Paul Christian Ocampo

Honoring Matutina and her support roles that transcend the screen

Article (news)

Push Team

<p>Comedienne Evelyn Bontogon-Guerrero, fondly known as Matutina, may have passed, but her legacy lives on through the characters and projects she brought to life, beyond just her iconic squeaky voice.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>John En Marsha (1973-1991)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1263" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9DQnWMeW3f4" title="‘John En Marsha Ngayon (’91)’ FULL MOVIE P| Dolphy, Nida Blanca,  Maricel Soriano | Cinema One" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Fans of the comedy classic <em>John en Marsha</em> will always remember Matutina and her squeaky voice. In the series, she plays Matutina, the serving maid of Doña Delilah G. Jones, portrayed by the late Dely Atay-Atayan. The two often visit Comedy King Dolphy’s character, John Puruntong, at his house, where Doña Delilah would frequently insult John, telling him, &quot;Magsumikap ka!&quot;</p><p>The series, which also starred Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, and Kapamilya actress Maricel Soriano, originally aired in 1973. It spawned multiple movie adaptations from 1974 to 1991. These include <em>John &amp; Marsha sa Amerika (Part Two) (1975), John &amp; Marsha &#x27;77 (1977), John &amp; Marsha &#x27;80 (1980), John &amp; Marsha &#x27;85 (Sa Probinsya) (1985), John &amp; Marsha &#x27;86: TNT sa Amerika (1986)</em>, and J<em>ohn en Marsha Ngayon &#x27;91 (1991).</em></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Kapag Baboy Ang Inutang (1984)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1263" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sK7T2B5a3xA" title="Dumadamoves si Manoy | Kapag Baboy Ang Inutang | Cinemaone" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Matutina appeared in numerous movies during her prime, one of which was <em>Kapag Baboy Ang Inutang</em>, which starred late veteran actors Eddie Garcia and Ronaldo Valdez. In this film, she once again portrayed a servant to <em>John en Marsha </em>co-star Dely Atay-Atayan. The story revolved around piggery business rivals trying to outdo one another. The movie also featured comedy icon Babalu and &#x27;80s heartthrob Rey PJ Abellana.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Quizon Avenue (2005-2006)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1263" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Y3m9YjxTKc" title="LAUGHTRIP: Matutina, bilang madramang metro aide | Jeepney TV" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>She reunited with the late comedy royalty Dolphy in 2005 for the sketch comedy show <em>Quizon Avenue.</em> The show, which ran until 2006, also featured Dolphy’s children, Epy, Vandolph, and Eric Quizon, along with comediennes Kitkat and Pokwang. Coincidentally, <em>Quizon Avenue</em> was replaced by the <em>John en Marsha</em> spin-off <em>John en Shirley</em>, which focused on Maricel Soriano’s character Shirley and her married life.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Sosy Problems (2012)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1263" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tJ205HEaTdU" title="GMA Films&#x27; &quot;Sosy Problems&quot; Official Movie Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>In 2012, Matutina joined the cast of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry <em>Sosy Problems,</em> alongside Rhian Ramos, Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, and Bianca King. She portrayed Siri, the ever-reliable nanny to Rhian&#x27;s character, Lizzie, a spoiled-rich hotelier’s daughter. <em>Sosy Problems</em> follows four &quot;conyo&quot; friends who risk everything to save their cherished polo club from being replaced by a mall.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>She’s Dating The Gangster (2014)</strong></div><div><iframe width="1263" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/puDBUc710LI" title="Gigil si Athena kay Kenji! | &#x27;Shes&#x27; Dating The Gangster&#x27; | Movie Clips" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Matutina&#x27;s last film was the 2014 blockbuster romantic comedy <em>She&#x27;s Dating the Gangster.</em> In this web novel adaptation, she portrayed Nana Buding, the caring maid in the Delos Reyes household of Daniel Padilla’s characters, Kenneth and Kenji. The movie follows Athena, a teen played by Kathryn Bernardo, who finds herself pretending to be Kenji&#x27;s girlfriend. As fate and circumstances unfold, they grow closer, leading to an unexpected connection and heartbreak.</p><p>As reliable and caring as her past &quot;yaya&quot; roles, Matutina was just as helpful in real life. In an interview with MJ Felipe, her daughter Shiela Guerrero shared that her mother was incredibly supportive, always offering help to others. She also drew strength from her loved ones while fighting personal battles, including undergoing dialysis.</p><p>The comedienne passed away due to acute respiratory failure, according to prior reports, on February 14 at the age of 78. Her remains are set to be cremated on February 21.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/17/family-of-late-matutina-shares-her-last-days-and-struggle-with-kidney-disease-1900" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>SEE RELATED STORY: Family of late Matutina shares her last days and struggle with kidney disease</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>—By Jemuel Tandoc</p>

<p>Let’s honor comedienne Evelyn Bontogon-Guerrero, better known as Matutina. Though she may have passed, we’ll remember this iconic woman not just for her high-pitched voice, but for the characters and projects she left behind.</p>

Let’s honor comedienne Evelyn Bontogon-Guerrero, better known as Matutina. Though she may have passed, we’ll remember this iconic woman not just for her high-pitched voice, but for the characters and projects she left behind.