As the nation mourns the heartbreaking loss of Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor, fans were quick to notice the absence of one very important figure—Tirso Cruz III, her former on-screen partner and real-life close friend.

Tirso Cruz III offers condolences to Nora Aunor's family | ABS-CBN  Entertainment

The legendary love team of Guy and Pip, as fans lovingly called them, brought magic to Philippine cinema for decades. So when news broke of Nora’s passing, many expected Tirso to be among the first to pay tribute in person. However, questions started circulating when he did not appear at her wake, and fans began speculating online after he posted a cryptic message on his Instagram account.

TIRSO CRUZ III HINDI MAKAKAPUNTA SA WAKE NI NORA AUNOR? ITOY BASE SA  KANIYANG IG POST? FANS NAGHANAP

📱 In his post, Tirso shared a reflective quote about “grief from afar” and the “burden of honoring someone in silence,” without directly mentioning Nora or the wake. This vague caption left followers confused and concerned, with many taking to the comments to ask:

“Pip, are you okay? Are you coming to say goodbye to Nora?”
“We understand if it’s too painful, but please let us know.”

Some fans expressed disappointment, others voiced understanding, recognizing that grief takes many forms and that their shared history may have made this loss especially heavy for Tirso to bear.

Nora Aunor & Tirso Cruz III - Maalaala mo Kaya - YouTube

🎬 Their partnership defined a golden era in Filipino cinema. For many, seeing him at Nora’s wake would have symbolized closure, not just for their love team—but for an entire generation of fans.

At this time, Tirso Cruz III has not confirmed whether he will attend any of the remaining memorial services. Supporters continue to leave messages of love and comfort, hoping he finds peace in his own way.