Joy Adalia
Best known as the “Queen of Philippine Horror Movies”, 81-year-old Lilia Cuntapay has played scary creatures (often as a “manananggal,” “aswang,” or a white lady) in over 70 local films. But after decades of entertaining people with her scary features, Cuntapay is now appealing to her fans, former co-workers, friends, and movie directors for financial assistance as her spinal cord illness has left her unable to walk.
Since she can no longer work due to her medical condition, Cuntapay hopes that the entertainment industry, as well as her fans, will be able to give her the assistance she needs to recuperate from her condition.
Cuntapay had been staying in her hometown in Gonzaga, Cagayan and had called on the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan (TFLC) of the provincial government of Cagayan to help her move to her son’s (most likely her foster son) home in Pinili, Ilocos Norte. Although the request was not entirely medically related, the TFLC which was created by Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba readily obliged the actress’s request.
The Cagayan Provincial Information Office also filmed a video for Cuntapay so she could relay her message to the people in the industry as well as to the concerned public. In her message, Cuntapay called on former co-workers such as Coco Martin and Vice Ganda to extend her some help.
The team from TFLC who helped transport Cuntapay house revealed that the actress’s condition began to worsen on July 5. She needs immediate medical attention, especially because her condition is preventing her from standing up and walking by herself.
Cuntapay was born in Cabiraoan village in Gonzaga on January 3, 1935. A teacher in her youth, she tried the buy-and-sell business before taking a job at the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
But it was playing an “aswang” and various scary creatures that would make her famous, mostly in the movies and TV series from the 1980s to the early 2000s.
Right now, Cuntapay is under the care of her son in Pinili, Ilocos Norte.
