MANILA, Philippines -- With all the hardships she experienced while
living in the United States for eight years, the country's superstar Nora Aunor is confident that she will be able to survive everything that
will come in her way.
"Kahit saan mo ako pahigain, kahit saan mo ako ilagay, wala. Hindi
ako pwedeng matakot doon dahil sanay po ako diyan," Aunor said in an
interview with broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez on "Rated K" that
aired on Sunday.
Aunor revealed that when she was living abroad, there times when she couldn't even afford to buy food and pay for her laundry.
"Lahat ng kahirapan naranasan ko. Alam ko na 'yon. Maniniwala ka, may
araw na hindi ka kumakain kasi nawalan ako ng trabaho. Walang kumukuha
sa akin para mag-show kaya walang kita. Hindi naman ako makauwi dahil
hindi ko alam ang magiging reaksyon ng tao sa akin pag-uwi ko, kung
mahal pa din nila ako. Siyempre hindi na din tayo bata lalo't madami ng
bata na artista," she said.
"Nangyari din sa akin na humingi ako ng tulong, minsan maglalaba kami
eh nagkulang kami ng 25 cents buti na lang may Pilipino doon binigyan
ako ng 25 cents," Aunor said.
But the veteran actress said she never felt angry about her unfortunate experience in the United States.
"Hindi ako nagagalit. Unang una diyan ako nanggaling, nasa probinsiya
kami talagang ako ang nagtatrabaho para matulungan ang pamilya ko para
mabuhay. Sanay na sanay (ako sa hirap)," she added.
Losing the golden voice
As part of her preparations for her showbiz comeback in the country,
Aunor underwent a cosmetic enhancement treatment that turned into a
nightmare after a botched procedure in Japan allegedly affected her
singing voice
"Umiyak ako. Pagkagising ko sigaw ako ng sigaw pero wala akong
naririnig sa boses ko. Ang explanation sa akin lilinisin ang lungs ko
dahil sa sobrang sigarilyo. Sabi ko imposible dahil ang tagal ko nang
naninigarilyo pero hindi nagkaganito ang boses ko, ngayon lang.
Nagkamali po talaga," Aunor said.
The "Thy Womb" actress revealed she still cries whenever she watch other singers perform.
"Naiiyak ako. Sinasabi ko sa sarili ko kailan kaya ulit ako babalik
sa pagkanta. Ngayon naimbitahan ako para magbigay lang ng award, hindi
kakanta," she said.
The award-winning actress said if given a chance she would really want to sing again.
"Hindi pwedeng hindi. Kung hindi ako nakapagpa-opera noong last year
na dapat ay schedule ko, ngayon kapag umalis ulit ako talagang 'yun ang
gagawin ko na," vowed Aunor, who is planning to have a big concert after
she regains her singing voice.
Right now, Aunor admitted that she is still having a hard time spending quality time with her children -- Lotlot, Ian and Matet.
She said she's just happy that her children still respect her.
"Sa ngayon palaging masaya, sabi nila basta happy ka, kahit marami kang problema, madadala na 'yon. Pero ang nagpapasaya ay ang mga anak at pamilya," she added.
Apart from "Thy Womb," Aunor is also appearing in the film "El Presidente," which is another entry to this year's Metro Manila Film Festival.
Her classic film "Himala" has also been restored and will be shown again in theaters next month to mark its 30th year since it was released.
