John Rendez: “Nora Aunor Is the Person Who Needs Me the Most”

Manila, Philippines – May 5, 2025 — Longtime friend and collaborator John Rendez has opened up about his deep loyalty to the late Superstar Nora Aunor, stating in a recent interview that he considered her “the person who needed [him] the most.”

Rendez, known both as a rapper and actor, was one of Nora Aunor’s most constant companions in recent decades, often by her side during public appearances, film events, and even private travels. Their closeness had long drawn speculation from fans and observers, but Rendez always maintained that his devotion to Aunor was born out of friendship and respect.

In his heartfelt statement following Aunor’s passing, he shared:

“Ate Guy was not just a superstar to me. She was family. Through all her highs and lows, I stayed because I knew she needed someone who wouldn’t leave. She was the person who needed me the most — and I stayed, not out of duty, but out of love.”

Rendez also dismissed past rumors that he took advantage of Aunor, insisting that their bond was mutual and built over years of trust and shared experience.

Fans of Nora Aunor are now looking back at their enduring friendship with fresh eyes, with many praising Rendez for his quiet loyalty during the latter years of Aunor’s life. A few even suggested that his dedication deserved recognition during the Superstar’s public memorial later this month.

As tributes continue to pour in for the National Artist, John Rendez’s words serve as a reminder that even icons need someone behind the scenes who will stand by them — not for fame or fortune, but simply to be there.

John Rendez considers Nora Aunor as the person who needs him the most

Nora Aunor admits she has done nothing to John Rendez’s career as his manager.

John Rendez on strong bond with Superstar Nora Aunor: “Ako, hindi ko iniisip ang sarili ko. Kasi, gusto kong makita niya na hindi ko siya iiwanan no matter what they say. Not for any purpose, may pera man o wala. Because ano, e… that’s Ate Guy. Loves ko yan, e, di ba? I love her more than I love other people, di ba? Kasi pag magkaibigan, hindi lang salita yan. Nakikita sa gawa, e.”Tatlumpo’t apat (34) na taon nang mina-manage ni Nora Aunor ang career ng kaibigan niyang si John Rendez.Eighteen (18) years old pa lang si John nang umpisahang i-manage ng National Artist at Superstar na si Ate Guy. Ngayon ay fifty-two (52) years old na si John.Sa 70th birthday celebration ni Ate Guy noong Mayo 20, 2023 sa Seda Vertis North Hotel, nawala agad si John at hindi nakapagbigay ng mensahe sa celebrator.

“Shy ako. I’m so shy,” mahinay na sambit ni John noong Agosto 12, Sabado, sa studio ni Edward dela Cuesta sa Sct. Tuason St., Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City.

“Saka kasama ko naman siya palagi. Nakikita naman niya yung ano,” napapangiting pakli ni John.

Hindi tuloy niya narinig ang pakiusap ni Ate Guy sa mga kapamilya at tagasubaybay para mahalin si John.

Narinig ko. It’s OK. It’s her time, it’s her family’s time, ayokong makialam. Ayokong makisingit,” saad ni John.

“Gusto ko, ‘family first’ ako, e. It’s for the family, hindi ako nakikialam sa kanila. I’ll just be at the side.

“I have my own thing also, but you know, we are family naman, e. That’s why I’m always there by the side…”

At least, naayos na ang mga bagay-bagay. Tumulong si John sa pag-o-organize ng nasabing birthday celebration ni Ate Guy.

WHAT CAN JOHN RENDEZ OFFER AS AN ACTOR-SINGER?

Bida si John sa action drama film na Tomacruz… Sa Puso, na iprinodyus ni Nora sa ilalim ng NA Film Productions. Wala itong theatrical release. Binili na raw ito ng GMA-7.

Kasama rin si John sa cast ng horror movie na Ligalig, na tampok sina Nora, Allen Dizon, at Snooky Serna.

Next month ire-release ng Star Music ang bagong single ni John, ang pop/R&B single na “Why Can’t We Ever Get Along” na si John mismo ang sumulat ng lyrics.

Sa Oktubre 30 ay awardee si John sa World Class Excellence Japan (WCEJA) sa New Otan Hotel ng Fukuoka, Japan.

Sa puntong ito ng kanyang showbiz career, marami pa bang maio-offer si John bilang singer-actor?

“Yeah, yeah. I’m still the same person I was 20, 30 years ago. And in fact, I feel like kalalabas ko lang ng kuweba,” lahad ni John.

“Para akong naging ermitanyo, e. But I came out with a lot of i ner wisdom and a lot of self-reflecting, and a lot of plans.

“Okay, we did it this way, and it really messed up. Now we’re going to do it the right way, and we learned it.

“We’re not gonna try something wild and crazy and take a chance. No, that’s how you lose it.

