Chicháy

This name uses Philippine naming customs. The first or maternal family name is Robles and the second or paternal family name is Custodio.
Chichay Garcia
Birth name Ampario Robles Custodio
Born (1918-01-21)January 21, 1918
Tondo, Manila, Philippine Islands
Died March 31, 1993(1993-03-31) (aged 75)
Spouse Hercules Saenz Moya

Chichay (born Amparo Robles Custodio; January 21, 1918 – March 31, 1993) was a Filipino comedian and actress. Her short and stocky stature, scratchy voice and prematurely aged appearance allowed her to portray grandmothers while only in her thirties.

Biography

Early life

She was born in Tondo, Manila, the daughter of a ship steward, Jose Pacifico Custodio and Maria Robles of Bulacan.[1]

Career

She entered show business 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.

Personal life

In 1945, she married Hercules Saenz Moya of Iloilo.

Death

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
  • 1962 - No Man Isn Island
  • 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
  • 1962 - No Man Is An Island - Gold Coast Pictures
  • 1962- Pitong Atsay- Dalisay Pictures
  • 1962- Ang Pinakamalaking Takas ng Pitong Atsay- Dalisay Pictures

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Malou Maniquis; Galileo Atienza (1994). "Philippine Film". In Nicanor Tiongson. CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. VIII (1st ed.). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. p. 219. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.

References

External links

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