MANILA, Philippines — Veteran actress Lotlot de Leon denied accusations that she and her siblings were after the estate of the late Nora Aunor, saying she was forced to speak out after brother Ian de Leon discussed family issues and inheritance concerns in a television interview aired Friday.
Lotlot became emotional during the story conference for the upcoming film "40 Days," directed by Louie Ocampo and starring Dina Bonnevie, Snooky Serna, Elizabeth Oropesa as well as son, Diego Gutierrez, among many others.
Ironically, the cast had been discussing grief — a major theme of the film — when Lotlot, already in tears, admitted it had been a difficult day following Ian's appearance on "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda."
Before addressing the family controversy, Lotlot shared her thoughts on coping with loss more than a year after Nora's death.
"Grieving is today you're sad, maybe tomorrow you're okay. The following day, maybe you're just happy remembering the person you love and all the beautiful memories. It comes in waves. You just try to live one day at a time," she said.
She added that there are still moments when she forgets her mother is gone.
"Sometimes I think about Mom and I forget she's gone. Then you snap back and remember she's no longer there," she said.
The conversation soon turned personal as Lotlot apologized to her co-stars and production team before airing her frustrations.
"I'd like to apologize to my co-actors, to Direk and everyone here. Today is just not a good day for me," she said.
Lotlot revealed that she and Ian have not spoken for a year.
"Ian and I have not spoken in one year. So many things have been said about me and about my two brothers. I have never said anything because I still respect my mother and our father," she said.
Her remarks came hours after Ian explained on national television the purpose of the One-Person Corporation he established to manage projects related to Nora's legacy. According to Ian, the corporation oversees the for-profit Nora Aunor Enterprise and the non-profit Nora Aunor Foundation, which would receive a portion of the proceeds from future concerts, exhibits, documentaries and other projects honoring the National Artist.
Ian also addressed criticism from siblings who claimed they had not been consulted.
"This was still a concept during that time and I wanted them to be involved with the plans that I have to continue Mom's legacy. I told them I would pursue this. I'm willing for everyone to be onboard," Ian said on the program.
He further maintained that discussions regarding the initiative had taken place previously and that family misunderstandings were not unusual.
"People have to understand that family units have their own. I would let time take its own course," Ian said.
But Lotlot strongly disputed those claims.
"He never told us. He never shared anything with us. Wala siyang sinabi, wala siyang kinuwento (He never said anything to us. He never told us about it)," she said.
The actress also rejected claims that inheritance was the major reason of the conflict.
"Let me be clear. I am not after any inheritance. Whether it's one peso or nothing at all, I can work and support myself. I've worked hard all my life," she said.
Lotlot disclosed that shortly after Nora's death, she privately approached Ian about the possibility of sharing properties left behind by their mother.
"If you're willing to share the properties of Mom with us, thank you. If not, that's okay too," she recalled telling him.
She stressed that the conversation was not for her benefit but out of concern for their other siblings.
According to Lotlot, she also previously proposed establishing a foundation dedicated to continuing Nora's charitable work and had invited Ian to participate.
"The legacy of Mom is helping people. That's what I wanted to continue. I was even willing to look for the funds needed to build the foundation," she said.
She claimed Ian initially declined involvement but later publicly questioned the foundation despite allegedly knowing about it.
"That was where I got hurt because he knew. He knew everything," she said.
During his interview, Ian likewise sought to dispel rumors that the family dispute is on inheritance.
"Things take time. It's not like your mother passes today and the next week there's already an inheritance," he said, noting that legal procedures must first be completed.
He also assured viewers that he intended to be fair to his siblings and insisted that his efforts were focused on preserving her mother's legacy.
"This is not for me. It's for Mom. Just because she passed away doesn't mean her legacy would end there," Ian said.
For Lotlot, however, the issue was no longer about property or control but about setting the record straight.
"Enough with the lies. We have been quiet, but I will not allow this anymore," she said through tears.
Despite her anger, Lotlot emphasized that neither she nor her siblings were contesting Ian's position as Nora's only biological child.
"He can have it all," she said.
"For me, it's enough that I was able to call Nora Aunor my mother. It's enough that I was raised by a superstar,” she added.
Aunor, widely regarded as one of Philippine cinema's greatest actresses and later honored as a National Artist, died on April 16, 2025, at age 71.
She has five children with her ex-husband, actor Christopher de Leon. They have one biological son, Ian, and four adopted children: Lotlot, Matet, Kiko and Kenneth.
