In a tragic twist that reads almost like a screenplay, the Philippine entertainment industry has lost two legendary figures within just two months. Following the death of the beloved Superstar and National Artist Nora Aunor in April 2025, her close friend and former onscreen partner, Cocoy Laurel, passed away on June 14, 2025, at the age of 72.
Now, Nora’s daughter, actress Lotlot de Leon, has broken her silence—sharing an emotional tribute to the man she affectionately called Tito Cocoy, whose final gesture to her late mother has left the nation deeply moved.
🎠A Bond Beyond the Screen
Cocoy Laurel, a prominent figure in Philippine cinema and theater, was more than just a co-star to Nora Aunor. Their connection spanned decades, from their days of shared stardom to a friendship that endured long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Lotlot de Leon, who had long considered Cocoy part of their extended family, took to social media to mourn his passing and share a story that has touched hearts across the country.
“Such sad news to learn of the passing of my dearest Tito Cocoy,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.
🎨 A Final Visit, A Final Gift
Lotlot recalled Cocoy’s final visit to her mother’s wake at Heritage Memorial Chapels in Taguig City on April 21, 2025—just days after Nora Aunor’s passing at the age of 71.
But he didn’t come empty-handed.
“When you came to visit Mom for the last time, you brought with you a beautiful painting you had made for her,” Lotlot wrote.
“You told me that you had always promised to create another one for her—and so, you brought it with you to her wake.”
Cocoy, a passionate painter in addition to being a singer and actor, had long promised Nora another portrait. Despite her death, he fulfilled that promise—arriving quietly, with his canvas in hand, to bid farewell one last time.
The moment was quiet. Simple. But incredibly profound.
💬 “You Kept Your Word, Tito Cocoy.”
Lotlot’s message speaks not just of grief, but of gratitude—for a man who honored his word, even when it was too late for her mother to see it.
“You kept your word, Tito Cocoy. You made her one last painting. You gave her beauty, love, and remembrance—even in death.”
The gesture, shared publicly only now, has resonated deeply with fans, many of whom remember Cocoy and Nora’s undeniable chemistry onscreen—and their enduring friendship off it.
🕯️ Two Legends, One Legacy
With Cocoy Laurel’s own cremated remains now laid to rest in the same chapel where he visited his dear friend just weeks prior, the symbolism is striking—and heartbreaking.
Two icons. Two goodbyes.
One friendship that stood the test of time.
🌟 Fans and Celebrities React
Netizens flooded social media with tributes and condolences. Many shared memories of seeing Nora and Cocoy together in films, stage performances, and public appearances. Others were moved by the poetic tragedy of Cocoy’s passing so soon after Nora’s, and the deep emotional thread tying their stories together.
“He loved her as a friend until the very end,” one fan wrote.
“This is the kind of loyalty we don’t often see anymore,” another added.
Even younger generations, who may not have grown up with Cocoy and Nora’s era of entertainment, found themselves deeply touched by the story.
🖼️ Art as Tribute, Love as Legacy
In the end, Cocoy Laurel’s final painting was more than a portrait. It was a symbol—of love, memory, and keeping one’s promises. Through art, he spoke the words he perhaps never said out loud. Through one final act, he reminded us that true friendship doesn’t end with death.
Lotlot ended her tribute with a quiet, powerful wish:
“May you rest in peace, Tito Cocoy. You are now with her. Tell her how much we all miss her. Thank you for loving my mom… all the way to the very end.”
