PINILI, Ilocos Norte, Aug. 22—Ilocana actress Lilia Cuntapay, famous horror queen in Philippine cinema, died “penny-less” at old age. She was charitable to the poor folks when still alive.
Cuntapay left movie-TV appearances when she was downed by the serious spinal illness.
Since then, she stayed at the small house of her son Gilmor at Brgy. Tartarabang, this town.
Weeks before her demise, she appealed thru the local TV asking for financial aid for her medical treatment.
Villagers said Cuntapay’s earnings almost went to charity as she was always generous to the needy who asked for money during the peak of her movie career.
Cuntapay’s death wish was to bury her remains in her birthplace in Gonzaga, Cagayan but Gilmor opted to have the Pinili cemetery his mother’s final resting place for sentimental reason. (Ilocos Sentinel & Photo by PGIN-CMO)
Ilocos Norte’s Semana ti
Ar-aria icon Lilia Cuntapay dies at age 81
Veteran actress Lilia Cuntapay dubbed as the country’s ‘Horror Queen’ died at age 81 last August 20, 2016.
Relatives, friends and fans joined mourners at her son’s house in Brgy. Tartarabang, Pinili, Ilocos Norte where her body lies in state.
Cuntapay, who died due to a spinal cord illness, was the icon of Ilocos Norte’s annual horror festival ‘Semana ti Ar-aria’ and a mainstay of the ‘Parada Iloca-locana’ (Ghost Parade) which drew thousands of local and foreign tourists to the province since 2010.
Governor Imee R. Marcos mourned Cuntapay’s demise whom she described as “a vibrant and gracious Ilocana.”
“We have an unforgettable icon, whose talent enlivened the screen and brought magic to our humdrum lives. We will miss you, Nana Lilia!” added Governor Marcos.
Cuntapay, who always participated in the Semana ti Ar-aria, emerged as the country’s Horror Queen for her prominent roles as a scary woman in classic Filipino horror films such as the Shake, Rattle and Roll III as well as television series in the past decades.
In 2012, she received her first Best Actress award from the Cinema One Originals Film Festival for playing the lead role in her decades-long career in Antoinette Jadaone’s critically-acclaimed film ‘Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay.’
Recent reports noted that Cuntapay’s wake will be in Pinili, Ilocos Norte until her burial, set after her birthday on September 16.—(John Michael Mugas, PGIN-CMO)
