Atay-Atayan was born in Tondo, Manila, to painter Amado Fernando and singer Carmen Marquez.
[2] Atay-Atayan had completed her second year in high school when she broke into showbusiness as a kundiman singer at the Palace Theater in Manila.
[3] She made her film debut in 1940 with Lakambini, where she played opposite her husband, comedian Andoy Balunbalunan.
She formed a comedic quartet with Pugak, Lopito and Doro de los Ojos, calling themselves "Ancient Fox".
Her famous tagline, uttered without fail in every episode to John Puruntong, was a scathing admonition: "Magsumikap ka!"