MANILA, Philippines – Days after National Artist and Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, her daughter Lotlot de Leon reflected on her gratitude and grief in a touching letter addressed to her late mother. 

In an Instagram post on Friday, April 25, Lotlot shared a black and white childhood photo of her hugging her mother. In the letter, Lotlot promised to care for her siblings Matet, Ian, Kiko, and Kenneth, as well as Aunor’s grandchildren.

“Ma, alam mo po I find myself talking to you everyday.. at alam ko nakikinig ka. Nasabi ko na din naman sayo lahat mommy.. at alam ko din na ang bilin mo sa akin ay ang mga kapatid ko at mga apo mo. Yung tinuro mo sa akin na maging matatag sinusubukan ko po talagang gawin,” Lotlot wrote.

(Ma, you know, I find myself talking to you every day… and I know you’re listening. I’ve already told you everything, Mommy… and I also know that your reminder to me was to take care of my siblings and your grandchildren. I’m really trying to do what you taught me — to be strong.)

“Ma, maraming nagmamahal sayo. Sobra! Sana nakikita nyo po yun. They all showed up for you and our family and kame na mga anak mo sobrang grateful po,” Lotlot added, thankful for the constant support of her loyal fans, the Noranians.

(Ma, so many people love you. So much! I hope you can see that. They all showed up for you and for our family, and we, your children, are so very grateful.)

Lotlot, in her letter, spoke about how her family is trying to stay strong, just as their mother had taught them. Through this, she also said that it has united her and her siblings even more.

“Si Ian, Matet, Kiko, Ken at ako. Basta look after us always ma.. alam ko hindi mo kame pababayaan sa bawat desision na gagawin naming magkakapatid. At lalo pa kame nagkakaisa dahil sayo. And we promise to take care of your legacy, Ma, kame ng mga kapatid ko” Lotlot wrote.

(Ian, Matet, Kiko, Ken, and me. Please look after us always, Ma… I know you won’t leave us in every decision we siblings have to make. And because of you, we’ve become even more united. And we promise to take care of your legacy, Ma… us, your children.)

“Rest easy ma. Your daughter forever,  Lot,” she ended her post, followed by a white heart emoji.

Despite their deep bond, the Aunor-De Leon family has had its share of rifts, many of which became public over the years.

One of the most notable was Nora’s absence from Lotlot’s 2018 wedding to Lebanese businessman Fadi El Soury. It came a decade after Lotlot’s annulment from actor Ramon Christopher Gutierrez. But whatever differences they may have had in their “not perfect” relationship, Lotlot said their bond was full of love and forgiveness.

During Nora’s 70th birthday celebration in May 2023, all five of her children — Ian, Matet, Kiko, Ken, and Lotlot — were present.

“There are a lot of people who don’t understand our personal life with our mom. But we learned to forgive, that’s what our mom showed us,” Ian said during the wake.

“As a person, a lot of people can testify to my mom’s generosity, not just with her craft, but in everything. And that’s why she’s really loved by plenty. She’s genuine, sweet to everyone, the way she helps others also,” Lotlot said.

“We just try our best. We will never be able to match her work. No one will be able to match her work. She’s the only Superstar.”

Nora was laid to rest in a state funeral on Tuesday, April 22, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. She died from acute respiratory failure on April 16. – Rappler.com