Elizabeth Indino Ramsey (December 3, 1931 – October 8, 2015) was a Filipina stand-up comedian, singer and actress. Known for her trademark Visayan-accented dialogues, which she performed in English or Tagalog, she was regarded as the country’s “Queen of Rock and Roll” and “Original Queen of Comedy”. She rose to fame in 1958 after winning a singing contest in Student Canteen, the first noontime show on Philippine television.

Ramsey was the mother of Filipina recording artist Jaya.

Early life

Ramsey was born on December 3, 1931 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. Her father was Arturo C. Ramsey, a Jamaican marine based in the Philippines, while her mother was a Filipina of Spanish descent, Marcelina Rivera Indino.

Personal life and death

Ramsey had 3 children with her first husband, who was of Jamaican heritage. After his death, Ramsey met Ray Kagahastian, a Filipino, with whom she has one daughter, Maria Luisa “Jaya” Ramsey (born in 1970), before separating. Ramsey died October 8, 2015 in her sleep from a hyperglycemic attack. at the age of 83.