Who is Tato Malay and why is he talking about his mom, Virgie Benigno Malay and Queen of Philippine Movies Gloria Romero?
For your information, Tato is a popular public figure.
Aside from being a spiritual adviser, who pioneered in the philosophical movement or a new way to view life called Kamalayan (Consciousness), its Filipino name is a concoction, purportedly and/or incidentally, of his family name Malay (with the prefix "ka-an").
"Malay," a Tagalog word, an etymology or root word which means consciousness.
Tato is also an established musician with multifaceted talent.
When Tato started his showbiz career, he was a writer in various TV shows after graduation from college.
After his stint in TV productions, he went into marketing of recordings--LP (long play albums) or 45 rpm and other formats--of singers such as Sharon Cuneta, Rey Valera etc.
He was the one arranging for TV guestings, promotions and other advertising initiatives of talents.
As he got along well in the adprom of singers, he himself was a member of the singing group dubbed as Wadab that popularized the song "Habang Tumatagal, Lalong Tumitibay."
After five decades, though, Tato is into Kamalayan, an expanding group of believers in unlearning a lot of things to improve quality of life by positive thinking.
He occasionally writes for OpinYon.
Malay was the one who introduced his mom Virgie to the digital world where she became a wizard even in her old age and the celebration of her centenary a few years ago.
Before Virgie Malay's death, Tato made known that her mother, sister to the highly esteemed journalist Teddy Benigno, was a teacher of Gloria Romero.
It was a fusion of the teachings of Kamalayan and the good news of the legacy of education particularly in the demise of Gloria, Queen of Philippine Movies.
"Estudyante ng nanay ko si Gloria Romero (She was student of my mother)," proudly exclaimed Tato.
Gloria was in elementary grades in Pangasinan when Aling (a term of endearment to an older woman) Virgie taught the budding actress after the Pacific War.
Romero, Gloria Anne Borrego Galla in real life, learned a lot not only about English and Filipino but also about positive values from Aling Virgie that she was able to equip herself with in life, in and outside show business.
With the aid of multimedia, Gloria and Aling Virgie were reconnected three years ago, before their deaths (Vitgie Malay died January 30, 2023) through Pia Arcangel' "Tunay na Buhay" show in GMA Network while Gloria passed on January 25, 2025.
“Pareho ang death month nila (They died the same month),” quipped Tato.
In the video interview, Romero said she was very excited to see her former teacher even virtually.
Tato is proud that a legendary actress as Gloria Romero was able to acculturate through his mom.
The power of viewing life from a different perspective has worked in both the teacher and the pupil.
Gloria recently died although she was diagnosed with no ailments except vertigo.
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