Adelaida Fernando-Villegas (born Adelaida Marquez Fernando; March 17, 1914 – August 30, 2004), 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 as Adelaida Marquez Fernando 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.Maniquis & Pareja, p. 205 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 (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 tagline, uttered without fail in every episode to John Puruntong, was a scathing admonition: "Magsumikap ka!" ("Strive harder!") She also popularized the Filipino catchphrase "Hudas! Barabas! Hestas!" in this sitcom.
Atay-Atayan had another famous role as the mother of Vic Ungassis (played by Vic Sotto) 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.
Death
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 was cremated, her ashes inurned 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. [People's] 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 Year Title Role 1973–1987 Seeing Stars With Joe Quirino 1973–1990 John en Marsha Doña Delilah G. Jones 1978–1988 Iskul Bukol Aling Jacoba or Inang 1983–1986 Penthouse Seven
Awards and nominations + Awards and nominations Year Award giving body Category Nominated work/ Person Results 2001 19th Film Academy of the Philippines Awards Lifetime Achievement Awards Dely Atay-Atayan
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