Lilia Cuntapay attacked

Lilia Cuntapay photo by Bayani San Diego Jr.

KORONADAL CITY—She came to Tupi, South Cotabato, to entertain. But Lilia Cuntapay, popular star of several horror movies, became the victim of a horrific act herself when a mentally disturbed man hit her on the face.

The incident took place on Friday night but Tupi police confirmed it only on Monday.

Based on the report, Cuntapay, 80, was a guest during the foundation anniversary celebrations at Gen. Paulino Santos Memorial Institute. She was seated near the stage waiting for her number when the man, later identified as Aljay Sacramento, 29, turned up and struck her.

Dr. Grace Tanzo, resident physician at Allah Valley Medical Specialists Center, said Cuntapay suffered bruises on the left side of her face and had to be admitted because her blood pressure shot up.

“As of now,” Tanzo told dxOM-FM in Koronadal City on Monday, “her room is off limits to visitors and two policemen are at the door.”

It was not immediately known if Cuntapay will file charges, but the suspect’s relatives have reportedly apologized to the actress.

Cuntapay debuted in an early edition of the “Shake Rattle and Roll” series but took her first lead role in “Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay,” for which she won best actress at the 2011 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival. Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao