Elizabeth Ramsey: Diminutive dynamite

From the late ’50s to the early ’70s, Elizabeth Ramsey was an attraction onstage, from Clover in downtown Manila to the nightspots along Roxas Boulevard and out-of-town shows.

Her energetic comic antics and fine singing voice, without fail, captivated, amused and entertained audiences. It was said that when Elizabeth was performing onstage and even on television, entertainers would dare to share the limelight with her, knowing they would be eclipsed by the diminutive dynamite.

Elizabeth’s mother is a Visayan, a Waray, and her father a black man.

In the latter part of the ’70s, Elizabeth and her daughter Jaya relocated to the US, where they performed before mostly Filipino audiences. Jaya also recorded a dance hit.

Mother and daughter are back in the Philippines. Elizabeth still performs every now and then. Jaya appears regularly on television and has several recording hits to her name. — RKC