SHARON GETS DREAM INTERVIEW WITH NORA
by Nestor U. Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 28, 1999

IT was a dream interview: the Megastar (Sharon Cuneta) having a one-on-one conversation with the Superstar (Nora Aunor) on Sharon's Sunday program on Channel 2.

In past interviews (with Maricel Soriano, etc.), Sharon had demonstrated a knack for gaining the confidence of her interview subjects, thus making it easier for them to open up and come up with ''true confessions'' that they hadn't shared with the viewing public in previous TV interviews.

Alas, not enough of that transpired last Sunday. After the show was over, we tried to figure out what went awry, and we came up with these notes:

Perhaps one reason was the fact that Sharon was in awe of Nora. She was too overwhelmed by Nora's having agreed to grace her show that she kept praising Nora for all of her real (and some imagined) virtues, thus not giving herself enough time or rigorous focus to really get to know the ''hidden'' Nora, and to share this knowledge with the many viewers--who, even after 30 years, still regard Nora Aunor as an enigma.

Another reason was the fact that Nora has had so much practice at subtly parrying off interviewers' queries about her private life that she was able to dance the tinikling past Sharon's questions respectfully clacking bamboo poles.

The wonder, of course, is how Nora is able to say very little about herself while seeming to say a lot. Practice does make perfect! It's only after the interview was over that the interviewer realizes with dismay that he or she has been left holding a half-empty bag.

Nora, the magician! Applause.

It isn't that Nora wants to make herself enigmatic, and thus constantly mystifying and alluring. She simply can't open up in public as much as media people and the viewing public would want because, if she did tell all, too many people would get hurt, and she doesn't want that to happen.

Also, so many things have happened in her life that she would rather forget, or at least avoid focusing on, because some of them have been quite traumatic, while others are negative events that she herself has instigated, and she isn't up to facing up to the responsibility -- not yet, anyway.

So, she has mastered the art of ''opening up'' without revealing very much. Of course, only a fine actress like her could manage this exquisite ''sleight of heart.''

Thus, with Sharon, Nora ''honestly'' admitted that she had many, many mistakes in life--but didn't provide any details to clarify what she meant!

Even when her son Ian appeared on the show and they cried on each other's shoulder, they didn't say much at all, so viewers were left to conclude that this was a scene of mother-son love and contrition. That, of course, was much too simple and easy a conclusion.

Fact is, when it comes to her relationships with people close to her, Nora has more layers than an onion -- that's why tears (of love, hurt, remorse, confusion, frustration, anger, etc.) come so quickly and fiercely to her and her loved ones' eyes!

At the end of the interview, Sharon said she wanted to be Nora's friend, and Nora agreed. Well, Sharon, welcome to astounding and confounding adventure that could take you years to figure out.

But, come to think of it, since you can be a pretty perky onion yourself, Nora could also be in for quite an incredible adventure herself. But please remember: she's had more practice!