Remembering her as
Dona Delilah from the famous TV sitcom John en Marsha as John Puruntong’s
(Dolphy) wealthy and disapproving mother in law, who always had a famous
nagging line “Kaya ikaw John, Magsumikap ka”
in the sitcoms’ episodes.
Adelaida Marquez Fernando-Villegas
also remember in her screen name Dely Atay Atayan was born March 17, 1914 in Tondo,
Manila. She is a true blood artist from her father Amado Fernando, who is a
known painter and composer. And also her mom, who is also a popular singer,
Carmen Marquez. Her younger brother is the prominent director and comedian,
Ading Fernando who also happen to be the director of John en Marsha.
She enter show business as a Kundiman singer
at the Palace Theater in Manila after she had completed her second year in high
school. For 4 years she was billed as the “Queen of Laughs" by her
colleagues in vaudeville. Her vaudeville troupe travel in different places to
share their outstanding performance to their audience.
She also become a radio comedian in programs
like Tangtarang-Tang. Performing with Pugak, Lopito and Doro de los Ojos, she
put up the comedic quartet “Ancient Fox”. In 1940 she made her debut in
Philippine cinema in “Lakambini”, a romantic-drama film with her husband, comedian Andoy
Balunbalunan (Alejandro Villegas) and also with the film Libingang Bakal.
Her first performance under Cervatina
Filipina Corp. entitled “Muse” and in Sampaguita pictures “Recollection”. She
also made movie under LVN Pictures before she eventually become one of the
stars in Premiere Production.
She is also a singer and had a duet with her
husband Andoy in 1952 entitled “Chicken Song”. After the World War II, she
continuously perform in comedy skits under Lou Salvador Sr. at Life Theater in
Quiapo, Manila and Manila Grand Opera House in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Coping up with the loss of her only son and
husband Andoy and how she deals with her life.
She was given a chance to feel in love again with
another man (Catalino Ong) and later on they got married.
For 54 years she made more than 300 films in
Philippine cinema. Achieving the popularity as a comedienne to 2 most popular
TV sitcom John en Marsha and Iskul Bukol. For 17 year of John en Marsha on TV,
she portrayed as John Puruntong’s (Dolphy) wealthy mother in law. It shows a typical
archetype figure of mother in law in Filipino Culture. In Iskul Bukol she plays
as Vic Sotto’s mother from Tiaong, Quezon, whose famous term of endearment to
the latter as “Bunsoy”. Both TV sitcoms made such a great distinction on her television
career.
She retire in mid ‘90s. She became sick for
several time, in 1997 she was hospitalize for pneumonia and the year later for
high blood pressure. At 85 she was diagnosed with gallstones but doctors refuse
on operating her due to age reason.
Dely daughter Amore is the ex-wife of Manuel
Quizon who happens to be Dolphy’s son. Boy 2 Quizon also a known comedian and
actor is the grandson of Dely and Dolphy. She lives with the Quizon family
since 2002 in BF Homes, Paranaque.
In 2002 interview she says “I’m weak because
I’m already tired, but I feel okay”. During that interview she was just lying
and could no longer walk. She sits up just to give us another chance of seeing
her as our loving mother in law Dely.
Her death was accepted with a light heart by
her family because she didn’t suffer to any major complications and they knew
she made a true success in her life as an actress and a person. She left a lot
of true artist in line through her granddaughters and grandsons.
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