A ‘royal’ turnover

Like mother, like daughter?

It doesn’t apply to Regal Matriarch Lily Monteverde and her daughter Roselle. They are unlike in some ways, not completely poles apart but still two peas in a pod because they share a passion for one field ­— show business.

Going with the flow of Time, Mother Lily has just passed the Regal “crown” to Roselle. The “changing of the guards” was hardly noticed because even if Roselle is already at the helm of Regal Entertainment, Mother Lily continues to be visible…and audible. (Meanwhile, daughter Meme Monteverde-Tan is now in-charge of the family-owned Imperial Palace Suites on Timog-Morato Rotunda, Quezon City; while son Dondon runs his own film outfit.)

Here are Mother Lily and Roselle in separate Conversations:

Mother Lily

Why and when did you decide to entrust the management of Regal to Roselle?

“From the start, my husband (Remy Monteverde) and I have devoted all our efforts for the future of our children. We worked hard, literally starting from scratch, to build a company that has now lasted for five decades. Father Remy and I take great pride in all our hard work — and the fruits these brought to our lives. But they were always for the future and the security of our children.

“One knows when it is time to hand over the reins of the business to your successor. And who else is the best of these but the children you groomed to take over whatever you have established. Who else knows what is best for the business than someone who has always been a part of the work, whose investment is not merely livelihood but life itself. That is why I knew it was time for Roselle to take over.

“She studied in the US for this, she saw Regal from its birth to its present state — and the company is not only a part of her life but Regal’s life in her. Times change, the rules of business shift — and it is time for her to gain control while Father and I sit back and watch another great achievement with our daughter.”

Are you giving Roselle full control of Regal? What is your role in the company?

“I am still very much there as she wants me to be behind her. There are daily decisions to be made and Roselle knows that running a film studio is learning everyday.

“My years of experience still proves important in preparing my daughter to deal with the obstacles, challenges and even maneuvers necessary to make Regal Entertainment ride through the daily surprises of this complicated business. There is no better textbook than somebody who knows how it is, what it was and what still can be because of first-hand experience. Roselle appreciates that.”

What are the tips and reminders you give Roselle?

“I always remind Roselle to be objective. I always tell her to keep her head above the water and know what game to play.

“I tell Roselle of all the years Regal had been subjected to so many challenges — and how foresight is important. More than that, I remind her that good movies do not come just from talented artists but from good people who are loyal and who will work hard because they believe in what they are doing. If somebody is there only for the money, then you can be assured that his work will always be measured by how much he wants to be paid. But if you find somebody with a passion for what he is doing, then his loyalty is more important — because he is dedicated to his craft rather than just his work.”

Mother and daughter take time out from the breakneck showbiz grind for some bonding away from it all — on the snow in Japan!

When you built Regal more than half a century ago, did you think it would last this long and become a big pillar of the industry?

“We built Regal because I was and will always be a movie fan.

“Yes, the years have been an uphill climb…and a rollercoaster ride. But these years have been interesting. We never imagined Regal to be what it has become even to this day…but we are proud as much as we are grateful that for six decades we have given happiness to moviegoers.”

You are an avowed movie fan with a feel for the public pulse. How is Roselle in this case?

“Roselle belongs to a different generation. The moviegoers of today are so different from the audiences of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Roselle loves movies but she also knows her business because she has her eyes focused on the changing audience. She knows how to respect what has come to pass with a sense of what is yet to become. She is in touch with young filmmakers as well as veterans. She knows the trends. Her sense of audience is more precise and based on the rules of science and business — something that I wish I had in my day.”

Do you still guide Roselle in the choice of materials?

“That is the area I leave her to decide. She is in touch with young people. She knows the profile of audiences here and abroad. She is aware of developments in technology including the power of the Internet.

“I leave her to choose the materials upon consultation with people that Regal trusts and respects. That is her ballgame.”

Besides Regal, what are your other projects?

“The only way to keep alert and alive is to be busy — and I make it a point to be very busy with other concerns.

“Yes, there is the big studio and soundstage and I am planning to build so that we have a venue to experiment with other kinds of movies for both mainstream and the alternative platforms.

“I have been planning to put together a management company that does not only pinpoint those with potentials of being future artists and even stars but also hone these young people to professionalism. There should be a greater variety of faces to add magic to our screens.

“But most of all, I am enjoying my life now…and my life cannot be defined without involvement in Regal and the world of films.”

