Manila, Philippines – An overwhelming wave of emotion swept through the memorial chapel as popular comedian Ate Gay arrived at the wake of the legendary Nora Aunor. Known as the “Superstar” of Philippine cinema, Nora’s death has stunned the entire nation, but it was Ate Gay’s raw, uncontrollable grief that left mourners in tears and disbelief.

The moment Ate Gay laid eyes on Nora Aunor’s coffin, he collapsed into sobs. “This can’t be real… it can’t be her inside that box,” he cried out. Witnesses at the wake said the comedian, who had long admired and impersonated Nora Aunor in his performances, appeared inconsolable. It wasn’t just a fan saying goodbye—it was a deeply personal loss.

Ate Gay, known for his comedic timing and impersonations of Filipino icons, had always spoken highly of Nora. “She was more than a superstar to me. She was my idol, my light, my reason for loving this industry,” he shared in an emotional interview after calming down.

The wake, held at a renowned memorial chapel in Quezon City, was attended by celebrities, politicians, industry veterans, and fans who came to pay their respects. But it was Ate Gay’s emotional breakdown that truly captured the pain of a generation saying farewell to one of its most treasured artists.

Videos and photos of Ate Gay weeping by the coffin have since gone viral, with thousands of netizens sharing their own memories of Nora Aunor. “Ate Gay’s reaction was all of us. That’s how much we loved Nora,” one fan commented online.

Throughout the night, friends and former co-stars of the late actress took turns recalling unforgettable moments with her. But amid all the heartfelt eulogies, one lingering question echoed in the chapel’s silence: How do you say goodbye to someone who felt like home?

Ate Gay’s parting words before leaving the chapel shook those who heard them: “I’m not ready. I don’t think any of us are. She gave us her whole life—her voice, her soul, her stories. Now all we have left are memories.”

As the day of the burial draws near, the loss of Nora Aunor continues to ripple across the country, leaving behind a trail of sorrow, nostalgia, and a void that may never be filled

Nora Aunor’s impersonator Ate Gay performs ‘Kahit Konting Awa’ during wake
Gil Aducal Morales, who is best known as Ate Gay, expressed his love and gratitude for Nora Aunor with a rendition of the song “Kahit Konting Awa” during the latter’s wake.

Ate Gay was emotional as she performed Aunor’s “Kahit Konting Awa” in honor of the National Artist’s life and legacy, as seen on the comedian’s Facebook page on Saturday, April 19.

“As long as there are Noranians, there is Nora Aunor. We will never forget you. Thank you for being Ate Gay for three decades because of you, Ms. Nora Aunor. I will continue to improve. Please guide me,” his post read.

(Until there is a Noranian, there is Nora Aunor. You never left our hearts. I became Ate Gay for three decades because of you, Ms. Nora Aunor. I will make it even better. Please guide me from above.)Touching on the National Artist’s kindness, Ate Gay said Aunor was not selfish when it came to allowing her identity to be impersonated.

“For Nora Aunor, since I started working, I’ve been a bet. So I’m grateful to her. I’ve traveled all over the world because of her… I mean, she supports those who imitate her. She’s not stingy. She doesn’t forbid us [from imitating her],” he said.

(I became a fan of Nora Aunor when I started working. I’m very grateful to her. I got to travel around the world because of her. She was supportive of her impersonators. She was not selfish. She didn’t stop us from impersonating her.)

The comedian also shared that the National Artist played a huge role in inspiring him to do better in his craft.

“I learned from her how to be good to people, to be kind to fans. I learned to entertain audiences and to act (I learned from her how to be good to people, to be kind to fans. I learned how to entertain audiences and act better),” he said.

Aunor died of acute respiratory failure at the age of 71 on April 16, just a month before her 72nd birthday. An internment and a state funeral will be held in her honor on Tuesday, April 22.

The screen veteran is survived by Ian de Leon, her biological son with ex-husband Christopher de Leon, as well as by their four adoptive children, namely, Lotlot, Matet, Kiko and Kenneth.