Maria Josefa Cruz (August 21, 1921 – April 14, 1992), better known by her screen name Matimtiman Cruz, was a Filipina radio personality, actress and comedian.

Matimtiman Cruz
Born
Maria Josefa Cruz

(1921-08-21)August 21, 1921
DiedApril 14, 1992(1992-04-14) (aged 70)
Resting placeLoyola Memorial Cemetery, Marikina
NationalityFilipina
Other namesAling Epang[1]
CitizenshipFilipino
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian, radio personality
Years active1955–1987
EmployerSampaguita Picture
SpousePerfecto Ursua Manego Sr.
Partner(s)Jaime Llave, popularly known as Balot
ChildrenVeronidia, Angelito, Perfecto "Jun", Wilfredo
Awards1969 FAMAS nominee for Best Supporting Actress for "IKAW"

Career

edit

Matimtiman started her movie career with Sampaguita Pictures. She later switched to comedy becoming one of the favorite and highly paid comedian in the 1950s.[2] She was featured in 96 films from 1955 to 1988, mostly performing comedic roles.

Personal life

edit

She was married to Perfecto Ursua Manego, writer/director - in DZRH, DZPI and channel 11 (died December 1968), wherein they had 4 children - Veronidia, Angelito, Perfecto "Jun Cruz", and Wilfredo "Willy Cruz".

Her longtime partner, Jaime Llave, an actor-comedian who was best known by his screen name Balot - stood as the father of her children.[3]

Awards

edit

Before she joined the movies, Matimtiman was voted as Miss Batangas in 1937 as well as Bb. Ilang-ilang ng Silangan (Miss Ilang-ilang of the East).[4]

As an actress, Matimtiman was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 1970 FAMAS Awards, then the only film awards in the Philippines, for the 1969 movie "Kapatid Ko Ang Aking Ina".[5]

Death

edit

Matimtiman died on April 14, 1992, at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, at the age of 70.

Filmography

edit

An incomplete list of movies Matimtiman Cruz appeared in:

Film Year
Stupid Cupid 1988
Bata-batuta 1987
Di bale na lang 1987
Mga paru-parong buking 1985
Nagalit ang patay sa haba ng lamay 1985
Palengke Queen 1982
Stariray 1981
Tacio 1981
Dolphy's Angels 1980
'Eto na naman si Asiong Aksaya! 1980
Nognog 1980
Pinoy Boxer 1980
Awat na, Asiong Aksaya! 1979
Stepsisters 1979
Butsoy 1978
Gorgonya 1978
Jack and Poy 1977
Asiong Aksaya 1977
Kamay na gumagapang 1974
Oh Margie Oh 1974
Somewhere Over the Rainbow 1974
Carmela 1973
Florinda 1973
Kondesang basahan 1973
Maalaala mo kaya? 1973
And God Smiled at Me 1972
Ang gangster at ang birhen 1972
Anghel ng pag-ibig 1972
Just Married, Do Not Disturb 1972
Kung may gusot, may lusot 1972
Pinokyo en Little Snow White 1972
The Sisters 1972
Winter Holiday 1972
Batuta ni Drakula 1971
Bulilit Cinderella 1971
Liezl at ang 7 hoods 1971
Madonna 1971
Portrait of an Angel 1971
Querida mia 1971
Sweet Caroline 1971
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 1971
Bakit ako pa? 1970
For You, Mama 1970
Nasaan ka, Inay? 1970
Ricky na, Tirso pa! 1970
Sweet Matutinna 1970
9 Teeners 1969
Bittersweet 1969
Drakulita 1969
Jinkee 1969
Kapatid ko ang aking ina 1969
Let's Dance the Horsey-Horse 1969
Bahay kubo, kahit munti 1968
Deborrah 1968
Elizabeth 1968
Pitong krus ng isang ina 1968
Cinderella A-Go-Go 1967
Way Out in the Country 1967
All Over the World 1967
Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak 1967
Pogi 1967
Miranda: Ang Lagalag na Sirena 1966
Jamboree '66 1966
Viva Ranchera' ' 1966
Iginuhit ng Tadhana (The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story) 1965
Apat Na Kagandahan 1965
Gintong Recuerdo 1965
Hamon sa Kampeon 1965
Lastikman 1965
Portrait of My Love 1965
Hi-sosayti 1964
Sa bilis, walang kaparis 1964
Pag-ibig, ikaw ang maysala 1964
From Tokyo with Love 1964
Mga bata ng lagim 1964
Umibig ay di biro 1964
Ang bukas ay akin! 1963
Trudis liit 1963
Sabina 1963
Lab na lab kita 1962
Tulisan 1962
Amaliang Mali-Mali 1962
Susanang daldal 1962
Tindahan ni Aling Epang 1961
Dayukdok 1961
Octavia 1961
Lupa sa lupa 1960
Tanikalang apoy 1959
Baby bubut 1958
Tatlong ilaw sa dambana 1958
Anino ni Bathala 1958
Talipandas 1958
Ate Barbara 1957
Batang bangkusay 1957
Diyosa 1957
Batas ng alipin 1955

References

edit
  1. ^ "Matimtiman Cruz biography". IMDB.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
  2. ^ "Dolphy. Chiquito at iba pang Komedyante ng Pilipinas-huwag mo akong patawanin Part 2". PiNaysaAmerika. Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
  3. ^ "IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  4. ^ Lo, Ricardo F. (2007-04-19). "Their Majesty: Showbiz other beauty queens" Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine. Newsflash.org. Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
  5. ^ "18th FAMAS Awards (1969) Archived 2008-10-30 at the Wayback Machine. Unofficial Website of the FAMAS Awards. Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
edit