Roselle Monteverde

Mother Lily is a tough act to follow. How do you feel about the industry people’s expectations from you?

“I agree that mother is a tough act to follow. She, along with my father, built Regal in the early ’60s with enough capitalization to start with, they bought and distributed foreign movies. In 1976, they ventured into local production until Regal became one of the major local film companies. In addition to the business growth, Regal had earned recognitions and accolades which are tough acts to follow, not only by me but also from the other major players in the industry. I am proud to say that she is an icon in the film industry.

“I started with Regal for few years during the early ’90s then again from 2001 to present. There were not much changes during the time I started. I was working side by side with Mother during the early 2000s. She was able to instill in me her views and strategies of running regal not only within the company but also with the other players in the industry. Basically, I was working with the same people that worked with my mother. The industry is quite small. I am lucky since this was already set for me.

“However, more than industry expectations, I tend to have my own high expectations with myself also. I have my own objectives, goals, plans which are my expectations that the company will continue and to have a strong presence in the industry. The industry has evolved over the past years and I make sure that Regal is able to adapt to these changes.”

What are the lessons that you get from your mom as far as running the company is concerned?

“I can really think of so many lessons. But right now, I can think of the more important ones and some realities that you would not even imagine.

“Taking great risk with new breed and new resources be it in concept/ideas, actors, writers, directors, the list can go on and on.

“Screaming movie fans are not the drivers of box-office potential. The material you produce will dictate the result in box office and in building up an artist because the audience is beyond movie fans.

“Sensible budget and assuring quality in all the production and this has to be passed on to everyone involved in the creation.

“Do things with passion and always think ahead.”

Is your choice of movie materials the same as that of your mom’s?

“In some ways, yes. Audience tastes change overtime. The new generation has different lifestyle and taste. You need to think out of the box and be able to innovate storytelling and visuals so that they are adaptable to the new audience. Especially since the audience now is exposed to a variety of contents through the Internet, we should always be challenged by what we can offer them. I would say the choice of material has to adapt to these changes.”

Roselle (with mom in Beijing): If I were to look inside or to be able to see what is running in my mom’s mind, I would really be grateful. I want to be always a step ahead of her. Hahaha!!! She never stops. That is her passion.

Mother Lily is a movie fan at heart. Are you? What kind of movies did you grow up on?

“I watch movies as my pastime. I also cut classes just to watch a movie and would influence my classmates to go with me. I watch all sorts of movies that would entertain me or that would make me think. Since my grandparents run cinemas in Manila when I was growing up, I would watch all sorts of movies.

“As a child, I grew up with Ultraman (the Japanese originals) and loved this, the original Godzilla movies, Watari heroes, kung fu movies, horror movies. The most memorable is the Chinese horror trilogy which I enjoy watching while eating my favorite chocolate wafer. Up to now, scenes from the movie are so vivid in my mind.

“And, of course, most of Vilma Santos movies with Edgar Mortiz, and all the Regal movies of Maricel Soriano, also those of Sharon Cuneta.”

How are you similar to or different from your Mom where mindset and ideas of running a company are concerned?

“If I were to look inside or to be able to see what is running in my mom’s mind I would really be grateful. I want to be always a step ahead of her. Hahahaha!!! She never stops. This is her passion.

“I tend to be more organized and thus I could plan out what movies we will feature for the next 12 months. I am more diligent in terms of mapping out where we want to be in terms of growth. I tend to work and lead and share visions also well with my different teams in production, marketing, distribution. I like working with people that think out of the box. I take challenge as a drive to do better.

“I always welcome new ideas and we do a lot of brainstorming. It’s a non-stop work and I value my time. I value relationships within the company and within the industry.”

Regal Films is an institution that took years (and blood, sweat and tears) to build. How big a challenge it is to carry on the Regal legacy?

“For the movies Regal has produced, these will be kept well for the future generations to know its history and relevance in the society.

“Moving forward, Regal will be progressive in all aspects. Regal will always connect to the audience and continue to transform and make sure all movies produced will have it’s unique qualities and identity in terms of entertainment, challenging the mind, socially responsible, inspiring and relevant. Regal’s recipe is not in creating formulas into its products. Regal’s strength will be in the variety of movies and be able to place the audience as part of the process. The movies or material should eventually relate to the betterment of the society and making these movies as part of our lives. Regal Life will continue…”

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