Charo Santos Opens Up About Her Journey as a Proud Noranian
CHARO SANTOS – Actress Charo Santos-Concio reflects on her journey as a devoted Noranian, sharing how Nora Aunor’s influence shaped her passion for the entertainment industry.
Charo Santos-Concio honored National Artist Nora Aunor during her eulogy at the state funeral of the “Superstar,” held earlier today at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
In her speech, Charo shared that she had been a devoted Noranian even before entering the world of show business. “Walang himala. Pero mayroong nag-iisang Nora. Ang kanyang tunay na buhay ay isang pagpapaptunay na walang imposible. Kahit para sa isang bata na nagtitinda ng tubig at mani sa riles ng tren.
“Ang kanyang tunay na buhay ay nasalamin sa buhay nina Elsa, Corazon, Delia, Flor Contemplacion, at marami pang iba. But Nora Aunor was even bigger than all her roles.
“Higit pa sa mga karakter na kanyang binigyan ng buhay, binigyan niya ng buhay ang pangarap ng milyung-milyong Pilipino.”
Charo shared that it was Nora who inspired her to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
“Kahit saang probinsya ka man manggaling, ano mang hirap mo, Nora gave millions of Filipinos the most important gift — hope, pag-asa.
“‘Kung kaya ni Ate Guy, kaya ko rin.’
“Kabilang ako sa mga Pilipino na nakita ang sarili nila kay Nora. Una kung nakita si Nora sa telebisyon sa ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan.’ Noon pa man, nabighani na ako sa kanyang boses at sa kanyang presensya, sa kanyang ganda.
“Hindi pa man alam ng bansa na siya ay magiging isang phenomenon, to me, she was not just a star, she was our ‘Superstar.’ Siya noon ay 14 years old, ako ay magdodose pa lang, at tulad niya, isa din akong probinsyana.”
Charo mentioned that she proudly considered herself part of Nora’s devoted “bakya crowd” of fans.
“May mga fans na umaakyat ng bakod, hinihimatay. Nag-aalay ng kwintas ng sampaguita hanggang wala nang makita sa leeg ni Nora.
“We were called the bakya crowd and we were proud of it dahil may ‘Superstar’ kami na isa sa amin.
“Philippine showbiz has never seen that level of adulation until Nora came and never again after Nora. Ganu’n pa man, si Ate Guy ay nanatiling simpleng probinsyana at heart.”
To Charo, Nora is “genuine, unfiltered, and true—she doesn’t just act; she embodies and transforms into her roles.”
“Hindi lang siya artista, siya ay alagad ng sining. May lalim, may tapang, may puso. It was part of her process, her magic, her madness.
“Alam mong may pinaguhugutan, may lungkot, may apoy, may madness. But within that madness, there was genius. And when she is in her element, when the camera starts rolling, she is unstoppable.
“‘Himala’ was very memorable for us. Isa ito sa piling-piling projects ng Experimental Cinema of the Philippines noon. At ito rin ang kauna-unahang pelikulang ni-restore ng Sagip Pelikula ng ABS-CBN.
“Award-winning ang mga roles at pelikula ng ating minamahal.”
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