sa kanya sa iniambag niya sa industriya natin," he said.

"Siguro bukod kasi sa talent ni Ate Guy, ang Superstar natin, 'yung lesson na ibinigay niya sa amin, 'yung mga kuwentong ishinare niya everytime na nakikipag-usap siya sa amin ay mababaon namin. Siguro kung gaano kami kalungkot, ganoon din kalungkot ang mga fans. Pagdasal lang natin kasi nasa langit na siya kasama ng Panginoon natin," Montes added.

Veteran singer and former Camarines Sur vice governor Imelda Papin became emotional while sharing her last moments with her idol and good friend Nora Aunor.

"She is my idol, my kumadre, and sa lahat ng kaibigan niya ako 'yung isa sa nakaalam sa surgery niya. We had a communication and after she texted me that she was okay at nagpapasalamat siya sa akin. Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi we were talking, we were texting everyday tapos hindi ako makapaniwala na nawala siya kagabi," Papin said.

"I was there na-witness ko po 'yung pagkawala niya kasama 'yung mga anak niya. Siya po ang hinangaan ng lahat ng Filipinos, when it comes to music, naging National Artist siya dahil sa larangan ng pagkanta, larangan ng pag-arte. Siya po ang number 1, wala pong makakatalo sa kanya. The one and only superstar," she shared.

Actor Jeric Gonzales recalled how Aunor comforted him during the shooting of the film ‘Dementia,’ their project together in Batanes over a decade ago.

"The first time we met pa lang nakita ko na 'yung goodness ni Nanay Guy kasi sobrang kinakabahan ako siyempre superstar 'yan. Tapos nung nakita niyang kinakabahan ako sabi niya 'Halika anak yakapin mo muna ako para mawala ang kaba mo'. Niyakap ko siya, ayun nawala 'yung kaba ko," Gonzales said.

 "'Yung advice na binigay sakin, dapat 'yung pag-arte galing sa puso. Be natural, be yourself," he shared.

Aside from Montes, Martin, and Papin, "Star for All Seasons" Vilma Santos and screenwriter Ricky Lee also visited Aunor's wake.

According to the wake schedule posted by Aunor's daughter Lotlot De Leon on social media, the viewing will resume on Friday, April 18, from 1 p.m. to midnight, for family and friends.

A mass will also be held at 7 p.m.

Public viewing will begin on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another public viewing session will be held on Sunday, April 20, also from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.