Nora Aunor’s Children Gather at Her Grave for Emotional 40th-Day Memorial

Manila, Philippines — Forty days after the nation mourned the heartbreaking loss of Philippine cinema’s most iconic legend, Nora Aunor, her children — Lotlot, Ian, Matet, Kenneth, and Kiko — made an emotional pilgrimage to her final resting place to mark her 40th-day death anniversary, a deeply respected tradition in Filipino culture.

The scene at the memorial site was solemn yet deeply moving. One by one, her children arrived — some with quiet tears, others holding flowers and candles — each carrying memories of a mother who, to millions, was the country’s “Superstar,” but to them, was simply Nanay.

Clad in white and soft earth tones, the Aunor siblings stood side by side as they offered prayers, laid roses on her grave, and lit candles. A small group of close relatives, friends, and longtime colleagues from showbiz were also present. Notably, there were no speeches or dramatic tributes — just a silent communion of love, loss, and legacy.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” whispered Lotlot de Leon to a close friend at the memorial. “Every time I see her photo, I expect her to walk in and scold me for crying.”

The gathering marked one of the rare moments in recent years where all five children were seen together publicly, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed. Rumors of past family rifts and misunderstandings resurfaced online, but were quickly overshadowed by the emotional strength of the moment.
This, many believed, was a sign of healing — a united front in honoring their mother’s legacy.

Matet de Leon, who had a very public falling-out with her adoptive mother in the past, was seen quietly placing a handwritten letter beside the headstone. Fans who witnessed the moment described it as “a scene no camera should disrupt — it was deeply personal.”

Kenneth and Ian, often the more private of the siblings, offered a joint prayer, while Kiko, the youngest, was seen comforting relatives overcome with emotion.

In the background, “Himala” softly played from a speaker — the same haunting theme from one of Nora Aunor’s most powerful performances — giving the gathering a surreal, almost cinematic touch. Some fans, standing respectfully outside the private enclosure, also lit candles and left flowers.

As the 40th day concluded, one sentiment was shared by everyone present:

“There will never be another Nora Aunor. And even in her absence, she continues to bring people together.”

Though her passing left an irreplaceable void in the Philippine entertainment industry, the quiet reunion of her children at her grave spoke volumes — not only of grief, but also of reconciliation, and above all, love

Why did Nora Aunor have so many adopted kids?
Although they did NOT come from her womb, Superstar Nora Aunor considered her adopted children to be her real children.

The Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth de Leon siblings are very grateful to Ate Guy for taking care of and raising them properly even though they are not her real children.

Ian de Leon is the only biological child of Ate Guy and Christopher de Leon.

According to the siblings, Nora loves them equally and they never felt that they were adopted. In an interview with “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” (KMJS) last Sunday, April 20, at Heritage Park, Taguig City where the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts is buried, the Lotlots were asked to react to Ate Guy’s previous statements about their siblings.

The Superstar explained why she has so many adopted kids, “They bring them home. People, especially the kids who are brought to you, you feel guilty if you don’t accept them.

“Because if you hear, let’s say, you didn’t accept them, and you hear that what happened to the kids wasn’t good, it’s like you have a conscience about why you didn’t accept them, that at least you can help them a lot,” said the iconic actress and singer.

Matet’s reaction, “To those who like to call us ‘adopted.’”

Lotlot said, “Are we adopted? No, of course not. Ian is the adopted one.”

Matet continued to explain, “He really doesn’t want to (be told we’re adopted). He never made us feel that way. We found out we were adopted from the helpers.

“I was twelve (years old) then. ‘Matet,’ I was called, ‘Brother (Ian), Mommy’s son, but we (Lotlot, Kiko, Kenneth) are her children in the heart. I thank Mommy because if it weren’t for her, they wouldn’t be my siblings,” he said.

Lotlot said that when he found out that Nora was not the real mother, he asked Ate Guy, “Why is it that only Ian came from your womb? Why not me? I want it, me too.”

Nora said that she replied, “You, you came from the Lord, he gave you to me. Ian, he is the only one I impregnated.”

Ian said, “Me too, I was hurt, ‘Why aren’t we the same?’ Because I love my sister so much. She’s really the one I’m always close to.

“So I kept it to myself, but there was a lingering feeling that I’m very thankful that she was my sister,” he said.

“Matet came along, Kiko, and Kenneth. We grew up, I had friends to play with. I’ve been bullied by some, I’ve been tripped by some,” Ian joked.

“But no, I’m so thankful to God that I’ve been a part of their lives through our mom,” the actor said.