Dely Atay-Atayan

Adelaida Fernando-Villegas, better known as Dely Atay-Atayan or Adelaida Fernando, was a Filipina comedian and singer. Her career in entertainment spanned seven decades, beginning in bodabil and ending in television.

Biography

Atay-Atayan was born in Tondo, Manila, to painter Amado Fernando and singer Carmen Marquez. 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.

Career

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 role was as Doña Delilah, the wealthy, imperious and disapproving mother-in-law of John Puruntong 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 tagline, uttered without fail in every episode to John Puruntong, was a scathing admonition: "Magsumikap ka!" She also popularized the Filipino catchphrase "Hudas! Barabas! Hestas!" in this sitcom.
Atay-Atayan had another famous role as the mother of Vic Ungassis in the sitcom Iskul Bukol. Her character came from the town of Tiaong, Quezon, and popularized the term of endearment "Bunsoy!" for addressing Vic. The root word "bunso" is Tagalog for youngest child.
Her last movie was Chick Boy in 1994 following her retirement in the same year.

Illness, retirement and death

Atay-Atayan retired in 1994. In 1999, she was diagnosed to be having gallstones and by 2002 she will no longer walk. She had been bedridden for two years. On August 30, 2004, she died at the Parañaque Medical Hospital of natural causes. She was 90. She is laid to rest at her family mausoleum in Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City.

Filmography

Film

1938 - Lakambini
1940 - Libingang Bakal
1940 - Gunita
1940 - Nag-iisang Sangla
1947 - Bakya Mo Neneng
1948 - Ang Anghel sa Lupa
1948 - Wala na Akong Iluha
1948 - Itanong mo sa Bulaklak
1948 - Bulaklak at Paruparo
1948 - Maliit Lamang ang Daigdig
1948 - Isang Dakot na Bigas
1949 - Kayumanggi
1949 - Anak ng Panday
1949 - Halik sa Bandila
1949 - Kumander Sundang
1949 - Kay Ganda ng Umaga
1949 - Dugo ng Katipunan
1949 - Padre Burgos
1950 - 48 Oras
1950 - Tatlong Balaraw
1950 - Kenkoy
1951 - Bahay na Tisa
1951 - Diego Silang
1952 - Nicomedes
1953 - Highway 54
1953 - Kambal na Lihim
1953 - Tayo'y Mag-aliw
1953 - Sa Hirap at Ginhawa
1953 - Tampalasan
1954 - Selosong Balo
1954 - May Bakas Ang Lumipas
1956 - Mr. & Mrs.
1956 - Bella Filipina
1957 - Bicol Express
1957 - H-Line Gang
1958 - Kilabot sa Sta. Barbara
1959 - Ang Kanyang Kamahalan
1959 - Big Time Berto
1959 - Pitong Gatang
1968 - Buhay Bombero
1969 - Facifica Falayfay
1969 - Impasse
1970 - With These Hands
1972 - Love Pinoy Style
1973 - John and Marsha
1976 - Magsikap: Kayod sa Araw, Kayod sa Gabi
1976 - John and Marsha 2
1977 - Omeng Satanasia
1977 - John and Marsha 3
1977 - Silang mga Mukhang Pera
1980 - John and Marsha 4
1981 - Tropang Bulilit
1984 - Da Best of John & Marsha
1985 - Ride on Baby
1985 - Kapag Baboy ang Inutang
1985 - John and Marsha sa Probinsya
1985 - Like Father, Like Son
1988 - Baleleng at ang Ginto Sirena
1988 - Haw Haw de Karabaw
1989 - Everlasting Love
1990 - Samson & Goliath
1991 - John and Marsha '91
1994 - Chick Boy
1995 - ''Home Sic Home''
Television