Mother Lily: 70 little accolades

(Second of two parts)

Lily Monteverde turned 70 yesterday and on the eve of her birthday, I started writing in my Tuesday column 70 little accolades as my tribute to the Regal Films matriarch who has contributed so much to the local movie industry. Below is the second half and conclusion of the list.

36. She produced Mel Chionglo’s Teenage Marriage, which tackled the problems of young marriages.

37. She produced Batang Quiapo, which is one of my favorite FPJ movies (with Maricel Soriano as leading lady).

38. She helped put together ABS-CBN (by co-producing shows and lending her stars) when the network had just been returned to the Lopezes after EDSA I.

39. She put up a lot of quality drama programs on local TV — Regal Golden Hour on ABS-CBN and Regal Juvenile on IBC-13.

40. It was in a Regal production — Paano Kung Wala Ka Na? — where Susan Roces gave one of the finest performances of her career.

41. It was she who gave Eddie Gutierrez the chance to make a movie comeback after almost a decade abroad. She also helped develop Ruffa Gutierrez and now, Richard Gutierrez.

42. She gave Lorna Tolentino both commercial and critically-acclaimed film projects.

43. It was under Regal where Jose Javier Reyes sharpened his writing skills and even won Best Screenplay for Pahiram ng Isang Umaga in the Urian.

44. Yes, she produced Pahiram ng Isang Umaga, which bravely tackled the issue of dying.

45. It was in Regal where Manunuri toast Ishmael Bernal won three of his four Urian Best Director trophies — Broken Marriage, Hinugot sa Langit and Pahiram ng Isang Umaga.

46. It was a Regal project, Don’t Cry For Me, Papa, where the late Charito Solis got her fifth FAMAS Best Actress award and this elevated her to the Hall of Fame.

47. She produced Regal Shockers on TV and I remember one episode that actually scared me.

48. She gave Elwood Perez the chance to win FAMAS Best Director for Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit.

49. Eric Quizon’s talent for acting was first recognized in Regal’s Pahiram ng Isang Umaga. He won Best Supporting Actor in both the Star and Urian awards.

50. She produced Tiyanak, which is a truly scary movie by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes.

51. She developed Kris Aquino — first in Fatima Buen Story where Kris received an Urian Best Actress nomination and later for Mano Po where Ms. Aquino won several Best Supporting Actress trophies.

52. She produced Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa, which is a well-made glossy melodrama.

53. She continued the tradition of Shake, Rattle & Roll. Although this series is hit and miss, we all look forward to it during the Metro Manila Filmfest.

54. She produced My Other Woman where Christopher de Leon delivers one of his best performances that earned him his second Urian.

55. She keeps a talented director, Joel Lamangan, constantly busy with film projects.

56. She donated a professorial chair to UP College of Mass Communications.

57. She produced Makati Ave. (Office Girls) which won Urian Best Picture and the Best Director award for Jose Javier Reyes.

58. She gave Jeffrey Jeturian his first break as director in Sana Pag-ibig Na.

59. It was in Regal’s Makati Ave. (Office Girls) where Alma Moreno delivers the best performance of her career.

60. She started the Mano Po series, which combines both Filipino and Chinese customs and traditions.

61. Dennis Trillo proved in a Regal project — Aishite Imasu  — that he isn’t just a pretty boy. He can act, too, and win awards for playing a cross-dresser.

62. Judy Ann Santos marked a turning point in her career in Sabel, a Regal movie that gave the young superstar her first Urian Best Actress win.

63. It was also in Sabel where Wendell Ramos also won his first acting trophy — as Urian Best Supporting Actor.

64. She produced Fatima Buen, a non-commercial venture that shows the dark side of society.

65. She always cast Gloria Romero in important Regal projects. Ms. Romero even played title roles in Bahay ni Lola and Singsing ni Lola.

66. She was among the first to spot the potentials of Marian Rivera.

67. She is gifted in all areas: Music (she plays the piano excellently); architecture (she renovated her home by being her own architect and contractor); cook (her Chinese paella is the best) and, of course, businesswoman.

68. She is a loving wife, mother and grandmother and they all live together in one house.

69. She is one of the most colorful figures in the entertainment profession — truly one of a kind.

70. I look up to her as a second mother and as she always tells everyone: “I will always be ‘her little boy’.”