Mother Lily Monteverde. Images: FILE PHOTOS
The death of Lily Monteverde, fondly known as “Mother Lily” in entertainment circles, brought an outpouring of tributes from several figures from show business and politics who had the chance to cross paths with her at some point in their careers.
Mother Lily’s death, which was confirmed by her son Goldwin Monteverde and Regal Entertainment on Sunday, August 4, comes barely a week after the passing of her husband Leonardo “Father Remy” Monteverde last July 29. She was 85 years old. No cause was mentioned in their statements.
In the comments of Regal’s statement on Instagram, Mother Lily was remembered by Denise Laurel, Marlo Mortel, Dimples Romana, Derek Ramsay, Jerald Napoles, and GMA Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes.
Screenshots from Instagram/@regalfilms50
Loved by filmmakers
Meanwhile, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman and CEO Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes described Mother Lily as his “second mother” and the reason why he is in the entertainment industry today, as seen in his tribute post on Facebook.
“If not for her, I would not be here. I would not be who I am today. She was the first who took the risk of hiring me as a screenwriter for a movie in 1979. Years later, we were having a casual conversation in her kitchen at her Greenhills residence when, out of the blue, she asked, ‘Joey, gusto mong magdirek ng pelikula? Sige, direct ka na…’ And that brought me to a new level in what turned out to be the road map of my career as a filmmaker,” Reyes recalled.
Reyes also shared that Mother Lily was the “only one who still believed in [him]” at the time when he knew “there was still something left for [him] to do,” which led him to expand his film work and return to teaching.
“How can I not feel the weight of the turn of events — just like so many others who she has helped, given chances, opened doors, and pushed into the arena of possibilities? How can I not feel the pain of losing my second ‘Mother’… the mother who made me who I am today?” he wrote.
Fellow filmmaker Erik Matti said Mother Lily’s “legacy and pioneering achievement” in the local film industry will “never be forgotten.”
“Her legacy and pioneering achievement in Philippine cinema could never be forgotten. To everyone whose lives and careers were touched by our iconic, larger-than-life Mother Lily, please give your last respects and join the family Monteverde in celebrating all the fun memories we all shared with Mother,” he said.
The Regal Entertainment founder was also remembered by Mon Confiado and fellow film director Theodore Boborol in the comments of Matti’s post.
Screenshot from Facebook/Erik Matti
“100 Tula Para Kay Stella” and “Love Is Blind” director Jason Paul Laxamana said he is “forever grateful” to Mother Lily and Regal for his “break in the mainstream movie industry.”
“Rest in peace, Mother Lily! I’m forever grateful to Regal for being the first studio to give me a break in the mainstream movie industry,” he said.
Honored by politicians
Actor-turned-politician Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla” Jr. looked back at his unforgettable memories with Mother Lily on Facebook, saying the latter was one of the people who guided him throughout his entertainment career.
“Isa si Mother sa humubog at gumabay sa akin, at isa rin siya sa likod ng pagtatagpo namin ni Lani [Mercado-Revilla]. She was truly a Mother to me, and to many others. Napakalaking kawalan ang kanyang paglisan (Mother took care of and guided me. She was also one of the key people behind our meeting with Lani Mercado-Revilla. She was truly a Mother to me and many others. Her death is a huge loss),” said Revilla.
“Ang kanyang ‘di matatawarang kontribusyon sa pelikulang Pilipino ay laging magsisilbing inspirasyon at gabay sa marami pang henerasyon ng mga artista, direktor, at lahat ng nasa likod ng industriya,” he further added.
Revilla uploaded a video of his recent visit to Mother Lily in a separate post, where he hoped the film producer is now in the “most peaceful place.”
“Almost a year ago noong binisita ko sya (Almost a year when I visited her). I hope you’re in the most peaceful place now, Mother Lily. We will miss you dearly. We love you very much,” he wrote.
Dubbing her a “titan” in the entertainment industry, Senator Grace Poe said Monteverde “always believed in [her] and assured [her] whenever [she] doubted herself.”
“I’m so sorry and sad to hear about Mother Lily’s passing. My Ninang Mother always believed in me and assured me whenever I doubted myself. She has helped so many and she will never be forgotten. She was, and will always be, a Titan in the Philippine movie industry. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to her family and loved ones,” she wrote.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora shared a video of himself dancing with Monteverde at a gathering on Facebook while describing the latter as a person who “radiated positive vibes and who had a charged personality.”
“Happy memories with Mother Lily Monteverde captured on video and sent to me just now by her son, my dear friend Dondon. She was a well-loved San Juaneño who radiated positive vibes and who had a very charged personality. Every moment with her was always filled with laughter. Rest in Peace Mother Lily. I know you and Tito Remy are in heaven now,” he wrote.
Mother Lily is survived by her five children: Winston, Meme, Roselle, Dondon, and Goldwin. She also had seven grandchildren (Keith, Theo, Bridget, Matthew, Redwin, Jewel, and Kristen) and one great-grandchild Mikayla before her death.