# Matimtiman Cruz

Maria Josefa Cruz (August 21, 1921 – April 14, 1992), better known by her screen name Matimtiman Cruz, was a Filipina radio personality, actress and comedian.

## Career

Matimtiman started her movie career with Sampaguita Pictures. She later switched to comedy becoming one of the favorite and highly paid comedian in the 1950s. She was featured in 96 films from 1955 to 1988, mostly performing comedic roles.

## Personal life

She was married to Perfecto Ursua Manego, writer/director - in DZRH, DZPI and channel 11 (died December 1968), wherein they had 4 children - Veronidia, Angelito, Perfecto "Jun Cruz", and Wilfredo "Willy Cruz".
Her longtime partner, Jaime Llave, an actor-comedian who was best known by his screen name Balot - stood as the father of her children.

## Awards

Before she joined the movies, Matimtiman was voted as Miss Batangas in 1937 as well as Bb. Ilang-ilang ng Silangan (Miss Ilang-ilang of the East).
As an actress, Matimtiman was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 1970 FAMAS Awards, then the only film awards in the Philippines, for the 1969 movie "Kapatid Ko Ang Aking Ina".

## Death

Matimtiman died on April 14, 1992, at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, at the age of 70.

## Filmography

An incomplete list of movies Matimtiman Cruz appeared in:
| Film | Year |
| Stupid Cupid | 1988 |
| Bata-batuta | 1987 |
| Di bale na lang | 1987 |
| Mga paru-parong buking | 1985 |
| Nagalit ang patay sa haba ng lamay | 1985 |
| Palengke Queen | 1982 |
| Stariray | 1981 |
| Tacio | 1981 |
| Dolphy's Angels | 1980 |
| 'Eto na naman si Asiong Aksaya! | 1980 |
| Nognog | 1980 |
| Pinoy Boxer | 1980 |
| Awat na, Asiong Aksaya! | 1979 |
| Stepsisters | 1979 |
| Butsoy | 1978 |
| Gorgonya | 1978 |
| Jack and Poy | 1977 |
| Asiong Aksaya | 1977 |
| Kamay na gumagapang | 1974 |
| Oh Margie Oh | 1974 |
| Somewhere Over the Rainbow | 1974 |
| Carmela | 1973 |
| Florinda | 1973 |
| Kondesang basahan | 1973 |
| Maalaala mo kaya? | 1973 |
| And God Smiled at Me | 1972 |
| Ang gangster at ang birhen | 1972 |
| Anghel ng pag-ibig | 1972 |
| Just Married, Do Not Disturb | 1972 |
| Kung may gusot, may lusot | 1972 |
| Pinokyo en Little Snow White | 1972 |
| The Sisters | 1972 |
| Winter Holiday | 1972 |
| Batuta ni Drakula | 1971 |
| Bulilit Cinderella | 1971 |
| Liezl at ang 7 hoods | 1971 |
| Madonna | 1971 |
| Portrait of an Angel | 1971 |
| Querida mia | 1971 |
| Sweet Caroline | 1971 |
| Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star | 1971 |
| Bakit ako pa? | 1970 |
| For You, Mama | 1970 |
| Nasaan ka, Inay? | 1970 |
| Ricky na, Tirso pa! | 1970 |
| Sweet Matutinna | 1970 |
| 9 Teeners | 1969 |
| Bittersweet | 1969 |
| Drakulita | 1969 |
| Jinkee | 1969 |
| Kapatid ko ang aking ina | 1969 |
| Let's Dance the Horsey-Horse | 1969 |
| Bahay kubo, kahit munti | 1968 |
| Deborrah | 1968 |
| Elizabeth | 1968 |
| Pitong krus ng isang ina | 1968 |
| Cinderella A-Go-Go | 1967 |
| Way Out in the Country | 1967 |
| All Over the World | 1967 |
| Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak | 1967 |
| Pogi | 1967 |
| Miranda: Ang Lagalag na Sirena | 1966 |
| Jamboree '66 | 1966 |
| Viva Ranchera' ' | 1966 |
| Iginuhit ng Tadhana (The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story) | 1965 |
| Apat Na Kagandahan | 1965 |
| Gintong Recuerdo | 1965 |
| Hamon sa Kampeon | 1965 |
| Lastikman | 1965 |
| Portrait of My Love | 1965 |
| Hi-sosayti | 1964 |
| Sa bilis, walang kaparis | 1964 |
| Pag-ibig, ikaw ang maysala | 1964 |
| From Tokyo with Love | 1964 |
| Mga bata ng lagim | 1964 |
| Umibig ay di biro | 1964 |
| Ang bukas ay akin! | 1963 |
| Trudis liit | 1963 |
| Sabina | 1963 |
| Lab na lab kita | 1962 |
| Tulisan | 1962 |
| Amaliang Mali-Mali | 1962 |
| Susanang daldal | 1962 |
| Tindahan ni Aling Epang | 1961 |
| Dayukdok | 1961 |
| Octavia | 1961 |
| Lupa sa lupa | 1960 |
| Tanikalang apoy | 1959 |
| Baby bubut | 1958 |
| Tatlong ilaw sa dambana | 1958 |
| Anino ni Bathala | 1958 |
| Talipandas | 1958 |
| Ate Barbara | 1957 |
| Batang bangkusay | 1957 |
| Diyosa | 1957 |
| Batas ng alipin | 1955 |