AS THE birthday cake announced, LVN movie queen Mila del Sol’s age is “Forever 45.” But, she quipped, “If you insist, I may be tempted to reveal my real age: 46.”
On May 12, the inimitable Ms. Mila, local movies’ original Sarong Girl, celebrated her nth birthday in high style surrounded by family and friends at Manila Polo Club in Makati. Grandsons Ira and Casey Cruz acted as hosts and, eldest grandson, Parañaque Vice Mayor Gus Tambunting, joined his cousins for an impromptu “roast” of the celebrator.
“GANITO Kami Noon” star Gloria Diaz and director Eddie Romero
Ira recalled that “Lulay,” as grandchildren and great-grandchildren call Mila, invented her own language for the kids. Casey teased her for being OC (obsessive-compulsive) long before the term was invented. “All her clothes are neatly arranged, shoes in labeled boxes, each with a picture.”
LILIA Dizon
Mila partied with contemporaries from the first Golden Age of Philippine cinema: Anita Linda, Delia Razon, Lilia Dizon, Marita Zobel, Perla Bautista, Myrna Obligacion, as well as Balik Samahan’s Pempe Rodrigo and Nenita Eraña, granddaughter of LVN matriarch Doña Sisang de Leon.
Highlight of the evening was a video montage of clips from Mila’s vintage films: “Giliw Ko” (1939), “Ibong Adarna” (1941) and “Sarungbanggi” (1947), prepared by Gus’ wife Joy, a former TV producer.
LVN’S Nenita Eraña and Delia Razon
Beauty queen Gloria Diaz, who just finished a game of tennis at the club, dropped by to greet Mila and reunite with “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon” director, National Artist for Film Eddie Romero, who came with his family.
Representing the present generation of stars were Mylene Dizon, Ira’s constant date, and Onemig Bondoc, grandson of Lulay’s brother Amado Rivera Jr.