Dely Atay-Atayan
Encyclopedia
Dely Atay-Atayan, also Adela, Fernando, (March 17, 1914 – August 30, 2004), born Adelaida Fernando, was a Filipina comedian
and singer. Her career in entertainment spanned seven decades, beginning in bodabil
and ending in television
.
. One of her younger brothers, Ading Fernando, would grow up to be a prominent television comedian and director.
Atay-Atayan had completed her second year in high school when she broke into showbusiness as a kundiman
singer at the Palace Theater in Manila. From 1930 to 1934, she toured with a bodabil troupe, billing herself as "The Queen of Laughs". She made her film debut in 1940 with Lakambini, where she played opposite her husband, comedian Andoy Balunbalunan
. After Balunbalunan's death, she married Catalino Ong.
From 1940 until 1994, Atay-Atayan appeared in over 300 films. She was also a popular comedian on radio, starring in programs such as Tangtarang-Tang. She formed a comedic quartet with Pugak, Lopito and Doro de los Ojos, calling themselves "Ancient Fox".
Her most famous later role was as Doña Delilah, the wealthy, imperious and disapproving mother-in-law of John Puruntong (Dolphy
) in the RPN
sitcom John En Marsha
, which was created by her brother Ading and ran for seventeen years. Her portrayal proved as the definitive "mother-in-law" archetype in Filipino popular culture. Her famous tag-line, uttered without fail in every episode to John Puruntong, was a scathing admonition: "Magsumikap ka!" ("Try harder!"). She also played as Vic Sotto's mother from the town of Tiaong, Quezon in also a popular sitcom Iskul Bukol. Famous for her term of endearment "Bunsooyy!" whenever addressing Vic. The root word "bunso" is Tagalog for youngest child.
Atay-Atayan retired in the mid-1990s. She had been bedridden for two years prior to her death in 2004.
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and singer. Her career in entertainment spanned seven decades, beginning in bodabil
Bodabil
Bodabil was a popular genre of entertainment in the Philippines from the 1910s until the mid-1960s. For decades, it competed with film, radio and television as the dominant form of Filipino mass entertainment. It peaked in popularity during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines from 1941 to 1945...
and ending in television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
.
Biography
Atay-Atayan was born in Tondo, ManilaTondo, Manila
Tondo is a district of Manila, Philippines. The locale has existed prior to the arrival of the Spanish, referred to as "Tundun" in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. One of the most densely populated areas of land in the world, Tondo is located in the northwest portion of the city and is primarily...
. One of her younger brothers, Ading Fernando, would grow up to be a prominent television comedian and director.
Atay-Atayan had completed her second year in high school when she broke into showbusiness as a kundiman
Kundiman
Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the Kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals...
singer at the Palace Theater in Manila. From 1930 to 1934, she toured with a bodabil troupe, billing herself as "The Queen of Laughs". She made her film debut in 1940 with Lakambini, where she played opposite her husband, comedian Andoy Balunbalunan
Andoy Balunbalunan
Andoy Balunbalunan was a pre-war Filipino actor and comedian. He appeared in the bodabil circuit and other stage plays. He was married to Dely Atay-Atayan, a comedian....
. After Balunbalunan's death, she married Catalino Ong.
From 1940 until 1994, Atay-Atayan appeared in over 300 films. She was also a popular comedian on radio, starring in programs such as Tangtarang-Tang. She formed a comedic quartet with Pugak, Lopito and Doro de los Ojos, calling themselves "Ancient Fox".
Her most famous later role was as Doña Delilah, the wealthy, imperious and disapproving mother-in-law of John Puruntong (Dolphy
Dolphy
Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr. , known by his screen name Dolphy, is a Filipino comedian-actor in the Philippines. He has appeared in a number of works on stage, radio, television and movies.-Biography:Dolphy was born on P. Herrera St...
) in the RPN
Radio Philippines Network
Radio Philippines Network, Inc. is a broadcast television network in the Philippines co-owned by the Government Communications Group, Solar Entertainment Corporation, Far East Managers and Investors Inc., and private sectors. This station studios are located at Broadcast City, Old Balara, Capitol...
sitcom John En Marsha
John En Marsha
John En Marsha was the longest-running and most watched prime time comedy sitcom in the Philippines during the 1970s and 1980s. Created by Ading Fernando, it aired on RPN and starred Dolphy, the late Nida Blanca, Dely Atay-Atayan and Maricel Soriano. The show ran from 1973 to 1990...
