REGAL MATRIARCH MOTHER LILY PASSES AWAY AT 85

REGAL Films founder and producer Lily Monteverde famously known as Mother Lily  passed away Sunday, August 4, at the age of 85.

Mother Lily died just six days after the death of her husband, Remy Monteverde, on July 29.

Her family announced that Mother Lily died at 3:18 a.m. Sunday.

Mother Lily, who would have turned 86 on Aug. 19, is known as one of the first female film producers in the country.

She was the founder of Regal Entertainment, a film and TV production company that produced several notable films, including the Mano Po and Shake, Rattle & Roll series.

Her work has greatly impacted the industry, helping launch the careers of renowned actors such as Alma Moreno, Gabby Concepcion, Gino Roque, Lorna Tolentino, Janice de Belen, Albert Martinez, Dina Bonnevie, Maricel Soriano, Carmina Villaroel, and Aiko Melendez, among others.

“Throughout her years, she had not only been a mother to her children but also the ‘Mother’ to so many generations of Filipino filmmakers who have helped define what Philippine cinema is today,” part of the family’s statement reads

“Even in her final years, Mother Lily had served as one of the cornerstones of the movie industry, providing opportunities to filmmakers — both creative and technical — to carve their names in our popular history. Yet behind this veneer of accomplishment, Mother Lily was not merely a matriarch and the face of Regal Films but a true mother to artists and workers who had the chance to know her beyond the confines of work,” the family’s statement added.

Mother Lily has produced more than 300 films since Regal began in the 1960s.

She is survived by her children Goldwyn, Roselle, Meme, Winnie, and Dondon.

The Monteverde family requests prayers and asks that people cherish the memory of Mother Lily.

The wake and memorial service starts at 3:30 p.m. Monday until Aug. 9 at 38 Valencia Events Place in Quezon City.

Interment will be on Aug. 10 at the Heritage Park in Taguig.