Before Nora Aunor’s death, one of the last films she worked on was "Pieta," which was produced by actor Alfred Vargas.
In the film, Aunor played Rebecca Bernabe, a blind old woman with Alzheimer's disease who struggles to recall her son. The film received recognition at the 2024 Ima Wa Ima Asian Film Festival Entertainment Awards, 72nd Famas Awards, and 3rd WuWei Taipei International Film Festival.
Vargas credited the Superstar in his previous interview with ABS-CBN News for his win as best actor for the film, saying: “Ang laki ng ginawa niya for me para magawa ko talaga ‘yung karakter ko na pinakamaganda. She never made me feel uncomfortable. Inalalayan niya rin ako sa blocking, sa eksena. Feeling ko hindi ako mananalo ng award kung hindi dahil kay Ate Guy.”
Recently, Vargas paid respect to the National Artist by sharing a clip from "Pieta," describing it as a "painful but loving scene at the same time."
He wrote, “This scene was taken from one of Ate Guy's last ever films, PIETA. I played, Isaac, her long 'lost' son. When Isaac finally returned home he was greeted by a mother who couldn't remember anything anymore. Instead of surprising his mother, he ended up the one being surprised... for the wrong reasons. Pieta is a story about love, family, truth, mistakes and forgiveness. This was a painful but loving scene at the same time. Painful because Rebecca, Nora Aunor's character, the mother of Isaac, couldn't recognize her son at all. Loving because she still showed how much she cared for and loved her son despite the incomprehensible situation.”
Praising Aunor, Vargas added, “Ate Guy, working with you has been one of the greatest honors of my life. As an actor and as a human being, you have touched my heart. You have taught me so much without saying anything and you have inspired me tremendously by mentoring me through our scenes together. PIETA will always be one of the most special and favorite films l've done my entire life because of you.”
He continued, “The most important lesson I learned from you is that: TRUE STARS SHINE BECAUSE OF THEIR HUMILITY AND GENEROSITY IN EVERYTHING THEY DO AND WHOEVER THEY MEET. Sa’yo ko naramdaman ito nang sobra, Ate Guy.”
Vargas concluded his tribute message by thanking the late actress. “Maraming salamat dahil tinanggap mo ako sa puso mo at nagkaroon ako ng chance to work at makilala ang ONE AND ONLY SUPERSTAR that we will ever have! Rest in peace, Ate Guy. Mahal na mahal kita.”
The actor-producer also announced free screenings of "Pieta" as a tribute to the superstar.
“As a tribute to our one and only SUPERSTAR, I’m planning to show PIETA in select SM Cinemas nationwide, for free, later this year. Para mapanood ng Noranians ang isa sa mga pinakahuling obra ni Ms. Nora Aunor.”
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