Movie pioneer ‘Manay Ichu’ passes away at 77

MANILA, Philippines — Producer Maria Azucena Vera-Perez Maceda, known as “Manay Ichu” and considered as one of the Philippine film industry’s matriarchs, has passed away at age 77.

This was confirmed by her nephew Rep. Christopher De Venecia, son of Maceda’s sister Gina De Venecia, in a Facebook post.

“Mami-miss kita nang tahasan Mama Tutu. Isang haligi ng industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino na nag-alaga at nag-aruga sa akin sa aking paglaki, hanggang sa aking pagtanda. Mahal na mahal ka namin,” the younger De Venecia wrote Monday.

(I will really miss you Mama Tutu. You are a pillar of the Philippine film industry who took care of me as I grew up. We love you very much.)

https://www.facebook.com/christopherdeveneciaCDV/posts/2703861586521089

“Rest in power Mama Tutu. Ngayo’y malaya ka na sa sakit at karamdaman. Ipagpapatuloy namin ang iyong nasimulan at ang legacy ng Vera Perez family,” he added.

(Rest in power Mama Tutu. Now you are free from any sickness. We will continue what you started and the legacy of the Vera Perez family.)

Senate President Vicente Sotto III took to Twitter to mourn Maceda’s death.

“Our Beloved Manay Ichu will now rest at the bosom of the Lord our God. The Movie industry will never be the same. We owe her a lot. We love her deeply,” Sotto said.

Our Beloved Manay Ichu will now rest at the bosom of the Lord our God. The Movie industry will never be the same. We owe her a lot. We love her deeply.

— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) September 7, 2020

Maceda was born into the family who owned Sampaguita Pictures, among the biggest film productions of the country back in the 30s to the 70s.

She was known for producing highly acclaimed films like “Batch ’81” and “Dyesebel.”

More than producing films, she also showed immense support to the industry by taking part in the establishment of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Metro Manila Film Festival, Film Academy of the Philippines, among others.

JE