Chichay

Chichay
Born	Ampario Robles Custodio January 21, 1918(1918-01-21) Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Died	May 31, 1993(1993-05-31) (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.

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.^[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.

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

Notes

1. ^ ^{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. 

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. 

External links

• Chichay at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Chichay
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	January 21, 1918
Place of birth	Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Date of death	March 31, 1993
Place of death	Manila, Philippines