Former actor and vocal coach Richard Merck recently made a shocking statement after he revealed that he is the legal husband of the late National Artist and Superstar Nora Aunor.

In an exclusive interview, Richard shared that he and Nora Aunor got married in Las Vegas in 1988. According to him, the wedding took place while they were traveling together to America to watch a concert. The public, especially many of the Superstar’s fans, did not know about it.

“I apologized so much to her…Because, I left her without saying goodbye. That’s the biggest, I think, mistake I made—that I left without saying goodbye,” Richard said emotionally. He admitted that this was one of the biggest mistakes he made in their relationship—that he simply left without any notice or explanation.

Although their marriage ended in divorce, Richard clarified that their marriage was never legalized or finalized in a document. “So, it’s a shame, eh. We lost a superstar. I lost my ex-wife. We were married, you know. In Vegas,” he added.

He added, “So, we were not divorced. We never went to Vegas to divorce. So, sad.”

According to Richard, their relationship started as a professional one—he was Nora’s vocal coach before. From the friendship that resulted from their collaboration in music, it gradually turned into deeper feelings that resulted in their marriage.

This revelation surprised not only the public but also Noranians—longtime fans of Ate Guy. For most, the only known relationship and husband of the Superstar was Christopher de Leon, her love team and partner in many movies and programs.

But according to the record, the annulment or legal separation of Nora and Christopher was not finalized until 1996. Therefore, if Richard and Nora’s marriage in 1988 was real, it may not have been recognized legally, because Nora was still legally married to Christopher at the time.

Because of this, the issue of the legality of the relationship Richard recounted has been opened. To date, Nora Aunor’s family has not yet made an official statement regarding his statements. It is still unclear if there are documents to prove the alleged Las Vegas wedding, or if the family considers it part of Nora’s official life history.

However, the sadness on Richard’s face is evident as he looks back on his memories with Nora. Despite the long time that has passed and the misunderstandings, the depth of the connection they shared, no matter how long ago or unclear in the eyes of the law, is still undeniable.

Her story serves as a reminder that behind the glitter of stars in front of the camera, there are also stories that are not shared with the public—secrets of the heart that are only now being revealed.

Nora Aunor gives money to prisoners; farmer receives P15K
Award-winning director Joel Lamangan is also heartbroken today over the death of Superstar Nora Aunor.

His tribute and farewell to his friend, which he posted on his Facebook page, was long and emotional.

“Ate Guy, my actress in the six films I made and starred in, Muling Umawit ang Puso, Flor Contemplacion, Bakit may Kahapon Pa, Sidhi, Hustisya, Isa Pang Bahaghari, is no more.

“In all the films mentioned, her ability to play every character the film required was outstanding.

“The ‘best actress’ awards she received in almost all the films we made are proof. Local and international awards! In the making of six films, our professional relationship as actress and director was formed,” the award-winning filmmaker began sharing.

Director Joel continued, “The principle that the truth that the film demands should be what we can give to the audience was formed. The striking type of performance that only Nora can give was formed. The simple, realistic, and direct expression of emotion that a particular time demands.

“Ate Guy is not a product of any workshop or any acting school. Her skill is the result of the experiences she went through from when she was a child until she became a superstar!” the director said.

The first thing they do before starting a film is to have an in-depth conversation about what message they want to convey to the audience.

“The conversations were often deep, there were arguments, there was a slight raising of the voice and in the end he would say, ‘You take care of it, sir, I believe in you. That’s the respect of ate Guy!” he said.

Director Joel also confirmed the late actress’s philanthropy, as was also stated by her son Ian de Leon.

“Ate Guy was kind to everyone he worked with. He didn’t want anyone to be oppressed or aggrieved, especially the crew who were paid little. On the last day of filming, he would definitely give everyone some financial help.

“The workers were overjoyed by his generosity. After the shooting of Flor Contemplacion at the Sta. Cruz city jail in Sta. Cruz Laguna, he lined up the prisoners who were with us and gave them money.

“The warden called me and told me to stop Ate Guy and that the prisoners were going back to the prison and might escape. Ate Guy said ‘I told them no one would escape’ and no one escaped!

“One thing I will never forget is when we were doing Sidhi where his role was dumb. During lunch break, Ate Guy came up to me and pointed to an old farmer sitting under a mango tree, ‘look at that old man who looks like Papay’. Popeye the sailor man?

“No, I said. Not my father, my father in Bikol, he came to the old man with lunch and asked ‘Why are you alone, Dad?’ and ‘why are you sad?’ The old man looked at him and said ‘because my buffalo died, I have nothing to use anymore.’ How much is the buffalo? Sister Guy asked the old man. About fifteen thousand. We couldn’t afford to buy it.

“Sister Guy called his companion and asked for 15 thousand, gave it to the old man. ‘This is my help to you, buy a new buffalo, don’t say it was from me.’

“The old man accepted the money with tears in his eyes and thanked me! Those are just a few of the kindnesses I witnessed, how big his heart was for those in need,” Direk said.

He continued, “Among his fellow artists, I never saw him teach how to do a scene, I once asked him, why don’t you teach ate Guy? He said ‘my experience is not different from his experience, he has a different feeling here, let’s respect that!

“All we can do is clarify the situation! That’s what Ate Guy and Daki lang Pambansang Alagat ng Sining are like now.”“I learned a lot from ate Guy who shaped my belief that the truth should not be covered up, the past should not be erased and history should not be changed

“We were supposed to talk about an important movie that our friend Ricky Lee was going to write- the Nora Aunor Story, we talked to the producer, just waiting for the right time.

“It’s a shame ate Guy is no longer here but we will continue it! Farewell ate Guy, you will remain in my Ala Ala and in my heart! Until we meet again! LIVE!!!”