Wednesday, September 10, 2008
DEAR TIYA DELY
Among my fondest childhood memories were the afternoons with my mother as she attended to some mundane chores, while I played with my toy cars. Almost always, our soundtrack was provided by the Sony transistor radio tuned in to a program hosted by Tiya Dely Magpayo, the veritable on-air counselor of the love-struck and lovelorn.
It was only today I learned from Carla that Tiya Dely had just passed away after suffering a stroke. Moreover, according to an article by Bayani San Diego Jr. and Cyril Bonabente of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tiya Dely was working in the radio booth of dzRH when she had the stroke on Saturday at 11:30 p.m., while hosting the program “Serenata Kolektibista”, which features one of her many longtime passions, kundiman and rondalla music.
Tiya Dely hosted radio shows for nearly seven decades, earning her the title "First Lady of Philippine Radio." Even in her 80s, she maintained a full schedule at the radio station, hosting a nightly show, “Ang Inyong Tiya Dely,” apart from the weekend program.
She had received many awards for her contributions to the Philippine broadcast industry. Among which were the Pama-As Gintong Bai award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Gawad Plaridel from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
Tiya Dely was among the radio personalities at that time that inspired me to start writing short stories. With the guidance of my grade six teacher at Bonifacio Elementary School, Mrs. Soriano, I became the after recess entertainment on Friday afternoons. She had me read in front of the class the short story I had written for that week. And since she gave me free reign on whatever subject I wanted, I came up with amusing anecdotes based on family scenarios. Those stories never failed to give my classmates a good laugh, including our kindly teacher, Mrs. Soriano.
Thank you and so long, Tiya Dely!
Mother and Child - Kamagong
by Joselito S. Patigado, DS
ContreraSculptures@updiliman.com
Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 0.625 sec (5/8)
Aperture: f/9
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/6 EV
ISO Speed: 100
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Labels: Growing up memoirs, life in Manila
posted by Señor Enrique at 2:46 PM
20 Comments:
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escape said... may her soul rest in peace. never had the chance to really listen to her via the radio. maybe because i rarely listen to it.
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Señor Enrique said...
When I was a kid, donG, although there was already a TV set in the house, most stations didn't start until the late afternoon; hence radio continued to rule as a major source of entertainment and news.
If I remembered it correctly, Tiya Dely's program came on mid-afternoon, and then followed by Kuya Eddie.
These days, people mostly listen to the radio only in their cars.-
nutart said...
I would listen to Tiya Dely once in a while. There was Kuya Cesar and Kuya Eddie too :-). But then what struck me was the advices they would give to the listeners who gave their stories. They always advised compassion, understanding and love. All said in quite poetic manner.
Stories also told over radio were quite mesmerizing. For me, the way these radio programs were written were quite good! I took up some subjects on radio broadcasting and I really had fun. It takes up a lot of creative juices and the challenge was keeping time (to the second!). There was a huge clock where the assistant director is supposed to use to keep everyone (from record spinner to voice talents) alert about how much time is still available. A little over two seconds and we fail the exercise. Fun and scary at the same time!
So whenever I would listen to programs like Tiya Dely I would marvel at the suave professionalism which she and her crew had!-
Photo Cache said...
didn't she used to say: ito ang inyong tia dely? her voice was soothing and i can't remember if my mom has it on [she was more fond of the dramas on radio], but somehow i have listened to her.
she has returned to her maker and hope she's happier where she is. she made a lot of people happy.-
Unknown said...
A beautiful lamp!
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Señor Enrique said...
Wow! Thanks for sharing with us some behind-the-scenes of radio programming, Bernadette!
Yes, at least from what I remember, both Tiya Dely and Kuya Eddie had soothing voices, including the cadence in their delivery.
I sometimes listen to the radio, especially for breaking news on the weather, though both it and TV news programs, I notice, tend to be too noisy; the latter's early morning news shows in particular. They seem to be speaking in louder tones than necessary, while the female on-camera talents tend to have shrieking voices.
As for the radio, I guess, it's their overly concern for "dead air", that local news-oriented radio personalities tend to dabble too much on sound effects -- interjecting pre-recorded silly noises/phrases even during in-between sentences. They can be annoying.
Perhaps, I'm just getting too critical on the local radio and TV culture.-
Señor Enrique said...
I think Tiya Dely's advice programs featured dramatizations (if I remember correctly), Photo Cache. But the overall effects of which are indeed soothing as you said.
Yes, Tiya Dely had a marvelous life. She spent it doing what she loved. What a blessing!-
Señor Enrique said...
That's a faux Tiffany lamp, Luke ... thanks!
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said... that is some sad news. if i remember correctly, my lola use to listen to her on the radio. including those radio dramas, hehehe. come to think of it, during those times, it was very amusing. i'm sure tiya dely will be greatly missed. may her kind sould rest in peace...
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Señor Enrique said...
I haven't listened to any of her radio programs, Nell, when I returned to Manila and now, I wonder if Tiya had in fact kept up with the times.
The reason I ask this question is on account of a talk radio program the taxi driver had tuned into as he drove me home one evening. On the phone was a young gay man bearing his heartaches over a school buddy he fell in love. I wonder how Tiya Dely would have handled that?
