Ama Quiambao

Amable Quiambao (January 19, 1947 – July 5, 2013), better known by her stage name, Ama Quiambao, was a Filipino film, television and theater actress in the Philippines. She was best known for her roles in the films Himala and Diablo.

Early life She was born Amable Quiambao on January 19, 1947, in Bacacay, Albay and had two siblings: Medgardo and Lui.

Personal life She was married to former actor and bass-baritone opera singer Gamaliel "Gammy" Viray. The couple had only one son, Ishmael Viray. Her sister, Lui Quiambao-Manansala, is also an actress and her niece, Miriam Quiambao, was a former Binibining Pilipinas Universe winner and 1st runner-up at the Miss Universe 1999. She was also a former instructor of St. Paul University Quezon City for the students of AB Mass Communications.

Theatre Quiambao began her career as a theatre actress. Her first play was "Ang Mga Tagahabi", directed by Rolando Tinio (an adaptation of The Weavers by Gerhart Hauptmann), when she was a drama student at the Philippine Normal University in Manila in the 1970s. She later earned her Master's degree in Drama Education from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She became a regular performer at the Teatro Pilipino and Bulwagang Gantimpala theatre groups at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila. She played the role of President Corazon Aquino at the 1986 political satire "Bongbong at Kris" at CCP's Bulwagang Gantimpala in 1986.

Film Ama made her film debut in 1982, when she starred in the movie Himala (Miracle), directed by Ishmael Bernal. Film director Bernal wanted to cast theatre and radio actors in Himala, so theatre director Rolando Tinio recommended the casting of Quiambao. She was chosen for the role of Sepa, a disciple of the lead character Elsa, played by Nora Aunor. Her role in Himala earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Gawad Urian Awards in 1982. She subsequently appeared in many other films. A restored version of Himala was screened at the 2012 Venice Film Festival to mark its 30th anniversary.

Three decades later, Quiambao was cast as Lusing in the 2012 film, Diablo, which was directed and produced by the married partners Mes de Guzman and Rhea Operaña de Guzman. Lusing was a very serious, strict character in the film, which Quiambao described as the opposite of her own personality.

Her work in Diablo earned Quiambao the first acting award of her career. In 2012, she won "Best Actress in the New Breed category" at the 8th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. In a later interview, Quiambao described her reaction to winning, "I was strangely calm,” she recalled. “I didn’t feel cold; I didn’t cry. I was glad that the trophy was presented to me by Iza [Calzado]. I’ve worked with her a number of times on TV and in the movies. I love that girl." She also said that she was thrilled to see other veteran Filipino actors win Cinemalaya awards that year, including Anita Linda and Eddie Garcia, which she called "the night of senior citizens."

Death Quiambao suffered a heart attack on June 28, 2013, while attending the premiere of the one-act play, Pamamanhikan, in which she was performing as part of the Virgin Labfest 9 theatre festival. She died at Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City at 8:09 p.m. on July 5, 2013, at the age of 65. Her funeral was held at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City. Her younger sister, Lui Quiambao-Manansala, said that "she was surrounded by all members of her family and close relatives. Let us pray for the eternal rest of her soul... Let us all remember Ama with fondness as a colleague, a mentor and a friend." Quiambao's wake was held at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.

Quiambao appeared posthumously in her final film, Ang Kwento Ni Mabuti.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1982 Himala Sepa 1984 Misteryo sa Tuwa Ada 1985 Sex Object 1985 Virgin Forest Nana Isay 1992 Guwapings: The First Adventure 1993 Kailan Dalawa Ang Mahal? 1993 Guwapings Dos 1993 Ayoko Na Sanang Magmahal 1993 Gaano Kita Kamahal Rolly's mother 1994 Nag-Iisang Bituin 1995 Hataw Na! Linda Paguio 1996 Impakto Lumeng 1996 Bayarang Puso Pacita 1996 Bakit May Kahapon Pa? Madrigal's Sister 1996 Radio Romance Viring Palacios 1996 Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon 1996 Dyesebel Instructress 1997 Sanggano Lady Judge 1998 Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Iibigin Tita Lena 1998 Curacha: Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga Nun 1999 Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko Beth's Aunt 2000 Mahal Kita, Walang Iwanan Cynthia's Aunt 2000 Minsan, Minahal Kita Ellen 2000 Laro Sa Baga Nana Trining 2001 Ano Bang Meron Ka? Nun 1 2003 Masamang Ugat Alicia 2005 Let the Love Begin Aling Bella 2005 Tuli 2006 Kaleldo 2006 Moments of Love Old Ceding 2006 Pandanggo Aunt Hermie (segment "It Takes Two to Tango") 2007 Pisay Lola 2008 Sisa Lola Ising 2009 Tarot Nana Upeng 2009 I Love Dreamguyz Lola Lagring 2010 Layang Bilanggo Lola Maggie 2012 Diablo 2012 Loida Lola Tining 2013 Ang Misis ni Meyor 2013 Amor y Muerte 2013 Ang Kwento ni Mabuti (Her Last Movie)

Television Year Title Role 1994–1995 ATBP: Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata Aling Tinay 1998 Bayani Lola 1998-1999 Esperanza Lola Belen 2000 Marinella Carmen 1996–1997 Anna Karenina 2003 Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin 2004 Krystala 2007 Impostora Rosa Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap Hon. Amelia R. Santos 2008 Your Song: Superstar ng Buhay Ko Yaya Komiks: Tiny Tony Lola Marge 2009 Your Song: Boystown Aling Sion The Bud Brothers Nay Enciang 2009–2010 Nagsimula sa Puso Dean dela Peña 2010 Your Song: My Last Romance Yaya Mel 2011–2012 Budoy Atty. Javier Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig Flora Javier 2012 Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis Lola Anita 2012–2013 Sana ay Ikaw na Nga Fortune teller 2008 MMK: Bus Formation Directress MMK: Isda Old Isiang 2012 MMK: Belen Belen 2013 Mundo Mo'y Akin Esperanza