| Fidela Magpayo | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 29, 1920 Philippines |
| Died | September 1, 2008 (age 87) Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Other names | Tiya Dely |
| Occupation | Veteran Broadcaster |
Fidela Magpayo-Reyes, known on the airwaves simply as Tiya Dely, was a Philippine radio broadcasting icon well-loved by generations of listeners and advice-seekers who tuned in to her radio counseling programs. She was a pioneer radio broadcaster debuting in the 1940s and was among the first wave of broadcasters who popularized Filipino songs at a time when American music dominated the airwaves.[1] She was also a much sought-after newscaster, commentator, radio dramatist, writer, and producer during her time. Because of her long and outstanding service in the broadcasting industry, she came to be recognized as the "First Lady of Philippine Radio."[2]
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After World War II, Magpayo supported the presidential campaign of Manuel Roxas. When Roxas won the elections, he made the young supporter the confidential secretary to then Vice President Elpidio Quirino. During his term, Quirino encouraged Magpayo to study and get a college degree.[3] She entered Far Eastern University and took up Foreign Service but later shifted to another course. Magpayo graduated from FEU in 1950 with a degree in Political Science.[4]
The veteran Magpayo is one of only a few people in the industry to have worked in all media: theater, radio, film, and television. Her career in broadcasting started when she was about 18 years old, after she joined radio comedians Andoy Balunbalunan and Dely Atay-Atayan as a group singer. She got her first counselling program on radio station dzRH on October 6, 1953. She eventually transferred to the Lopez-owned DZMM. (On a side note, Magpayo was the last radio host heard on air before DZXL was shut down during the Martial Law period.) After Martial Law, she went back to dzRH and resumed her broadcasting career. There Magpayo hosted radio shows for nearly seven decades, rightfully earning the title "First Lady of Philippine Radio." Even in her 80s, she maintained a full work schedule at the station, hosting a nightly show Ang Inyong Tiya Dely apart from her usual weekend program.[3]
Aside from being a radio personality, Magpayo also acted professionally and was in fact a leading lady to Angel Esmeralda, Pugo, and Tugo in several shows at the Manila Grand Opera House. She also acted in movies, most of which were produced by Sampaguita Pictures, LVN and Larry Santiago Productions. Among the films she appeared in were Basahang Ginto and Hinihintay Kita.
She was also a singer, having recorded songs for Villar Records such as Pamaypay ng Maynila, Sa Ilalim ng Ilang-Ilang, Pandanggo ni Neneng, and Nabasag ang Banga.[4]
Throughout her career, Magpayo pushed for educating people on the correct and proper use of the Filipino language. She also worked for the preservation of traditional Filipino values of respect, honor, and love, which was evident whenever she gave advice to her listeners.[3]
At the age of 87, Magpayo was still a regular anchor of DZRH radio program Serenata Kolektibista (now Serenata Filipina), in a segment that featured her longtime passions kundiman and rondalla music. While anchoring said radio show on the evening of August 30, 2008, she had a stroke and was rushed to the Manila Doctors' Hospital. Two days later on September 1, 2008, she died. She would have been 88 in two months.
The many awards Magpayo received for her contributions to the Philippine broadcast industry include the Pama-As Gintong Bai award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP). For five consecutive years, her television and radio program Hamon sa Kampiyon garnered the top spot in ratings and awards, further proving her effectiveness as a host. In 2006, Magpayo was honored with the Gawad Plaridel Award by the University of the Philippines for keeping her dedication, integrity, and professionalism.[1] She was supposed to receive the Gawad Saguisag Quezon award; instead, her relatives accepted the award in her place. The award pays tribute to her over 60 years in Philippine broadcasting.
Magpayo was married to the late Colonel Leonor Reyes, Sr. a veteran of Bataan and Korea. They had two daughters, Violeta and Delia, and a son, Leonor Jr.