At the funeral wake of controversial and feisty talent manager, TV host and entertainment columnist Lolit Solis at the Aeternitas Chapels and Columbarium along Commonwealth Avenue, all her wards, past and present were around.
Friends and colleagues were also present to bid her adieu.
Gabby Concepcion, Lorna Tolentino, Paolo Contis, Gladys Reyes, Tirso Cruz III, Lyn Ynchausti, Tonton Gutierrez, Christopher de Leon, Alfred Vargas, Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr., Lani Mercado, Glydel Mercado and many more were nightly at vigil for their beloved manager whom they endearingly called "Nanay."
All of them were sad but at the same relieved that the agony of their surrogate mom had ended.
Lolit had long been suffering from diabetes with complications.
Solis died of heart attack due to organ failure of her kidney.
I paid my last respects to Tita (a term of endearment to an elderly woman by affinity or an aunt by blood) Lolit on her second day at the funeral parlor.
I saw Tonton, Glydel, Paolo, director Chito S. Roño, Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Anthony Solis, Art Tapalla, Linda Cabuhayan, Salve Asis, Gorgy Rula and many more.
I talked to Contis who incidentally is the son of my former co-teacher of conversational Filipino at the Inter-Church Language School Jean Tusi-Contis.
At the time, according to Paolo, his mom was at the VRP Medical Center in Mandaluyong City.
I told him to send my regards to her.
What's his fondest memory of Lolit? "Madalas kaming magtalo (We always argued)," replied Contis.
The usual argument between the two is how to sustain one's durability in the biz.
Meanwhile, Glydel, the rose of Muntinlupa City—she studied at Sacred Heart School in Muntinlupa—especially in her youth was too impressed about Lolit as manager.
"Pag may alok sa amin, ikukuwento niya kung ano ang role, tapos tinatanong muna niya kung gusto namin (If there were offers, she would tell us about the roles then she would ask if we liked them. That is the time she would coordinate with the project proponents)," underscored Mercado after a deep thought, a long pause while she was collecting porridge from the merienda buffet table.
Other stars who visited the remains of Tita Lolit when I wasn't around were Morly Alinio, Ali Sotto, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Arnold Clavio, Benjie Paras, among others.
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