The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) expresses sorrow and grief over the passing of producer and film industry leader Maria Azucena “Marichu” Vera-Perez Maceda. She passed away at the age of 77 on September 7, 2020.

Fondly called as Manay Ichu, Maceda is regarded as one of the matriarchs of Philippine Cinema. Hailing from the Vera-Perez clan that owned the famed Sampaguita Pictures, Maceda worked in the costume and wardrobe department, had story and screenplay credits, and became a producer. She was the executive producer of “Dyesebel” (1978) by Anthony Taylor and “Batch ‘81” (1982) by Mike de Leon.

Maceda’s tireless efforts for the Filipino film industry went beyond the screen. She helped establish the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association (PMPPA), Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP), and the FDCP where she headed the International Film Festival Committee (IFFCOM). Prior to the creation of the FDCP through the ratification of Republic Act No. 9167 in 2002, Maceda served as the Chairperson of the Film Development Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. 

“Philippine Cinema is fortunate to have Manay Ichu Maceda as one of its dedicated, passionate, and beloved matriarchs. She was a film industry leader who pioneered a lot of legislation resulting in the institution of policies, programs, and agencies that form the backbone of our film industry,” noted FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra.

“An exceptional force in the film industry, Manay Ichu lived and breathed movies because she was born into it. And until her final days, she relentlessly fought to make sure that the industry remains sustainable,” added Diño-Seguerra, who thanked Maceda for her invaluable accomplishments in helping found and leading organizations that are now the pillars of Philippine Cinema. 

For her significant contributions to the film industry of the Philippines, Maceda was hailed as among the “Stalwarts of MMFF” and was given the Natatanging Gawad Urian or Lifetime Achievement Award by the Gawad Urian. In 2018, she was honored by the FDCP for being a Filipino film industry matriarch during the Sine Sandaan event “A Spotlight on Mothers of Philippine Cinema” at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.