It was my first time to see and talk with jazz maven Jeannie Tiongco, the progeny of Emil Tiongco, one of the members of the famous Tiongco Brothers.
She, together with partner Henry Katindig (the son of the standard jazz icon Eddie Katindig, or simply, Eddie K) had just arrived at the Gateway Hotel and Suites Iloilo.
The hotel's manager, Aristeo Demavivas, introduced them to me although I was already writing about them in the "Jazz Nights" they staged at the Bridges Bistro of the hotel two months ago.
This time, it's a personal encounter with Jeannie, who everyone knew was the niece of the late popular actress Charito Solis.
I was sitting beside Jeannie at the lobby of the hotel after their late dinner.
I told her about my intention to interview her about a lot of things including her Tita (a term of endearment to an older woman or aunt by blood or affinity) Chato, Charito's pet name.
After a few minutes of asking her about their trip by air to Iloilo and her relationship with Solis, I hinted on the controversial story of the veteran actress about the urban legend of the late ex-Manila mayor Arsenio Lacson dying in a hotel room in an uncompromising sex act with the award-winning actress.
That the mayor suffered a stroke over the body of the beautiful and excellent thespian.
"No, it's not true at all. It's like this. Yes, Tita Chato was also in the same hotel where Mayor Lacson was also billeted," Tiongco recalled.
"But, no, the mayor died differently. Tita Chato wasn't in his room. She was with her male friend when the tragedy happened on Mayor Lacson. That's the story," confirmed Jeannie.
Meanwhile, Tita Chato and Jeannie were very close.
Needless to say, Tiongco (Emil's wife is Solis' sister), was the favorite of her aunt.
Until Tita Chato breathed her last, Jeannie was around.
"Nasa isang resort si Tita Chato noon sa Los Banos. Bigla na lang, sumakit ang dibdib niya at likod. Then, dinala siya do'n sa isang ospital sa Calamba pero (Tita Chato was in a resort. Suddenly, she complained of chest and back pains. She was immediately brought to a hospital in Calamba but) she was already declared dead," recollected the niece who is a very good jazz singer.
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