Senators mourned the passing of film producer Marichu Vera Perez-Maceda on Monday.
Senate President President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Grace Poe said the Philippine film industry has lost another pillar following Maceda's death.
"Our beloved Manay Ichu will now rest at the bosom of the Lord our God. The movie industry will never be the same. We owe her a lot. We love her deeply," Sotto, a former actor, posted on Twitter.
Poe said: "We’ve lost a pillar and vanguard of Philippine cinema."
"Manay Ichu will remain an inimitable beacon of generosity and greatness who touched many lives. We will hold tight to her memories and be forever grateful," said the senator, daughter of veteran actress Susan Roces, who worked with Sampaguita Pictures that was owned by the Vera-Perez family.
Senator Nancy Binay also expressed grief and extended her condolences to Maceda's family.
"Rest in peace our dearest Manay Ichu. Maraming salamat sa mga payo, kuwentuhan, at alaala. You will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vera Perez-Maceda family," Binay also tweeted.
The film producer, fondly called as "Manay Ichu", succumbed to cardio-respiratory failure in a Quezon City hospital, her family said in a statement. She was 77.
Maceda was known as one of the pioneers of Philippine cinema, having been raised in the industry and becoming a film producer herself. She was also credited for helping establish the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), the Metro Manila Film Festival, and the Film Development Council of the Philppines, among others.
She was married to the late Senator Ernesto Maceda and survived by their five children.