GMA pays last respects to Tiya Dely

President Arroyo paid her last respects yesteday to Philippine radio icon ‘Tiya Dely,’ who will be laid to rest today.

The President stayed for almost half an hour at the Loyola Memorial Chapel in Marikina City where she talked to the relatives of Tiya Dely, whose real name is Fidela Magpayo.

Tiya Dely was a close friend of Mrs. Arroyo’s parents, the late President Diosdado and Eva Macapagal. The President shared her memories of the time spent by her parents and Tiya Dely together, particularly while ballroom dancing.

For 68 years, Tiya Dely graced the airwaves with her advice on romance and her love for the kundiman and rondalla in two major stations, dzRH and dzMM.

At the age of 87, Tiya Dely suffered a heart attack while hosting her show at dzRH last Aug. 31 and passed away two days later.

National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) executive director Cecile Guidote Alvarez, who accompanied the President during the wake, said Tiya Dely was nominated as a national artist two years ago and the results would come out in June next year.

Alvarez recommended that Tiya Dely be given a Presidential Medal of Merit, which could be done immediately.      — Marvin Sy