Nora Aunor died of acute respiratory failure, says son Ian de Leon (2025)

Apr 19, 2025 11:36 AM PHT

Ian de Leon says that in what was to be his final chat with his mother, she asked him to kiss and hug all her grandchildren and to tell them how much she loved them

MANILA, Philippines – National Artist and Philippine superstar Nora Aunor died of acute respiratory failure, her son Ian de Leon revealed on Friday, April 18.

“Technically and clinically speaking, the cause of death was acute respiratory failure,” he told GMA News’ 24 Oras.

According to the US National Institutes of Health, “acute respiratory failure happens quickly and without much warning” and “often caused by a disease or injury” that affects one’s breathing.

De Leon also shared that his mother was already saying her goodbyes through an online chat.

“Ang pinakahuling message po sa akin, sabi niya sa’ kin: ‘Anak, pakihalik mo ako sa mga apo ko. Hug mo ako sa kanila. Sabihin mo sa kanila na mahal na mahal ko sila,'” he said. “Sabi ko, ‘Ma, ‘wag ka namang ganyan magsalita. Mag-a-outing pa tayo, magbe-birthday ka pa, ‘di ba? Magba-bonding pa tayo.'”

“‘Yun na po yung huling chat namin. Nasabi ko rin sa kanya kung gaano ko siya kamahal, gaano siya kamahal ng mga apo niya, kung gaano siya laging hinahanap gabi-gabi ng mga apo niya at pinagdadasal siya. ‘Yun na po yung pinakahuling usap namin ni Mommy.”

(Her last message to me, she told me, “Son, please kiss my grandchildren and hug them for me. Tell them I love them so much. I said, “Ma, don’t talk that way. We will still have an outing, you’ll still celebrate your birthday, right? We have more bonding to do.” That was our last chat. I also told her how much I love her, how much she was loved by her grandchildren, how they look for her every night and pray for her. That was my final talk with Mommy.)

De Leon, his siblings, and the rest of his family members are bracing for some sort of tribute from the government, given that Aunor is a National Artist and will be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

“Aside from a state funeral that will be conducted on Tuesday, us siblings we’ve spoken to [one another] and we’re asking [one another] any updates from the local government, and so far, we haven’t received anything official from them. If we do, we’ll be sure to let you know,” he told GMA News.

Aunor’s public viewing will last until Sunday, April 20, 4 pm, while her final wake night on Monday, April 21, is reserved for family and friends. – Rappler.com

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