Veteran comedienne Matutina passes away at 78
Matutina dies of acute respiratory failure on February 14, 2025.
Veteran comedienne Matutina, Evelyn Bontogan Guerrero, has passed away in real life, this Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.
She was 78.
Matutina’s daughter Shiela Guerrero confirmed the sad news to GMA News Online via Facebook messenger this morning.
Acute respiratory failure was the stated cause of death in Matutina’s medical certificate.
Matutina’s career in the showbiz industry began as a radio voice talent, where she voiced various characters — women, men, children, and adults — in radio dramas.
She was also one of the pioneers in the field of dubbing in the Philippines, where she dubbed characters seen in cartoons and shows from abroad.
JOHN EN MARSHA
But Matutina became well-known when she played the maid of Doña Delilah Jones (played by Dely Atay-Atayan) in the popular comedy series John en Marsha, which starred Comedy King Dolphy and Nida Blanca in the title roles. This is where Matutina first used her screen name.
In her interview with Julius Babao in October 2024, Matutina recounted that she herself suggested to the director of John en Marsha, Ading Fernando, that she use “Matutina” as her screen name.
She also suggested to Ading that her character’s voice be high-pitched to differentiate it from what she does on the radio.
John en Marsha aired from 1974 to 1978, and it returned to the air from 1980 to 1990, on RPN-9.
It also had many spin-offs into the film.
With Matutina’s passing, Maricel is the only surviving original cast member of John en Marsha
John en Marsha cast: (Standing) Matutina and Dely Atay-Atayan; (seated) Maricel Soriano, Dolphy, Nida Blanca, and Rolly Quizon