Anyway, with relatives and friends of my mother who sought her advice back then, I'm sure mom borrowed some words of wisdom from Tiya Dely as well.-
ka tony said...
Hi Eric,
Thanks for letting us know about this sad news. Dely Magpayo was an icon of the most effective & powerful medium of the 40s, 60s & early 70s, the Radio.
Besides Tiya Dely, there was Luz Matcastro, Kuya Eddie & Kuya Cesar! But Tiya Dely was always giving advises straight to the point or "point blank" on air like, "...bakit mo ginawa 'yon? eh kung hindi ka ba naman tanga eh"
Tiya Dely & Kuya Eddie's "Kahapon Lamang" were the soundtrack of my afternoon while doing my homework furnished by our neighbor who turned her radio in full volume!!! And as I hear the exit music of Kuya Eddie's "Kahapon Lamang" & I still have more homework to do, ...it means its late & I'm screwed!
The reason why these radio programs were so popular & had a very high ratings, not only because there was no TV yet, but the beauty of radio is this medium give the listener the freedom to use their imagination!
Eric, do you remember radio series like "Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, Prinsepe Amante, Darna, Kapitan Kidlat, Gabi ng Lagim, etc... These were all high rating radio programs that lasted years. Why? not only because we had great radio talents who delivered their dialog with feeling & so well, but like reading a novel the reader have the chance or freedom to "imagine" the scene, characters, art direction, set, costume, etc... it was colorful & unlimited! How many times "best seller novel" put in to a movie, almost always its a flop.
When TV came they tried & produced these radio series like, Kapitan Kidlat, Darna & others, unfortunately they didn't made the ratings. Poor direction, acting, art direction & I should say no creativity on concept & production! With all these happening in the media; acting, delivery, actors, directors are getting awful.
While on a TV set & a "teleserya" is on, try closing your eyes & just listen without watching the whole TV program, you can understand the whole story, might be better 'cuz you have your own visual that's much, much better than the acting, ...if we can consider these TV personalities acting!
Meron pa kayang pagasa ang ating sining sa penikula na tayong mga Pilipino ang nagpasimuno sa buong Asia?
sabi nga ng sumakabilang buhay na si
Ben David, "ngit-ngit ni Hudas, ...O!!! hindi!"
salamt na muli Eric,
ka tony-
JayAshKal said...
Truly sad and an end of an era, not only in Pinoy radio but the whole entertainment business.
I did not even know tha Tiya Dely still on the radio. I am a big fan of the radio as a small boy, until now when I do commute to and from work. The radio and the right program and music keep me sane.
Goodbye Tiya Dely and Maraming Salamat Po!
Mario-
Señor Enrique said...
She will be sorely missed, Mario. She was truly an icon.
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Señor Enrique said...
"The reason why these radio programs were so popular & had a very high ratings, not only because there was no TV yet, but the beauty of radio is this medium give the listener the freedom to use their imagination!"
That is right, Ka Tony!
Even though there was Superman on TV, I somehow craved for the radio programs like "Gabi ng Lagim" in which the show was preceded by a howling dog.
And of course, Lola Basyang!
I guess, listening to those radio programs inspired me to reading short stories and then lengthy novels later on because I started preferring to have my imagination take an active part in those stories that I immersed myself in.
I never watch any of the current evening teleserye because for the most part, they're basically variations of the same theme. But nonetheless, the local folks couldn't have enough. I spoke to a grade school teacher and she complained about some of her students coming to school late. The reason: they stay up late at night watching those TV soap operas. Unbelievable! When I was a kid, we were allowed to watch only until 9pm on school nights, and that was after we had done our our homework.
As for our local movie industry, all I could say is that it should have become as big as Bollywood!-
said...
It is sad to hear the passing of an icon in the Pinoy radio industry. Tia Dely's voice was uniquely caring, compassionate and refreshing to the soul.
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Señor Enrique said...
She was a national treasure if I may say so, BW.
To alleviate the sadness I felt for her passing, I marvel instead on the wonderful life she had. Imagine doing what you enjoy most and getting paid for it. What a glorious blessing, indeed.-
said...
this is a bit off track. is Eddie Ilarde still around? I remember him from Student Canteen and Lunch Date - those noontime shows we used to watch with our yayas as kids. i just thought abuot it when nutart mentioned kuya eddie a few responses up.
i was arguing with another artist one time when a man, who i think was Eddie Ilarde passed by the gallery the other day. my friend said he's already dead and the man couldn't be him. we argued and to settle it, i tried to look for the man near the gallery. but alas, he was nowhere to be found for me to ask him and perhaps settle our little argument.
silly of me to still be bothered by this.-
Señor Enrique said...
Oh, yeah ... Student Canteen with Layla Benitez, Eddie Ilarde, Bobby Ledesma, and their pianist ... Pascual (forgot his first name).
I may be wrong but I think Kuya Eddie is still alive. It's Eddie Mercado who has passed away (from cancer).-
niceheart said...
I think you were born to be a good story-teller. :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Gosh, thanks much, Irene!
