Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine showbiz industry is mourning the death of veteran film producer and Regal Entertainment founder Lily Monterverde, well-known as “Mother Lily.”
Monteverde, 85, died in the early hours of Sunday, Aug. 4, the production agency said on Sunday.
In a Facebook post, ‘Diamond Star’ Maricel Soriano penned a heartfelt message for the film icon.
“Maraming salamat sa oras at panahon na ibinigay mo sa amin. Salamat sa lahat ng tawa, halakhak, at alam mo na. Talagang through the years, napatunayan mo sa amin na mahal na mahal mo kami at ang turing mo sa amin ay mga anak,” Soriano wrote.
[Translation: Thank you for the time that you shared with us. Thank you for all the laughter and everything. Through the years, you’ve proven that you loved us dearly and you treated us like your children.]
Veteran actress Judy Ann Santos also shared her last photo with Monteverde, and recalled her first projects.
“All my firsts in showbizness was under you. My first teleserye kaming mga ulila and the only producer na sumugal sa amin ni gladys para gawin ang pelikulang “sana naman”and the rest is history. Ginawa mong makulay ang buhay ng maraming tao sa industriyang ito na minahal mo ng sobra sobra,” she said on Facebook.
[Translation: All my firsts in showbizness were under you like my first TV series “Kaming mga Ulila.” You were the only producer who took a chance on me and Gladys on our film “Sana Naman” and the rest was history. You made the lives of so many people in this industry so colorful, which you loved dearly.]
Iza Calzado also expressed her appreciation to Monteverde.
Film director Erik Matti, meanwhile, posted a fond memory of Mother Lily playing piano.
For Sen. Grace Poe, Monteverde will always be a “titan” in Philippine cinema.
“She has helped so many and she will never be forgotten,” said Poe.
Monteverde’s production group, Regal Entertainment, released notable films such as “Shake, Rattle & Roll” and “Mano Po,” among others.
NewsWatch Plus Correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report
