Sumakabilang-buhay na ang legendary actress na si Mila del Sol sa edad na 97.
Pumanaw si Mila sa tahanan ng kanyang anak na si Sonny nitong madaling-araw ng Martes, November 10, 2020.
Kinumpirma ng apo ni Mila na si Joseph Tambunting sa Facebook post nito ang pagpanaw ng aktres.
Si Mila, Clarita Villarba Rivera sa tunay na buhay, ay isinilang sa Tondo, Manila noong May 12, 1923.
Mila del Sol ang screen name na ibinigay sa kanya ng direktor na si Carlos Tolosa dahil sa obserbasyon nitong tila milagrong lumilitaw ang araw sa tuwing ang mga eksena niya ang kinukunan.
Nagsimula ang acting career ni Mila noong 1938, at naging contract star ng LVN Pictures.
Sumikat siya nang husto noong 1939 nang magbida sa 1939 movie na Giliw Ko, kung saan nakatambal niya si Fernando Poe Sr.
Kabilang sa mga ginawa niyang pelikula noong pre-war ay ang Prinsesa ng Kumintang (1940), Sawing Gantimpala (1940), Hiyas ng Dagat (1941), Ibong Adarna (1941), at Caviteño (1942).
Nagpatuloy ang movie career ni Mila nang matapos ang World War II. Ilan sa mga pinagbidahan niyang pelikula ay ang Orasang Ginto (1946), Ang Prinsesang Hindi Tumatawa (1946), Maling Akala (1947), Sarungbanggi (1947), Malaya (1948), Kuba Sa Quiapo (1949), Lupang Pangako (1949), Dayang-Dayang (1950), Anak ng Pulubi (1951), Romansa Sa Nayon (1952), Pakipot (1960), at Tatlong Magdalena (1960).
Noong 1974 ay lumabas siya sa Batya't Palo-Palo, kung saan nakasama niya sina Fernando Poe Jr. at Vilma Santos.
Ang huli niyang pelikula ay ang Kahit Wala Ka Na (1989), kung saan gumanap siyang ina ni Sharon Cuneta.
Bukod kay Fernando Poe Sr., naging leading men ni Mila sa pelikula ang top actors noong kapanahunan nila—ang magkapatid na sina Rogelio at Jaime dela Rosa, Leopoldo Salcedo, at Jose Padilla Jr.
Mila del Sol with her leading men (Clockwise) Jaime dela Rosa, Carlos Padilla Jr., Leopoldo Salcedo, and Rogelio dela Rosa
Ilan sa mga parangal na natanggap ni Mila noong nabubuhay pa siya ay ang Cinema’s Living Treasure noong 1994, Natatanging Gawad Urian noong 2013, at ang House Resolution No.165 noong 2014 na kinilala ang mga kontribusyon niya sa industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino.
May apat na anak si Mila, kabilang ang former actress at TV host na si Jeanne Young.
Apo naman niya ang dating aktor na si Onemig Bondoc at ang musician na si Ira Cruz.
TRIBUTE TO LULAY
Ito ang pagpupugay at pagdakila ni Joseph Tambunting sa kanilang “Lulay”:
“It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved grandmother, Ms. Mila del Sol, our Lulay, ang Reyna ng Pinilakang-Tabing, passed away this morning at 1:10am. She was 97 years old.
"She passed away in the home of her eldest son and my father, Sonny Tambunting.
"Though we mourn her passing, we are comforted in knowing that the one who called her from this life, our Lord, loves her more than we could ever love her. She has returned home.
"It has been an honor and privilege to carry the legacy of Lulay.
"With the simple goal of buying her mother a pair of slippers and through the grace of our Lord, Lola Mila rose from the poverty of her younger years to become the queen of the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema.
"She went on to star in over 40 feature films. Being the link of the pre-war and the post-war era, Lola’s contributions to laying down the foundations of Philippine cinema has allowed her to be recognized as a true cornerstone of the industry.
"Before her passing, she was the only living movie star from the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema in the 1930s and 1940s.
"Her deep love for her family and her desire to serve those who made her a big movie star sparked the formation of Mila del Sol’s Superior Maintenance Service—the biggest janitorial firm in the country today which is entering its 56th year.
"More than anything, Lulay was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Lulay loved her 6 children, 2 of whom have already gone ahead of us, 17 grandchildren, and more than 30 great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
"She is survived by her 4 children, Sonny Tambunting, former TV host Jeanne Young, Ancel Romero, and Leo Romero.
"Nakita niya ang limang henerasyon ng kanyang pamilya—ang kanyang henerasyon, ang kanyang mga anak, ang kanyang mga apo, ang kanyang mga apo sa tuhod, at ang kanyang mga apo sa talampakan.
"She was blessed to live a long life, a life well lived, and a life full of love. She lived a blessed and charmed life.
"All of us will forever be indebted to Lulay. Our family will surely miss Lulay’s love and affection.
"Throughout her life, she continued to impart wisdom and spread her zest for life to those closest to her, because she was truly an image of beauty both inside and out, both on and off screen.
"Hindi lang siya isang magaling na artista na nagpasaya sa ilang henerasyon at isang magaling na negosyante na nakapagbigay ng libo-libong trabaho sa ating mga kababayan. Ang mas mahalaga dito, para sa amin, ay siya ay naging isang mapagmahal na anak, kapatid, ina at lola.
"She loved us and taught us how to love each other. We love you Lulay and we will miss you dearly.
"Our family asks for your prayers for the eternal repose of Lola Mila’s soul. As we observe the health protocols, we ask our friends to give us the opportunity to grieve in private. Maraming Salamat po.”
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