Veteran actress Mila del Sol pumanaw na sa edad 97

PUMANAW na ang veteran actress na si Mila del Sol kaninang madaling-araw sa edad na 97.

Kinumpirma ni former Parañaque Rep. Gustavo Tambunting, apo ng aktres, ang malungkot na balita sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Facebook account.

Aniya, sumakabilang-buhay si Mila del Sol o Clarita Villarba Rivera sa tunay na buhay habang nasa bahay ng panganay nitong anak at tatay niyang si  Sonny Tambunting.

Nagsimula ang showbiz career ng beteranang aktres noong 1938 at naging contract star din ng LVN Pictures. Nakilala siya nang todo taong 1939 nang gawin niya ang pelikulang “Giliw Ko” noong 1939 kung saan nakatambal niya si Fernando Poe, Sr..

Nakagawa ng mahigit 40 pelikula ang aktres na isa sa mga itinuturing na icon ng Golden Age of Philippine cinema.

Ang huling pelikulang nagawa niya ay ang “Kahit Wala Ka Na” noong 1989, kung saan gumanap siya bilang nanay ni Sharon Cuneta. Siya rin ang lola ng dating matinee idol na si Onemig Bondoc.

Narito ang bahagi ng official statement ni Tambunting, “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.”

“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.”