Richard Merk and Nora Aunor: A Love Story of Music and Art
In the Philippine entertainment industry, the love story between Richard Merk and Nora Aunor stands as one of the most romantic and artistically rich tales. The couple married on July 7, 1988, in Las Vegas, USA. Although their marriage lasted only about three years and was never formally dissolved through divorce, their relationship remains fondly remembered.
Before becoming husband and wife, Richard and Nora were close friends and artistic collaborators. Richard Merk, known for his deep and soulful jazz voice, supported and inspired Nora Aunor—who would later become a cultural icon of the Philippines.
However, their married life was not without its challenges. The pressures of fame, demanding schedules, and differing personal values gradually created distance between them. Though they didn’t make it to the end, their love story remains a testament to the harmony of romance and artistry. To this day, both are remembered as great talents who once touched each other’s hearts under the dazzling lights of the stage.
Richard Merk, humingi ng tawad sa mga labi ni Nora Aunor
“I left her without saying goodbye.”
Isiniwalat ni Richard Merk ang dahilan ng malungkot na hiwalayan nila ni Superstar Nora Aunor. Aniya, “I apologized so much to her…Kasi, I left her without saying goodbye.”
Mahigit tatlong taon ang relasyon noon nina Richard Merk at National Artist Nora Aunor.
Noong July 7, 1988, matapos nilang manood ng concert ni Tom Jones sa Las Vegas, Nevada, biglang niyaya raw ng Superstar si Richard na magpakasal.
Nag-“okay” naman ang jazz singer, na mas kilala ng publiko bilang Richard Merck.
HOW RICHARD MERK AND NORA AUNOR PARTED WAYS
Paano nabago ang kanilang relasyon noong kasal na sila? Mas naging secure ba sila sa isa’t isa? Pakiwari nila’y forever na ang kanilang pagmamahalan? Plinano ba nilang tumanda together?
“Well, yes,” seryosong sagot ni Richard. “Totoo, may plano kami.”
Sinabi ni Richard ito ay sa exclusive interview ng PEP Troika sa lamay ni Ate Guy noong Biyernes Santo, Abril 18, 2025, sa Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig City.
“Kaya lang, ako ang magulo, e. Ako yung magulo,” pagpapatuloy niya.
“That’s why I stood up kanina pa in front of her. I apologized so much to her.
“Talagang, ‘Forgive me if I’ve hurt you in the past.’ Kasi, I left her without saying goodbye.
“And I moved out of the house. I stayed in the house of Butch Dans for two months.
“And then Butch told me, ‘I have a monsignor uncle in Fairview. Good Shepherd Church. Baka gusto mong tumira doon.’
“I said, ‘Yes.’ Two years ako doon. Two years ako doon sa church. That stopped everything.”
Si Butch ay isang OPM talent manager na siyang tumulong sa pagsikat ng Apo Hiking Society.
Humingi si Richard Merk ng paumanhin sa mga labi ni Nora Aunor dahil sa biglaan niyang pag-alis noon. Ni hindi na rin niya matandaan kung kelan nangyari.
“Iyon ang pinakaano, e, tingin ko na nagawa kong pagkukulang—na umalis akong walang paalam,” pagsisiwalat ni Richard.
The wake for Nora Aunor will be open to the public until April 20, 2025.
Photo/s: Jerry Olea
“At never ko na siyang… hindi na ako nakipagkita kahit kailan.
“Ngayon lang ulit. Ako na lang ang nakakakita.”
Nag-attempt ba siyang makipagkita?
Umiling si Richard, “No.”
RICHARD MERK ON NORA AUNOR: NO CLOSURE
Hindi na siya nagplanong makipag-usap para magkaroon ng closure ang kanilang hiwalayan?
Natigilan saglit si Richard bago siya sumagot, “Hindi na.”
May kani-kanya na silang buhay kapagkuwan.
“Yes, and also, iba iyung pagsasama namin kasi, e. Mula bata, e. Puppy love ko siya, e,” pagtatapat ni Richard.
“Nung bata ako, e. I was 10, she was 12. Two years ang tanda niya sa akin. So she’s turning 72 sana this May 21. Ako, I’m turning 70 sa October.
“So ayaw ko na siyang istorbohin.”
Pero nasa puso ba niyang baka pupuwede pa sana sila? Sumagi ba iyon sa isip niya?
“No, because I got married.”
Si Roni Tapia ang naging misis ni Richard. Noong 2019 ay pumanaw ito.
JERRY OLEA
Iyong life together na pinagplanuhan nila ni Nora Aunor, sa abroad ba o dito sa Pilipinas?
“Dito. Ako yung nasa likod lang. That’s why, time came when I was looking for myself, kasi lahat ng nasa isip ko, siya. Siya.”
Mahirap bang karelasyon si Nora Aunor noong kasikatan niya? Superstar siya. Andaming factors at variables.
“Hindi. Okay lang. Okay lang naman na parang ayaw ko na siyang istorbohin!” bulalas ni Richard.
“If you remember, kababata ko ito, e. Kilala ko ito, e. Kababata ko ito. Nagtayo kami ng combo noong araw sa Nichols…
“Kasama namin si Perla Adea sa banda. And ang layo ng pinagsamahan namin.
“Nagtrabaho pa ako sa kanya, sa opisina as a boy, tagawalis. Sa NCV, sa Samanillo Building sa Escolta, binigyan niya ako ng trabaho.”
Yung mga panahong yun ay 1970s. Kung gayon, mahal talaga siya ni Nora?
Paglilinaw ni Richard: “Hindi. Lumapit ako sa kanya, e. Sabi ko, wala akong trabaho.
“Sabi niya, ‘Sige, punta ka sa Samanillo, 5th floor, NCV Productions.”
Monthly ang suweldo niya?
“Minimum wage. PHP220.”
Ano ang nagustuhan sa kanya ni Nora? Iyong talent niya?
“That’s a very good question. Even I am asking.”
Hindi sila tatagal ng more than three years kung one-sided love lang, di ba?
“That’s a hard question to answer.”
Ano ang na-i-provide niya kay Nora?
“My talent. My talent, my love. Hindi ako nambabae, e. Ang mga ideas ko, lahat, para sa kanya,” sambit ni Richard.
“May isa pa akong pelikula, Ang Babae sa Dalampasigan. Ayaw din niya. Nakasulat lahat iyon.
“Then I coach her. I would choose [the song]. Sasabihin niya, ‘What song do you think ang bagay sa akin that you can coach me with?’
“So I said, ‘Why don’t you sing ‘What Now, My Love?’ Kasi maganda. So ni-rearrange ko. Very haunting yung kanta, e…”
Knowing Ate Guy, kahit iniwan siya ni Richard nang walang paalam, parang hindi naman ito nagtanim ng sama ng loob sa kanya.
“Hindi. Hindi naman siya nagtatanim talaga. Guy has a very good heart, not only for me, but for everyone,” saad ni Richard.
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