MARA. Fine example of an independent Filipina.
Lollie Mara and I got along well immediately the first time we met each other, maybe because, like my mother, her family hails from Zamboanga City – we are Chabacanos.
It was soon after the declaration of martial law. I was going to see her late brother, Manny Pichel, who was a former student of Bien Lumbera, who had harnessed his help while in the “underground” movement. Bien had recruited some of his trusted students to deliver coded messages for him. I went to his home in San Miguel, Manila, to pick up letters. That was how I met Lollie.
I remember Lollie then to be quite vivacious. The next time I met her was when NUT was trying to find employment for her, so she could support her large brood. He first connected her to Hotel Mirador through Au Cobarrubias. She soon became its popular PR.
Theater site
Thereafter, Chito and Au produced popular dinner-theater shows, and the hotel soon became a fave Manila theater site.
More importantly, she became part of “Our Gang,” which included Au, Norma Japitana, Cynthia Patag, Ric Segreto, Gina Leviste, Tommy Abuel, Emma Yuhuico and Pilar de Guzman Palabrica.
Lollie became knowledgeable in producing dinner-theaters, because she was a fast learner. She was a multitasker: She was a PR woman, a production manager, a stage manager, even an actress when needed. She was an executive who found no position below her rank.
She was a convincing actress, so she was soon considered for roles by popular directors. Looking beautiful and classy, she was cast as the “society” mother of popular actors like Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach.
Lollie dresses well. She is dependable, poised, has a regal bearing, and is talented in languages.
Maria Montelibano included Lollie in her staff when the director/producer was made head of Malacañang’s Radio-Television Department by former President Cory Aquino. Before that, I cast Lollie in “Angkan,” a teleserye I directed for the newly opened ABS-CBN.
When Aquino’s term ended, former President Fidel Ramos appointed Lollie as the new head of RTVM.
Thereafter, she busied herself with acting assignments. She raised her many children as a single mom. Her son, Tata, has followed in her footsteps and is also an actor, Lorenzo Mara. Lollie, now a proud lola, is a fine example of an independent Filipina coping with the challenges of the times!