From the streets to the main stage, Iriga City was painted purple last May 21, 2026, as Irigueños, fans, and special guests gathered to celebrate the birthday and honor the life of our one and only National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora Aunor!
The historic day kicked off with a vibrant city-wide motorcade starting from the Iriga City Ceremonial Grandstand, followed by a solemn Mass at the St. Anthony of Padua Parish and Shrine to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the life and legacy of Ate Guy.
By evening, the Iriga City Park came alive with the spectacular Nora Aunor Superstar Variety Show. It was a grand display of world-class Bicolano talent featuring moving performances from the Iriga Saring Tinig Youth Choir, the LGU Folkloric Dance Troupe, and Arriba Iriga Amazing Twirlers. The grand champions of the Bituon Ka Iriga: A Songwriting Tribute, Tigsik Ko Si Ate Guy, Poetry Recital, and the Sing and Look Ala Nora competitions also took the stage to perform their winning pieces as a birthday tribute to the Superstar.
The celebration drew immense support from local leaders, led by Mayor Rex C. Oliva, Vice Mayor Edsel S. Dimaiwat, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, city government department heads, heads of offices, employees, and DTI Camarines Sur Provincial Director Jay Percival S. Ablan. The love for Ate Guy truly knows no bounds, as die-hard Noranians traveled all the way from Metro Manila, Samar, and Leyte, with some even flying in from Calgary, Canada!
The night’s special guest, Mr. Kristoffer Ian Villamayor de Leon, graced the event together with his family. In a deeply touching moment, Mayor Rex and the Sangguniang Panlungsod officially declared Ian de Leon as an Adopted Son of Iriga City. He warmly thanked the city government for the conferment and moved the crowd by sharing personal stories and timeless life lessons he learned from Ate Guy herself.
Another major highlight of the evening was the showcase of the proposed Ate Guy Theatre and Auditorium (AGTA). This visionary landmark is now shortlisted under the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Champions Challenge. AGTA is envisioned as a living legacy to Nora Aunor, designed to advance film tourism, creative industries, and cultural education while solidifying Iriga’s goal of becoming the Bicol Region’s center for arts and culture.
In his message, Mayor Rex C. Oliva expressed his deepest gratitude to everyone who made this maiden celebration a resounding success. He recognized Nora Aunor’s humble beginnings, emphasizing how her grit and determination allowed her to leave an indelible mark on the world stage. With the tremendous support showered upon this first-ever event, Mayor Rex promised an even bigger, bolder, and more vibrant Nora Aunor Day celebration for her birthday next year!
The historic evening also marked an important milestone for organized fandom in the region as the first batch of officers for the newly created Noranians-Iriga-Rinconada Chapter officially took their oath.
Mayor Rex personally led the oath-taking ceremony, solidifying the group’s commitment to keeping the Superstar’s local legacy alive.
Adding to the joy of the evening, the ever-loyal fans of Nora Aunor prepared a delightful special number in her honor. Dressed in colorful Hawaiian attire, they brought a wave of nostalgia to the stage as they danced beautifully to her iconic songs from the Blue Hawaii album, including Pearly Shells and Tiny Bubbles.
To capture the love and unforgettable memories of this historic day, everyone in attendance signed their names and left their heartwarming messages for the Superstar on the official message wall.
Source: Lungsod Ng Iriga