I can’t help but feel deep sadness for the Villamayor-De Leon children following the passing of the legendary Nora Aunor. While the nation mourns the loss of a true superstar, her children—Lotlot, Ian, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth—are quietly navigating the pain of losing their mother. Unfortunately, some people have been quick to judge and speak ill, particularly toward Lotlot and Matet, based on old family issues and misunderstandings about the nature of Nora’s illness.

Let’s clear a few things up. First, whatever unresolved issues Nora may have had with her children were already mended during her 70th birthday celebration in 2023. That event was not just a public tribute to her enduring legacy, but also a moment of personal healing and reconnection between her and her children. Second, Nora was very private about the seriousness of her condition. She chose not to burden her children with the weight of her illness, a decision rooted in love, not secrecy or neglect. She didn’t want them to worry. That alone speaks volumes about her selflessness as a mother.

It’s painful to see how, even while her children are still grieving, some people are quick to throw hurtful words their way. Grief is a deeply personal journey, and the least we can do as outsiders is to respect their space and show some compassion. The spotlight has always followed them because of who their mother was, but we need to remember—they are human beings first, not just public figures.

The criticisms don’t stop with the children. Nora herself was not spared, with people accusing her of being an absentee parent, of prioritizing fame over family. It’s an unfair narrative. While it’s true that life was complicated and fame often came with a heavy price, we must also acknowledge how her children, particularly Lotlot, rose to the occasion. At a young age, Lotlot stepped up, becoming both mother and father figure to her siblings. She held the family together and cultivated a strong bond among them—a bond they cherish to this day.

Another point often overlooked is the love Nora had for all her children, biological or not. The four non-biological children—Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth—were chosen by her heart. Ian may have come from her womb, but they all came from her love. Nora made no distinctions, and the love they shared transcended bloodlines. In fact, many families with biological ties struggle to maintain the kind of connection that the Villamayor-De Leon siblings have managed to preserve.

It’s heartbreaking to see people discredit the non-biological children by saying they are “nothing without Nora.” That’s not only disrespectful, it’s also untrue. These individuals are living testaments to the kind of mother Nora was—one who gave her all, despite her imperfections.

Let’s be kind. We may have lost an icon, but they lost a mother. And that kind of loss deserves our compassion, not our criticism.

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