Ama Quiambao was a Filipino actress known for her roles in films like Himala and Diablo. She began her career in theater in the 1970s and made her film debut in 1982 in Himala, earning a best supporting actress nomination. Later in her career, she won best actress for her role in Diablo in 2012. She suffered a heart attack in 2013 while performing in a play and passed away at age 65.

1. Ama Quiambao

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.[2] She later earned her Master's degree in Drama Education
from the University of the Philippines. 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.

6. Film
• Ama made her film debut in 1982, when she starred in the
movie Himala (Miracle), directed by Ishmael Bernal.[1] 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.

7. • 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.[2] Lusing was a very serious, strict character in the
film, which Quiambao described as the opposite of her own
personality.

8. • Her work in Diablo earned Quiambao the first acting award of her
career.[2][3] In 2012, she won "Best Actress in the New Breed
category" at the 8th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.[1][2] 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."[2] 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."

9. 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.[1][3] She died at Capitol
Medical Center in Quezon City at 8:09 p.m. on July 5, 2013, at the age of
65.[1] Her funeral was held at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon
City.[1][3] 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.

10. Filmography
Title Role Year
Himala Sepa 1982
Misteryo sa Tuwa Ada 1984
Sex Object 1985
Virgin Forest Nana Isay 1985
Guwapings: The First Adventure 1992

11. Kailan Dalawa Ang Mahal? 1993
Guwapings Dos 1993
Ayoko Na Sanang Magmahal 1993
Gaano Kita Kamahal Rolly's mother 1993
Nag-Iisang Bituin 1994

12. Hataw Na! Linda Paguio 1995
Impakto Lumeng 1996
Bayarang Puso Pacita 1996
Bakit May Kahapon Pa? Madrigal's Sister 1996
Radio Romance Viring Palacios 1996

13. Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon 1996
Dyesebel Instructress 1996
Sanggano Lady Judge 1997
Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Iibigin Tita Lena 1998
Curacha: Ang Babaeng Walang
Pahinga
Nun 1998

14. Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko Beth's Aunt 1999
Mahal Kita, Walang Iwanan Cynthia's Aunt 2000
Minsan, Minahal Kita Ellen 2000
Laro Sa Baga Nana Trining 2000
Ano Bang Meron Ka? Nun 1 2001

15. Masamang Ugat Alicia 2003
Let the Love Begin Aling Bella 2005
Tuli 2005
Kaleldo 2006
Moments of Love Old Ceding 2006

16. Pandanggo
Aunt Hermie (segment "It Takes
Two to Tango")
2006
Pisay Lola 2007
Sisa Lola Ising 2008
Tarot Nana Upeng 2009
I Love Dreamguyz Lola Lagring 2009

17. Layang Bilanggo Lola Maggie 2010
Diablo 2012
Loida Lola Tining 2012
Ang Misis ni Meyor 2013
Amor y Muerte 2013
Ang Kwento ni Mabuti (Her Last
Movie)
2013