Marcos shouldered National Artist Nora Aunor's hospital bills—Malacañang
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Office of the President paid for National Artist Nora Aunor's hospital bills, Malacañang confirmed on April 27.
In a message to reporters, including The Philippine STAR, Presidential Communications Office senior undersecretary Analisa Puod said that Marcos and the OP shouldered the expenses.
"'Di lang 'yung hospital bill 'yan. Pati ibang utang at ibang expenses daw galing sa personal na pera ni PBBM 'yan," she said as per GMA News, adding that the bill was paid under the hospitalization benefits for National Artists.
The amount was not disclosed by the Palace.
Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attended Aunor's wake on April 21. He also declared April 22 a day of national mourning over the veteran actress' passing.
Aunor was proclaimed a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in June 2022 after years of clamor.
As a National Artist, she earns some honors and privileges, including medical and hospitalization benefits not exceeding P750,000 per year, as per the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Other benefits for living awardees are a minimum cash award of P200,000 net of taxes, a minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of P50,000, coverage by a life insurance policy by the Government Service Insurance System or private insurance companies, and a state funeral—the arrangements for and expenses of which "shall be borne by the government" upon their death.
Aunor was honored with a state funeral and necrological service at the Metropolitan Theater on April 22. The tribute program saw fellow National Artists Ricky Lee, Ryan Cayabyab, Alice Reyes, and Ramon Santos offering her flowers. Medi
She was buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Aunor died at the age of 71 on April 16. Her son Ian de Leon told GMA News' 24 Oras that the veteran actress died of acute respiratory failure.
Known as the "Superstar of Philippine Cinema," Aunor became known for the films Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo (1976), Himala (1982), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), and Thy Womb (2012).
During her five-decade career in acting, Aunor got over 200 acting nominations and awards here and elsewhere, the most for an actor in the Philippines. She was nominated at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences or FAMAS Awards a record 17 times. She was also bestowed the Gawad CCP for Film and Broadcast Arts by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2015. Her acting prowess was also recognized abroad, including in Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America, while her singing talent bagged her several Awit Awards and Philippine Recording Distributors Association Awards.
Aunor 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.
