In Honor of Her Legacy, Here’s a List of Films by Filipino Icon Nora Aunor

Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, also known as Nora Aunor, one of the biggest stars in Philippine entertainment, even called as the Superstar of the Philippine Cinema, and a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, passed away on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the age of 71.

Who would have thought that a short, morena probinsyana selling water at a train station in Iriga would go on to make such a lasting impact on generations of Filipinos through her fearless portrayals of Filipino women from all walks of life? Nora Aunor broke the glass ceiling in an industry where only tall, mestiza women were celebrated in the media. Through her and the characters she brought to life, many Filipinos finally saw themselves reflected on screen.

She stood among the marginalized, as she joined and supported campaigns and mass mobilizations on migrant workers, farmers, teachers, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community. She's truly a Superstar and a National Artist in her own right.

In memory of the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, several of her films are available to watch for free. Most of the featured titles have been digitally restored through the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project.

Himala (Miracle) - 1982

Himala is undoubtedly the most decorated film under Nora Aunor, created by her fellow National Artists Ishmael Bernal and Ricky Lee. She portrayed Elsa, a young woman who claims that she saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, and becomes a faith healer. This film is a social commentary on religion and fanaticism, maintaining its relevance to the Philippine social context through the ages.

Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo (Once A Moth) - 1976

Directed by  Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara, this film tells the story of Corazon, a nurse planning to work in the US but the plan was derailed as her brother was killed by a US soldier near the military base.This is where the famous line, "My brother is not a pig!" came from. This film serves as a critique of the presence of US bases in the 70s (and yes, are making their comeback through EDCA bases and Balikatan exercises).

Bulaklak sa City Jail (The Flowers of the City Jail) - 1984

Nora portrayed Angela, a pregnant nightclub singer that was arrested for attempted murder and sought ways to survive inside the city jail. The film criticizes the criminal justice system and the unfair treatment of women in the society. Directed by Mario O'Hara. 

T-bird at Ako (T-bird and Me) - 1982

This film is famously known for the Nora-Vilma pair-up, the two biggest stars and showbiz rivalry of their time (a joint slay of two queens, in Gen Z terms!). This film is also one of the earliest portrayals of the LGBTQ community in Philippine cinema, lesbian women in particular. Directed by Danny Zialcita.

The Flor Contemplacion Story - 1995

This is also one of the most socially relevant films under Nora, as she portrayed a real-life Filipina domestic helper that had faced a death sentence - the miserable fate of Flor Contemplacion that had sparked public outcry and outrage on the unfair treatment of OFWs in migrant countries, and where Nora herself supported campaigns and went to protests for Flor and for migrant workers rights. Directed by Joel C. Lamangan.

Stream all of these films with English subtitles on ABS-CBN Star Cinema and Viva Film's YouTube channel.

Share them with your nanay, tita, and lola - chances are, they're proud Noranians. They’ll love revisiting her iconic performances (and who knows, it might even spark deeper conversations about political issues you don’t usually talk about with family).

Long live the memory and great artistry of Nora Aunor! Long live Philippine cinema and the Filipino women in the struggle!