Happy 80th Birthday to Mother Lily!

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

There is only one Mother Lily!

And we all know who she is… she is none other than Mother Lily Monteverde.

Her moniker “The Mother of Philippine Cinema” is only but right and fitting because she embodies it. Mother Lily’s valuable contributions to the industry are truly immeasurable. Needless to say, the actors and actresses she has helped covering the generations have become who they are now because of her and the most significant role she plays and has played in their lives.

Never in my life have I seen a gathering of so many celebrities, politicians, business tycoons, industrialists, innovators, trailblazers, music legends, and members of the media. Mother Lily Monteverde’s 80th birthday celebration was truly one for the ages. It was as if the stars had aligned last night to bring all of them together.

But the biggest star of all present there in the Grand Ballroom was Mother Lily herself!

I feel truly privileged to have been invited to this grand celebration of epic proportions for the 80th birthday of Mother Lily Monteverde.

Some of the celebrities in the huge gathering last night I had spotted and recognized were the following: Janella Salvador, Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos, Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Kylie Padilla, Aljur Abrenica, Barbie Forteza, Ken Chan, Winwyn Marquez, Mark Herras,Mariel de Leon, Brandon “The Truth” Vera, Gary Valenciano, Jenine Desiderio, Celeste Legaspi, Gabby Concepcion, Annabel Rama, Eddie Gutierrez, Ruffa Gutierrez, Tony Tuviera, Charo Santos-Concio, Director Jose Javier Reyes, Director Jason Paul Laxamana, Ricky Davao, Kiko Estrada, Donny Pangilinan, Elmo Magalona, Myrtle Sarrosa, Vice Ganda, and many others.

Politicians: former President and Mayor Joseph Estrada, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, former House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Senator Sonny Angara, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Chief Legal Counsel of President Rodrigo Duterte, Salvador Panelo, Former First Lady and Congresswoman Imelda Marcos, Imee Marcos, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and many others.

Industrialists: Hans Sy, George Yang, and many others.

Here are some of the photos I was able to take during that momentous and fabulous birthday celebration for Mother Lily Monteverde’s 80th birthday last night, August 19, 2018. The joyous occasion was capped by a formal dinner of a sumptuous 12-course Chinese lauriat.

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Photo by Joseph R. Atilano