Top 10 films of Nora Aunor: Philippine cinema icon

'Superstar' Nora Aunor, one of the most beloved figures in Philippine cinema, has passed away. Her death was confirmed by her children in posts on social media. She was 71.

She appeared in over 200 film and television projects — many of them now considered classics - and earned dozens of acting awards throughout her career.

Here’s a list of 10 of Nora Aunor’s top films, showcasing her legendary range and impact on Philippine cinema.

Himala (1982)
Theme: Faith, fanaticism, and social hysteria
Aunor plays Elsa, a woman who claims to have seen the Virgin Mary in a poverty-stricken village. It won Best Film and Best Actress for Aunor, among other awards, and became the first Filipino film to be included in the Berlin International Film Festival's competition.

Bona (1980)
Theme: Obsession, class disparity
As the devoted fan of a struggling actor, Aunor delivers a raw performance in this story of unreciprocated love and social exploitation.

Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976)
Theme: War, survival, morality
Set during the Japanese occupation, Aunor plays a schoolteacher torn by war, personal trauma, and complex loyalties.

Thy Womb (2012)

Theme: Motherhood, sacrifice, indigenous culture
Set in the Badjao community, Aunor is a barren midwife who selflessly seeks a second wife for her husband to bear a child. The film earned three prizes by Italian film groups — La Navicella Venezia Cinema Award, the P. Nazareno Taddei Award and the Bisato d' Oro Award for Best Actress (for Aunor).

Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984)
Theme: Injustice, women’s rights, survival
Aunor plays a pregnant woman jailed for a crime of passion, shedding light on the plight of female inmates in a flawed justice system.

Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976)
Theme: Colonialism, family, identity
Aunor portrays a Filipina nurse dreaming of the American life, only to face tragedy and cultural reckoning when her brother is killed by U.S. soldiers.

The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995)
Theme: Justice, diaspora, national trauma
A heartbreaking retelling of the real-life case of a Filipino domestic worker executed in Singapore. Aunor’s powerful performance made it a landmark political drama.

Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. (1991)
Theme: Poverty, motherhood, mercy killing
Aunor plays a bar singer facing a moral and emotional dilemma as she decides whether to let her daughter, in a coma, die peacefully.

Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1979)
Theme: Family, betrayal, generational conflict
This intimate drama explores a mother-daughter relationship tested by secrets and the betrayal of love.

Fe, Esperanza, Caridad (1974)
Theme: Women’s struggles, societal roles
An anthology film with Aunor in all three title roles, each depicting different women confronting their personal and societal battles.