Nora Aunor

Actor Ian de Leon revealed the last message he received from his late mother, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor.

Ian recalled his last conversation with the veteran actress in an interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on April 21. Nora was already in the hospital, so they weren’t able to talk in person.

He said that he messaged his mother, adding that Nora didn’t let her children know about her condition. Her last texts included a quote or prayer surrounding the relationship between a mother and her children and her grandchildren.

“Panginoon, kahit saan man mapunta ang aking mga anak, pakiusap, hawakan mo sila, protektahan mo sila sa lahat ng panganib at palaging ihatid silang ligtas pauwi,” the veteran actress said to Ian.

To this, the actor responded with, “I love you, ma.”

In her last text, Nora told Ian and their family to take care always.

“Pasensiya na at wala si mommy diyan pag kailangan niyo ako. Gabayan nawa kayo lagi. Kamusta na mga bata? Kiss at hug mo nalang sila, please,” she said.

Elsewhere in the interview, Nora’s other son Kenneth shared regret over the fact that they weren’t with the veteran actress in her final moments.

“Sana andun kami, yakap namin siya, kausap, nasabi ‘yung gustong sabihin. Eto na po ngayon, we just need to accept,” he told Boy.

Ian announced Nora’s passing in a Facebook post late April 16. She died of acute respiratory failure, the son told GMA News 24 Oras.

The National Artist was given a necrological tribute at the Metropolitan Theater and a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on April 22.

Nora was married to veteran actor Christopher De Leon. They have one biological child, Ian, and four adopted children: Lotlot De Leon, Matet De Leon, Kiko, and Kenneth. Their marriage was dissolved in 1996.