Ama made her film debut in 1982, when she starred in the movie Himala (Miracle), directed by Ishmael Bernal.[1] Film director Bernal wanted to cast theatre and radio actors in Himala, so theatre director Rolando Tinio recommended the casting of Quiambao. She was chosen for the role of Sepa, a disciple of the lead character Elsa, played by Nora Aunor. Her role in Himala earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Gawad Urian Awards in 1982. She subsequently appeared in many other films. A restored version of Himala was screened at the 2012 Venice Film Festival to mark its 30th anniversary.[2]
Three decades later, Quiambao was cast as Lusing in the 2012 film, Diablo, which was directed and produced by the married partners Mes de Guzman and Rhea Operaña de Guzman.[2] Lusing was a very serious, strict character in the film, which Quiambao described as the opposite of her own personality.[2]
Her work in Diablo earned Quiambao the first acting award of her career.[2][3] In 2012, she won "Best Actress in the New Breed category" at the 8th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.[1][2] In a later interview, Quiambao described her reaction to winning, "I was strangely calm,” she recalled. “I didn’t feel cold; I didn’t cry. I was glad that the trophy was presented to me by Iza [Calzado]. I’ve worked with her a number of times on TV and in the movies. I love that girl."[2] She also said that she was thrilled to see other veteran Filipino actors win Cinemalaya awards that year, including Anita Linda and Eddie Garcia, which she called "the night of senior citizens."[2]
Death
Quiambao suffered a heart attack on June 28, 2013, while attending the premiere of the one-act play, Pamamanhikan, in which she was performing as part of the Virgin Labfest 9 theatre festival.[1][3] She died at Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City at 8:09 p.m. on July 5, 2013, at the age of 65.[1] Her funeral was held at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.[1][3] Her younger sister, Lui Quiambao-Manansala, said that "she was surrounded by all members of her family and close relatives. Let us pray for the eternal rest of her soul... Let us all remember Ama with fondness as a colleague, a mentor and a friend." Quiambao's wake was held at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.
