Sen. Revilla mourns passing of PH Film stalwart Marichu Maceda; co-authors P.S. Res. No. 515

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. expressed his grief over the death of one of the country's stalwarts of the movie industry, Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda.

The veteran legislator paid tribute to the movie icon during his speech as co-author of P. S. Res. No. 515, "Resolution Expressing the Profound Sympathy and Sincere Condolences of the Senate on the Death of Ms. Ma. Azucena "Manay Ichu" Vera-Perez-Maceda, the Pioneer of the Philippine Movie Industry."

Maceda, daughter of Sampaguita Pictures founder Dr. Jose Vera-Perez and wife of former Senate President Ernesto Maceda, died Monday morning due to kidney complications and heart disease. She was 77.

"Tulad ko po, Manay Ichu was born into the Philippine Film Industry - ang mga Vera-Perez na nagtatag ng isa sa naging pinakamalaking film outfits sa bansa, ang Sampaguita Pictures. Ang Sampaguita Pictures po ang naka-discover sa aking ama. Kung wala pong Sampaguita, baka walang naging Ramon Revilla, at wala rin sigurong Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr.," stated the veteran senator.

Bong Revilla also recalled how her "wedding ninang" helped strengthen the local movie industry not only by churning out quality movies that provide jobs for production workers, Manay Ichu also led the establishment of MOWELFUND, Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP), Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).

"Hindi matatawaran ang kanyang naging kontribusyon sa larangan ng sining, na matatapatan lamang ng kanyang kabutihan at pagtulong sa kapwa, lalo na sa mga maliliit na manggagawa sa pelikula. Sa kanyang mga naulilang mga anak, kina Manay Gina De Venecia, Tita Betchay Nakpil at sa iba pa niyang mga kapatid, kaanak at kaibigan, iur most heartfelt condolonces and prayers," Revilla ended.