“Hindi natin maiiwasan ang mga pangyayari sa buhay. May mga plano ang Diyos. May mga magaganda pa Siyang plano na hindi natin alam at kailangan nating maniwala at manampalataya sa Kanya,” began Ian de Leon, the biological son of Nora Aunor, in a press conference held during the first day of his mother’s wake.

“On behalf of my siblings, my family, my children and my wife: maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” he continued. “Sa mga nandito na, sa mga may planong pumunta pero hindi makapunta, basta alam po naming nandiyan po kayo, sumusuporta, nagmamahal sa aming ina.”

Superstar and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor passed away on Wednesday, April 16, at the age of 71 years old.

Ian clarified that Nora did not pass away on the operating table. “She was being operated on, and after that she had a hard time breathing. Eventually all things went downhill from there, and that’s why they had to do another procedure after that.”

She is survived by her five children — Ian, Lotlot, Matet, Kenneth, and Kiko — along with their families.

During the press conference, Ian read his family’s official statement about his mother’s passing.

“Ito galing po sa aming puso,” he said.

“It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the passing of our beloved mother, Nora Aunor, National Artist and the greatest actress in the history of Philippine cinema. She passed away peacefully last night, April 16, surrounded by those who loved her the most,” he read. “From a very young age, our mom captivated hearts with her talent, grace, and unmatched voice. Over the decades, she built a career that shaped the very soul of our culture. Through song, through screen, and through every role she brought to life with brilliance, her contributions to the arts are immeasurable, and her legacy will live on in every performance, every melody, and every person she inspired.

“We are profoundly grateful to everyone who has reached out with love, prayers, condolences. Your messages are powerful testaments to how deeply she was cherished, not just by us but an entire nation. Thank you for honoring her life, her work, and the lasting mark she leaves behind,” he continued. “With love and heartfelt thanks from us, her children, her family, her friends.”

Ian recalled Nora’s strong faith, and vowed to hold on to this and pass it on to future generations.

“Gusto ko lang po i-share sa lahat ang mga naiwan niyang alaala sa amin, mga aral. Hindi mamamatay ‘yun. Habangbuhay naming dadalhin ‘yung mga aral na ibinigay niya sa amin. Makakarating sa mga anak namin, sa mga apo namin,” he promised. “Ang mga aral na ‘yun ay walang iba kung hindi ang maniwala sa Panginoon, kumapit lang sa Kanya kahit anumang pagsubok ang dumating sa buhay. Kailangan lang nating maging matatag para sa mga mahal natin sa buhay.”

He struggled to hold back tears as he remembered how fiercely Nora loved, and how passionate she was about her craft.

“Ang mommy namin, grabe magmahal. Grabe siyang magbigay. Uunahin niya mga ibang tao bago ang sarili niya,” shared Ian. “Hinayaan niyang maging inspirasyon sa karamihan ‘yung ginagawa niyang pagkanta, paggawa ng pelikula.”

He recalled how Nora would always give her best in what she did as a way to give back to those who continually believed in her and to give glory to God.

“Ginusto niya ‘yun gawin dahil gusto niyang iparating sa mga tao na ang tao rin ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa kanya, na ang tao rin ang nagbibigay ng pagmamahal sa kanya,” he said. “Kaya siya naging Superstar. Kaya siya naging National Artist. Dahil ‘yun sa pagmamahal. Dahil ‘yun sa ibinigay na biyaya ng Panginoon, sa paniniwala kay Hesukristo.”

Ian acknowledged that their lives had its own challenges, but they remained steadfast partly because of how their mother modelled that strength as well.

“Marami kaming pinagdaanan ngunit naging matatag kami dahil nakita namin na naging matatag siya, hindi lang para sa sarili niya kung ‘di para sa amin,” said Ian. “Kaya sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya, sa mga sumusuporta sa kanya, sa mga nagmamalasakit at nakakaintindi sa amin: maraming, maraming salamat po mula sa puso ko at sa mga kapatid ko, pamilya ko, asawa ko, mga anak ko, mga kaibigan naming totoo.”

Ian maintained that it has been an honor to be a witness to the way Nora lived her life.

“Nakita namin ‘yung buhay niya. Nakita nating lahat kung paano siya nabuhay sa harapan ng masa, ng media, ng entertainment industry. Nakita rin namin kung paano siya namuhay sa amin, sa pamilya niya, sa personal,” he said. “Marami kaming natutunan. Kaya kami, napakaswerte namin, napaka-blessed namin dahil nagkaroon kami ng Nora Aunor bilang ina. Thank you. Maraming salamat.”

The Superstar’s wake will run from April 17, Thursday, until April 22, Tuesday, at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.

Asked about his thoughts on the first ones who came to condole with their family, Ian acknowledged them as people who have been part of their mother’s life.

“Dumating sila dahil siyempre naging parte din sila ng mga buhay namin, naging parte din sila ng buhay ng aming ina, and napakagrateful po namin dahil sa halip ng mga busy nilang schedule at mas pinili nilang makasama kami, makiramay,” he said.

Ian also shared the schedule of the wake. April 17, 18, and 21 are dedicated to the family and friends of Nora, while there will be a public viewing on April 19 and 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will also be daily masses.

“April 22, Tuesday, is going to be the last day that we’re going to be with our mom here on earth before she goes up and joins our Creator,” he added. “We’re also having a state funeral and a mass. We’ll update you with the details for that.”

Nora will be honored with a State Funeral and will interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.