How Lilia Cuntapay, by accident, became a favorite for horror films
MANILA -- Who doesn't remember the toothless old woman with long white hair who was in almost every local horror film during the 1990s?
Described by award-winning director Peque Gallaga as that of a real "aswang," no one cared to know her name though until 2011, when the award-winning mockumentary "Six Degrees of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay" gave a name to the unforgettable face.
Broadcast journalist Anthony Taberna met with Lilia Cuntapay for "Tapatan ni Tunying" on Thursday.
Cuntapay recalled that she got her big acting break in 1991 on the very first "Shake, Rattle and Roll" film, where she worked as a talent coordinator.
"Mayroon pong eksena doon that you have to eat the food -- mga atay, sariwang atay, 'yung mga balunbalunan, lamang loob. Sa tingin ko hindi nila nagustuhan 'yung acting nung character na 'yun," she said.
"Eh ako naman po, 'yan lang hindi mo na kayang kainin eh. Aswang ka nga eh. So kinuha ko po 'yung plate na puno ng food. Hindi ko naman po alam na maglalaway po ako ng dugo-dugo. Hindi ko rin alam na nakatutok na po 'yung camera sa akin. Tapos narinig ko, sabi, 'Okay pala 'yung matandang 'yun eh," she continued.
Director Gallaga said he couldn't believe how Cuntapay resembled the aswang of his imagination.
"Basta alam ko nandoon siya. Hindi ko alam kung sino siya. And then when we were editing, I said, 'Take a look at this woman. Ito 'yung talagang, look at her face, para siyang aswang talaga," he said.
Cuntapay went on to feature in over 70 horror films and shows, including other "Shake, Rattle and Roll" movies, "Okatokat" and "Wansapanataym."
Cuntapay admitted that she was often the object of ridicule because of her roles.
"Mayroon mag-asawa na nakasulabong namin, sabi nung husband ng buntis, 'ikaw, pagnakunan 'yung asawa ko, papatayin kita.' Sabi ko, 'Ako, tao ako. Hindi naman ako aswang kahit pangit man ako pero wag mo akong iinsultuhin ng ganyan," Cuntapay told Taberna.
"Tiniis ko lahat 'yun. Kasi come to think na kung halimbawa, natakot nga sila, ibig sabihin 'yung acting ko is effective," she said.
Cuntapay, 78, said her only regret in life was not having any children or a family of her own.
"Yun nga lang po ang kinalulungkot ko, wala na po akong paghahandogan," she said.
Her greatest fear
Cunatapay also shared that her greatest fear is either dying in pain or in hunger.
"Yung ako ay maghirap na maghirap bago ako bawian ng panginoon Diyos ng buhay, na ako'y mamatay sa gutom," she said.
When asked on whether she wanted to be remembered as the toothless old woman with long white hair, Cuntapay quipped: "Gusto kong maiwanan sa kanila kung talagang niyong pumasok sa larangan ng horror, eh manalamin kayo kung kaya niyong manakot."
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
