Another movie industry pillar, Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda, writes 30

Manay Ichu (left) and Benjamin Alves

“Her loss will surely be felt by the entire industry,” said actress Boots Anson-Rodrigo of her colleague and long-time friend Marichu “Manay Ichu” Vera-Perez Maceda, who passed away on Sunday night at age 77.

Manay Ichu, whose family owned the 1930s film production company Sampaguita Pictures, succumbed to cardio-respiratory failure, her family announced on Monday.

She was likewise founder and chair of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), which Boots headed since 2002 until her retirement from the post early this year.“I don’t think anybody should be filling up Manay Ichu’s shoes. We will all try to do our best and be inspired by her,” Boots told Inquirer Entertainment on Monday. “All of these big industry-related agencies, she had helped found and established. She was an excellent organizer.”

Aside from the Mowelfund, Manay Ichu was also among the founders of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Film Developmental Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), the Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association (PMPPA), and the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP).

A Mass was held in Manay Ichu’s honor on Monday night at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City. She was cremated immediately and inurned at the Sampaguita Chapel (of Arlington) until further notice by her family.

Manay Ichu is survived by her five sons Emmanuel, Ernesto Jr., Erwin, Edmond and Edward Maceda.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Mowelfund, the family announced.

Marichu “Manay Ichu” Vera-Perez Maceda

“Goodbye, Manay Ichu,” said screenwriter and filmmaker Jose Javier Reyes, “Your kindness and love for Filipino cinema make you immortal in our hearts.”

“Another industry pillar has gone. Such an elegant and gracious lady,” screenwriter Senedy Que said of Manay Ichu. “I’m fortunate to have met her many times and received good graces and kind words from her.”

Film and TV director Adolfo Alix Jr. said: “I am at a loss for words. Another industry pillar has left us … She was always there to fight for the industry, but for me, she was a godmother who opened the doors for me to start my career.”

Boots said Manay Ichu’s had been a lingering illness. “It was only about a year ago that she stopped attending (Mowelfund) board meetings. Even then, she was already in and out of the hospital. She would attend events on a wheelchair and with a small portable oxygen tank. ’Di mapigilan! She was really passionate about her work.”

Boots said she learned about Manay Ichu’s passing early morning of Monday. “I felt ambivalent. There’s definitely feelings of loss and grief but at the same time, a sense of relief. She had suffered for so long. She used to tell me, ‘Pagod na ako. I want to go na, kaya lang … ’ She said this was because she still had a mission.”

Boots said that for Manay Ichu, to raise funds for Mowelfund members had been a personal mission. “It’s really for the sustainability of Mowelfund, and later on, for its enhancements. Dati puro kami abono,” Boots recalled. “But during the last four years, we were already in the black. Nakatawid na kami. We’re thankful to all those who helped us raise funds.”

Manay Ichu’s parents, Jose and Azucena Vera-Perez, owned Sampaguita Pictures, which was among the biggest film production firms in the 1930s. On her own, Manay Ichu also became a producer. Her film projects included “Dyesebel,” “Batch ‘81,” “Umibig ay ’di Biro,” and “Always in My Heart.”

Manay Ichu with Benjamin Alves. Photo credit: Jude Bautista