IN’s Semana ti Ar-aria icon dies at age 81

By John Michael Mugas

PGIN-CMO

Veteran actress Lilia Cuntapay who was dubbed as the country’s “Horror Queen” died at 81 years old on August 20, 2016 at her son’s home in Pinili, Ilocos Norte.

Ms. 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 has been drawing thousands of local and foreign tourists to the province since 2010.

Governor Imee R. Marcos and actress Lilia Cuntapay ride together a make-shift horse carriage during the Parada Iloca-locana (Ghost Parade) as part of the province-wide annual Semana ti Ar-aria Horror Festival last October 31, 2013. (Alaric Yanos)

Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos mourns the passing of the great actress whom she described as “a vibrant and gracious Ilocana.”

“We have forever been given an unforgettable icon, whose talent enlivened the screen and brought magic to our humdrum lives. We will miss you, Nana Lilia!” added Ms. Marcos.

Ms. Cuntapay, who always looked forward to visiting Ilocos Norte to participate 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 only lead role in her decades-long career in Antoinette Jadaone’s critically-acclaimed film ‘Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay.’

Award-winning Ilocano blogger and professor Herdy La. Yumul also expressed his gratitude to the great actress, saying, “Maraming salamat, Nanay Lilia at paalam. Dios ti kumuyug kenka, nana Lilia.”

Recent reports noted that Ms. Cuntapay’s wake will be in Pinili, Ilocos Norte until her burial, set after her birthday on September 16.

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