Ma. Azucena Vera-Perez Maceda, commonly known as Marichu Maceda and widely called as Manay Ichu by her colleagues in the film industry, was born on the 23^rd of December 1942. Coming from the family who owned Sampaguita Pictures, Marichu literally grew up with movies already at her sight. She witnessed how films were created as she played at Sampaguita Compound, a common setting for almost all Sampaguita films.

Exposed to the whats and hows of movies, Marichu grew up with intense passion for it that even at the age when sickness started to surface, she still managed to keep the fire burning on the things she loved doing. Most of her contributions were in line with production art and design, but also served as a producer and a writer. She was known for highly-praised films such as Batch ’81 and Dyesebel which she produced herself.

More than making a name for herself on her chosen field, Manay Ichu also showed profound support for the external development of Philippine cinema. She was the person behind the law that led to the creation of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). She also helped with the establishment of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND), the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association (PMPPA), and the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP).