Chichay
| Chichay | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ampario Robles Custodio January 21, 1918 Tondo, Manila, Philippines |
| Died | May 31, 1993 (aged 75) Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation | Filipino comedienne |
| Years active | 1949 - 1993 |
Chichay (born Amparo R. Custodio; January 21, 1918 – May 31, 1993) was a Filipino comedienne. Her short and stocky stature, scratchy voice and prematurely aged appearance allowed her to portray grandmothers while only in her thirties.
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[edit] Biography
She was born in Tondo, Manila, the daughter of a ship steward, Jose Pacifico Custodio and Maria Robles of Bulacan.[1] In 1945, she married Hercules Saenz Moya of Iloilo. She entered showbusiness as a teen, joining the "Samahang Antonieta" as a singer with her sister Iluminada. She also appeared as a chorus line dancer at the bodabil shows of Katy de la Cruz.[1] Soon a regular at the bodabil circuit, she received her stage name "Chichay" from Atang de la Rama. The name was a corruption of the Japanese word "Chiisai", meaning "short", in reference to Chichay's own short height and she got famous for her toothless appearance but in reality she still got 2 molars left.[1]
Chichay appeared in her first film, Sampaguita Pictures's Huwag Ka Nang Magtampo, in 1949. She became a star in 1953 after appearing in Gorio and Tekla, opposite Tolindoy.[1] In the next decade, Chichay and Tolindoy became a popular comic duo, often paired together in films.
In 1954, the thirty-six year old Chichay was cast as the over-protective grandmother of Fred Montilla's titular role, Bondying, an adaptation of a comic character created by Mars Ravelo. Chichay would make two more Bondying films with Montilla.[1] Remarkably, thirty-five years after the first Bondying film, Chichay would be called upon to play the very same role in the Viva Films remake starring Jimmy Santos.
Chichay remained a contract star with Sampaguita Pictures for almost two decades. After her stint with Sampaguita, she remained in demand as a character actress, often in comic roles. In 1972, she was nominated for a FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Bilanguang Puso. She was active in film until her death in 1993. Among her last roles was as Lola Basyang in the 1986 Regal Films fantasy movie, Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.
[edit] Filmography
1948 - Itanong mo sa Bulaklak [Premiere]
1949 - Carmencita Mia [Par]
1949 - Kung Sakali ma't Salat [Bayani]
1950 - Huwag ka ng Magtampo! - Sampaguita Pictures
1950 - Kilabot sa Makiling - Sampaguita Pictures
1950 - Mga Baguio Cadets - Sampaguita Pictures
1950 - Huling Patak ng Dugo - Sampaguita Pictures
1950 - Kulog sa Tag-Araw - Sampaguita Pictures
1951 - Anghel ng Pag-ibig - Sampaguita Pictures
1952 - Rebecca - Sampaguita Pictures
1952 - Barbaro - Sampaguita Pictures
1952 - Madam X - Sampaguita Pictures
1952 - Kerubin - Sampaguita Pictures
1952 - Buhay Pilipino - Sampaguita Pictures
1953 - Ang Ating Pag-ibig - Sampaguita Pictures
1953 - Gorio at Tekla - Sampaguita Pictures
1953 - Cofradia - Sampaguita Pictures
1953 - Tulisang Pugot - Sampaguita Pictures
1953 - Mister Kasintahan - Sampaguita Pictures
1954 - Ukkala - Sampaguita Pictures
1954 - Nagkita si Kerubin at si Tulisang Pugot - Sampaguita Pictures
1954 - Ang Biyenang Hindi Tumatawa - Sampaguita Pictures
1954 - Anak sa Panalangin - Sampaguita Pictures
1954 - Bondying - Sampaguita Pictures
1955 - Tatay na si Bondying - Sampaguita Pictures
1955 - Artista - Sampaguita Pictures
1955 - Uhaw sa Pag-ibig - Sampaguita Pictures
1955 - Sa Dulo ng Landas - Sampaguita Pictures
1955 - Waldas - Sampaguita Pictures
1955 - Bim Bam Bum - Sampaguita Pictures
1956 - Chavacano - Sampaguita Pictures
1956 - Rodora - Sampaguita Pictures
1957 - Busabos - Sampaguita Pictures
1958 - Zorina [Champion]
1958 - Ang Nobya kong Igorota [Champion]
1959 - Handsome - Sampaguita Pictures
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e Malou Maniquis (1994). "Philippine Film". In Nicanor Tiongson. CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. VIII (1st ed.). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. pp. 219. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
[edit] References
- Malou Maniquis (1994). "Philippine Film". In Nicanor Tiongson. CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. VIII (1st ed.). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. pp. 219. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
[edit] External links
- Chichay at the Internet Movie Database
