For almost seven decades now, Tiya Dely remains on top as a radio superstar. Yet she is more than that, for Tiya Dely was also an athlete, a singer and a movie actress.

At 86, she is the epitome of elegance — fair and slender and regal — physical attributes that compliment her stature as the Filipinos’ national confidante.

"I was an athlete kaya siguro medyo diretso akong tumayo," she has said when complimented about her bearing. "And I was trained to be lady-like in school."

"My first passion was baseball, and then I did softball. I also tried track and field but my favorite is softball. My unfulfilled dream was my inability to be a volleyball athlete for the Olympic games. Nagkagiyera kasi."

The early frustration didn’t ruffle Tiya Dely for she had many aces up her sleeves. For one, she can sing. In fact, singing was her passport to radio superstardom. "During the 40’s, you cannot be a radio personality if you can’t sing," she said.

Her singing talent was first put to good use during the senatorial campaign of Manuel Roxas, where she was one of the featured singers in the political rallies.

"When Roxas won, I was assigned at the Senate and eventually transferred to Malacañang as the confidential secretary of then DFA Secretary Elpidio Quirino, pero actually receptionist lang ako. And because my boss was the Foreign Affairs Secretary, I was influenced into taking Foreign Service."

As a working student, Tiya Dely earned P120 a month. She finished Foreign Service from Far Eastern University with a major in Political Science in 1950, three years before her rebirth as Tiya Dely via DZRH’ "Mga Liham Kay Tiya Dely."

As a singer, she also performed on stage during the Japanese occupation, with actors such as Angel Esmeralda. She also managed to do several records like "Pamaypay ng Maynila" and "Una Kong Pag-ibig."

It is no surprise therefore that when it comes to Filipino music, she has an opinion. And it’s quite strong. "I hope the new singers won’t modernize the kundiman. Even the Christmas songs recorded by Villar Records, minodernize nila. I don't like it. The kundiman should be sang as written by the composers. Bahagi ng culture natin yan."

She continued, "This reminds me of Atang dela Rama, who was so furious when Ryan Cayabyab and Celeste Legazpi modernized her songs. She called me and said, minarder daw ang kanta namin. I just reasoned that it was their style.

"I prefer the kundiman over pop songs because kundiman is forever. These are the works of (Nicanor) Abelardo, (Francisco) Santiago and (Juan) Buencamino like "Bituing Marikit,"" Ako’y Isang Ibong Sawi," and "Madaling Araw." They’re classics."

On the side, Tiya Dely also worked as an actress and appeared in the successful ‘Sebya’ series with Pugo who, she said, had thought her the value of timing in comedy.

For all her accomplishments, she shines most as a radio personality. She is the pioneer in the advice format but she has also tried other shows like the talent search "Hamon sa Kampeon" and the kundiman program "Serenatang Kumbidahan."

When asked about her extra-ordinary staying power, she was thoughtful. "Bakit nga ba,? she mused. "I don’t really think about it but I sure enjoy my work. Hindi naman trabaho itong akin. Haharap ka lang sa mic at magkukuwento. Ano nga kaya? Credibility?"

However, she managed to reveal one of her secrets. "Off the microphone, I am a very good listener. By just listening, I get to learn new things that I share on the air. ‘Di ba, maganda rin yung nakikinig ka lamang?"

As a woman, she has a few passions. "Ang hilig ko lang naman, damit at pagkain." For her wardrobe and ternos, she goes to Nesty of Rafaela, her designer for ten years. I go for vegetables and fish but I also like lechon. Every two hours, I get hungry. Pero kapag sinabi ng tiyan ko na tama na, I would stop eating even if I still have the appetite."

Tiya Dely came from a family of intellectuals. Her grandfather is Miguel Magpayo, who constructed the Barasoain Church in Bulacan.

She was married to the late Col. Leonor Reyes who was in the Traffic Control Group of the Philippine Constabulary. She said, "He was never insecure about my career. He used to be in the military but he retired and joined me on the radio as a writer and director. As a wife, our friends said na takot daw ang husband ko sa akin. He was everybody’s kabarkada, a very kind and understanding man."

"I have three children, Violeta, Delia, and Leonor Jr," she continued. "Hindi mababaw ang luha ko. But I cried when my children died. I lost Violeta to cancer. She was very intelligent. She took two courses from U.E, summa cum laude sa isa, at magna cum laude naman sa pangalawa. My only son Leonor Jr. also died very young. Sa kanya ako nagkaapo sa tuhod, si Jello. My daughter Delia is the one helping me now."

Like her husband, Tiya Dely is also loyal to her friends. "It’s my basic principle. Kapag nakipagkaibigan ka, tapat ka. I will stand by a friend no matter what happen. It doesn’t matter if my decision is unpopular, because I know the truth."

Looking back, she said, "Malaki rin ang utang na loob ko kay (Ramon) Magsaysay. When Florentino Daz made a record as the first Filipino to sail on boat from Hawaii to Philippines, I was sent by DZRH to cover his grand welcome in Malacañang. I was clueless. So, I just stood there amid the throng of male reporters. Eh nahalata yata ni Magsaysay na bagito ako. He approached me, took my microphone at doon nagsalita. Nung bumalik ako sa station, akala nila ang galing-galing ko."

Tiya Dely also considers the ill-fated Magsaysay as the best President of the republic. "He was very much loved by the people. He opened the Palace to the masses. At saka, kapag nagpupunta ‘yan sa Camp Aguinaldo, walang bodyguard. He drives his own car."

She added, "I admire people who love our country, like President (Manuel) Quezon. The Philippines could have been the 49th state of the United States, pero hindi siya pumayag. I also admire heroes like (Jose) Rizal. He was well to do and yet. Ma-tsiks din yun. (Andres) Bonifacio, because he was brave, and the rich young men who sacrificed for the country like (Juan) Luna and Plaridel (Marcelo del Pilar).

Among the present crop of leaders, she singles out Gina de Venecia as the most fascinating. "I admire her strength," she said.

Tiya Dely Magpayo is a remarkable gem and through the years, she has been an icon of grace, professionalism and excellence.

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