Daisy Hontiveros-Avellana, is one of Philippines' National Artist in Theater.
Daisy Hontiveros was born on January 26, 1917 in Roxas City, Capiz. In 1939, she married Lamberto Vera Avellana. While raising a family and surviving war, poverty, calamity and the turmoil years, she and her husband blazed a trail in local film and theater. In time, both became National Artists with shared body of work that remains unsurpassed in the Philippine Art. Lamberto was declared National Artist for Theater and Film in 1976, and Daisy was named National Artist for Theater in 1999.
Daisy has become a successful actor, writer and director. She elevated genuine theater and dramatic arts into a new level excellence. She has staged and performed in breakthrough productions of classic Filipino and foreign plays, she encouraged the establishment of performing groups and professionalization of Filipino theater.
In 1939, along with her husband, Lamberto, and other 48 artist-friends in the Philippines, they co-founded the Barangay Theater Guild (BTG) which paved the way for the popularization of theatre and dramatic arts in the country through radio and television. Now, BTG is the oldest existing theater company in the country.
"When the time does come for the Filipino national theater to emerge and take its place at center stage, we who were young in 1939 may no longer be on the scene, but we shall be watching, in spirit, from the wings."
-- Daisy Hontiveros-Avellana
Daisy Avellana has starred in the following:
Plays
• 1953 - Othello
• 1959 - Macbeth in Black
• 1967 - Casa de Bernarda Alba
• Tartarin
Directorial Credits
• 1968 - Diego Silang
• 1971 - Walang Sugat
Screenplays
• 1939 - Sakay
• 1955 - Portrait of the Artist as Filipino
Daisy is also best remembered for her portrayal of "Candida Marasigan" on stage and film versions of Nick Joaquin's Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.
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