, which was created by her brother Ading and ran for seventeen years. Her portrayal proved as the definitive "mother-in-law" archetype in Filipino popular culture. Her famous tag-line, uttered without fail in every episode to John Puruntong, was a scathing admonition: "Magsumikap ka!" ("Try harder!"). She also played as Vic Sotto's mother from the town of Tiaong, Quezon in also a popular sitcom Iskul Bukol. Famous for her term of endearment "Bunsooyy!" whenever addressing Vic. The root word "bunso" is Tagalog for youngest child.
Atay-Atayan retired in the mid-1990s. She had been bedridden for two years prior to her death in 2004.
Filmography
- 1940 -Lakambini [Cervantina Filipina Corp.]
- 1940 -Gunita [Sampaguita]
- 1940 -Nag-iisang Sangla [Lvn]
- 1947 -Bakya mo Neneng [Premiere]
- 1948 -Ang Anghel sa Lupa [Premiere]
- 1948 -Wala na akong Iluha [Premiere]
- 1948 -Itanong mo sa Bulaklak [Premiere]
- 1948 -Bulaklak at Paruparo [Premiere]
- 1948 -Maliit lamang ang Daigdig [Premiere]
- 1949 -Kayumanggi [Premiere]
- 1949 -Anak ng Panday [Premiere]
- 1949 -Halik sa Bandila [Premiere]
- 1949 -Kumander Sundang [Premiere]
- 1949 -Kay Ganda ng Umaga [Premiere]
- 1950 -48 Oras [Premiere]
- 1950 -Tatlong Balaraw [Premiere]
- 1950 -Kenkoy [Premiere]
- 1951 -Bahay na Tisa [Premiere]
- 1951 -Diego Silang [Premiere]
- 1953 - Highway 54 [LGS]
- 1953 -Kambal na Lihim [LGS]
- 1953 -Tayo'y Mag-aliw [Premiere]
- 1953 -Tampalasan [LGS]
- 1954 -Selosong Balo [V]
- 1956 -Mr. & Mrs. [People's]
- 1957 -Bicol Express [Premiere]
- 1957 -H-Line Gang [Premiere]
- 1958 -Kilabot sa Sta. Barbara [Tamaraw Studios]
- 1968 -Buhay bombero
- 1969 -Pacifica Falaypay [RVQ Productions]
- 1969 -Impasse
- 1970 -With These Hands
- 1973 -John and Marsha [RVQ Productions]
- 1976 -Magsikap: Kayod sa araw, kayod sa gabi
- 1976 -John and Marsha 2 [RVQ Productions]
- 1977 -Omeng Satanasia
- 1977 -John and Marsha 3 [RVQ Productions]
- 1977 -Silang mga mukhang pera
- 1980 -John and Marsha 4 [RVQ Productions]
- 1981 -Tropang bulilit
- 1984 -Da Best of John & Marsha [RVQ Productions]
- 1985 -Ride on Baby
- 1985 -Kapag baboy ang inutang
- 1985 -John and Marsha sa probinsya [RVQ Productions]
- 1985 -Like Father, Like Son
- 1988 -Baleleng at ang ginto sirena
- 1988 -Haw Haw de Karabaw
- 1989 -Everlasting Love
- 1990 -Samson & Goliath [M-Zet Films]
- 1991 -John and Marsha '91 [RVQ Productions]
- 1994 -Chickboy [OctoArts Films]
TV series
- John En MarshaJohn En MarshaJohn En Marsha was the longest-running and most watched prime time comedy sitcom in the Philippines during the 1970s and 1980s. Created by Ading Fernando, it aired on RPN and starred Dolphy, the late Nida Blanca, Dely Atay-Atayan and Maricel Soriano. The show ran from 1973 to 1990...
(Radio Philippines Network) (1973–1990) - Iskul BukolIskul BukolIskul Bukol was a Philippine situational comedy show that aired on the IBC 13 network from 1977 to 1988. It starred Filipino comedians Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon. The show centered on their lives as students of the fictional Wanbol University, parodying it's real life counterpart,...
(IBC) (1978–1990)