Nora Aunor, the esteemed Filipino actress, faced significant health challenges in the months leading up to her passing. She was hospitalized multiple times due to severe respiratory issues. In a notable incident, she experienced a critical drop in oxygen levels, leading to her being rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, there was a delay in administering oxygen, resulting in her being unconscious for approximately three minutes. Upon regaining consciousness in the ICU, she reflected on this as a miraculous moment, suggesting that perhaps her purpose in life was not yet fulfilled

Despite these health setbacks, Nora continued to work on new projects and reconciled with her family, demonstrating her resilience and dedication to her craft . She was honored as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, solidifying her status as a legendary performer

Her passing on April 16, 2025, at the age of 71, was a significant loss to the Philippine entertainment industry. She was surrounded by her children in her final moments, and her death was attributed to acute respiratory failure following an angioplasty procedure .​

Ian de Leon reads out last message he received from Nora Aunor

Ian de Leon has shared the final message he received from his late mother, Nora Aunor.

In Monday’s episode of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda, broadcast live from Heritage Park in Taguig, Ian revealed that the Superstar’s last message to him was a heartfelt prayer reflecting a mother’s deep love for her children and grandchildren.

Reading directly from his phone, Ian shared:

“Panginoon, kahit saan man mapunta ang aking mga anak, pakiusap, hawakan Mo sila, protektahan Mo sila sa lahat ng panganib at palaging ihatid silang ligtas pauwi.”
(“Lord, wherever my children may go, please hold them, protect them from all danger, and always bring them home safely.”)

Ian responded to the message simply but meaningfully:

“I love you, Ma.”

In return, Nora Aunor told him to always take care and to send her love to her grandchildren:

“Mag-iingat kayo lagi ha, lalo na ang mga bata. Pasensya na at wala si Mommy diyan pag kailangan niyo ako. Gabayan nawa kayo lagi. Kamusta na ang mga bata? Kiss at hug mo na lang ako sa kanila. Please. Salamat, ingatan nawa lagi. God bless.”
(“Take care always, especially the kids. I’m sorry that Mommy can’t be there when you need me. May you always be guided. How are the kids? Give them a kiss and hug from me, please. Thank you, may you always be safe. God bless.”)

Just like Ian, Lotlot de Leon also shared details about her final conversation with their mother. She recalled:

“In our last conversation, Tito Boy, I was calling and insisting on speaking to Mommy’s doctor. I told them, ‘Include us. We are her children. Let us know what’s happening so we can help if there’s anything we can do.’”

Lotlot said her persistence eventually reached Nora, who then sent her a reassuring message:

“She told me, ‘Anak, I’m okay. The doctor told me you wanted to talk. Don’t worry about me, anak, I can handle it.’ And then she added, ‘I’m so proud of my grandchildren. I love you all very much—your siblings and you.’”

As an obedient daughter, Lotlot respected her mother’s wishes:

“So in our last conversation, I said, ‘Okay Ma, I respect your wishes.’ I didn’t want her to get upset with us, because she knew I was persistent. I was constantly following up with her doctors and doing whatever I could to find out what was going on.”

Nora Aunor passed away on April 16 at the age of 71. According to her son Ian, she died of acute respiratory failure.

The acclaimed actress was honored as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. Some of her most iconic films—Himala, Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo, and Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos—can still be streamed online.

In the wake of her passing, numerous celebrities and fans took to social media to pay tribute to her enduring legacy.

A state necrological service will be held for her at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on Tuesday, April 22, followed by a state funeral at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.