Joel Lamangan Remembers Nora Aunor Silent Act of Kindness to a Farmer in Need
NORA AUNOR – Director Joel Lamangan revealed that the late Nora Aunor once quietly helped a grieving farmer by giving him money to buy a new carabao.
Acclaimed director Joel Lamangan recently paid tribute to the late superstar Nora Aunor, not just for her remarkable talent, but for the compassion and quiet generosity she often extended behind the scenes.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Lamangan shared a touching memory from the set of the film Sidhi, in which Aunor played a mute character. During a lunch break, Aunor noticed an elderly farmer sitting alone under a mango tree. Concerned, she approached him and asked why he looked so sad. The farmer explained that his carabao had died, leaving him with no means to plow his field.
Moved by his story, Aunor asked how much a new carabao would cost. When the farmer said it would be around P15,000—an amount he couldn’t afford—she quietly called her assistant, handed over the money, and gave it to the man. “‘Ito tulong ko sa inyo, bumili kayo ng bagong kalabaw,” she told him, “huwag niyong ipagsabi na galing sa akin.”
Lamangan said this was just one of many instances of Aunor’s generosity. He revealed that she also frequently offered financial help to underpaid members of the production staff—always without fanfare or expectation of recognition.
Lamangan said she helped not for show, but because she genuinely cared, adding that her humility matched her brilliance as an actress.
As the director of Hustisya, another film featuring Aunor, Lamangan emphasized how deeply she touched the lives of those she worked with—not only through her art but through her humanity. He concluded his tribute by celebrating the unmatched legacy of “Ate Guy,” a true icon who lived with empathy and grace.
Nora Aunor may be gone, but her kindness, just like her unforgettable performances, continues to inspire.
READ ALSO: Tirso Cruz III Honors Legacy of Late Screen Partner Nora Aunor W/ Touching Tribute