“Let’s do the work, follow the pattern, and eventually you’ll get to where you need to be.

“I believe in the hard work, I believe in the opportunities come to those who deserve it.”

Nanghihinayang ba siya sa lost time? He could have been a bigger star…

Nagkibit-balikat si John sabay turo sa Nasa Itaas, “That’s what God wanted for me to be here.

“Kapag naging iba yung landas, ibang road na ano, probably I wouldn’t be here with the person who needs me the most, di ba?” sabay turo kay Ate Guy.

“Ako, hindi ko iniisip ang sarili ko. Kasi, gusto kong makita niya na hindi ko siya iiwanan no matter what they say.

“Not for any purpose, may pera man o wala. Because ano, e… that’s Ate Guy. Loves ko yan, e, di ba?

“I love her more than I love other people, di ba? Kasi pag magkaibigan, hindi lang salita yan. Nakikita sa gawa, e.”

THE CONSTANT PERSON TO ATE GUY’S LIFE

Sa ups and downs ni Ate Guy for the past 34 years, nanatiling nandiyan ang kaibigan niyang si John. Hindi umano natatanto ng iba kung gaano kalaki ang malasakit ni John sa Superstar, kung gaano siya ka-humane at compassionate.

Napatango si John, “I’m just a good man trying not to be labeled as a bad man, or trying not to turn into a bad man.

“Coz some people are like, ‘Are you a good guy playing a bad guy, or a bad guy portraying a good guy?’

“No. I’m a good guy trying not to be a bad guy, and every day, ‘no. Cuz about myself, some friends, they never think also.

“But I could either be very, very, very good… or very, very, very, very bad. Di ba? I chose to be very, very good, ‘no.

“It could go either way.”

Isinumpa man niyang hindi iiwanan ang kaibigang si Guy, lalo na sa panahong kailangan siya nito, maraming pagkakataon na inaasam ng iba tao na maghiwalay sila.

Napakunot-noo si John, “Sila ang papalit sa akin?! P*t*ng ina nila! G*g* sila! Sorry po… sorry po.”

Kumaway si John sa kanyang manager at ngumiti, “Hindi nila makakasundo si Ate Guy. Iba yun.

“Ako lang ang tumagal. Lahat ng ibang dumating, sumuko sila! ‘Aaaaahhh! Ayokoo naaa!!!’ ‘High blood ako!’”

Iyong super-Noranians na batid ang totoo, mataas ang paggalang kay John.

Ngumiti muli ang singer-actor, “I think in another life, baligtad yung situation. Nagbabayad lang ako ng utang.”

NORA-JOHN FRIENDSHIP

Hindi nakatiis si Ate Guy at nagpaliwanag kung bakit tumagal ang friendship nila ni John.

Pagbabalik-tanaw ni Ate Guy, “Ang NV Productions, kumukuha kasi ng talents noon. Isa yan, si Juan Rodrigo. Tapos kinuha namin si Pip [Tirso Cruz III]. Dapat Marilyn [Villamayo]), pinsan ko.

“Tapos pipirma dapat ng kontrata… actually, pumirma na ng kontrata. Nagkaroon ng gulo iyong production.

“Kasi, nagkaroon ng inggitan. Alam mo naman ang inggitan! So, nasira, nawala yung ano, pinasarado ko ang opisina ng pelikula.

“So naano siya,” pagmuwestra ni Ate Guy kay John, “nadamay siya dun. Ako ang manager niya, e!

“So ang nangyari, may isang kasama ako noon na siniraan siya nang siniraan. “Dahil nakita niya [John], niloloko ako! Iyon ang totoo niyan. So, hindi siya nakatiis noon, isinumbong sa akin.

“E, kaibigan ng mga reporter yun, e… Wah na mention. Kailangan namang mag-isip kayo,” pag-iling ni Ate Guy.

Susog ni John, “There’s no reason to go any further.”

“So, yun lang naman,” kikay na pagkibit-balikan ng Superstar.

Sa tinagal-tagal ni Ate Guy sa showbiz, maraming nanloko sa kanya.

Napatango ang Superstar at malumanay na nagturan, “Sobra po.”

Nagtanim ba siya ng sama ng loob sa mga nanloko sa kanya?

Mabilis na umiling si Ate Guy, “Kahit ano pa, andun na yun, e. Nangyari na. Sila naman ang magdadala nun.”

Aminado si Ate Guy sa pagkukulang niya bilang manager ni John.

Aniya, “Dumating sa amin si John, 18 years pa lang. Ganun na katagal. Biro mo yung tagal na yun, wala man lang akong naitulong, di ba?

“Ano na siya ngayon? 52? Biruin mo, 18 years old hanggang 52 years old. Walang nagawa yung NA Productions, so nagi-guilty rin ako.”

Napatunayan niya ang loyalty ni John sa kanya?