Not many netizens knew that the late Regal matriarch Lily Monteverde played the piano.
Mother Lily, as she is fondly called, who regaled the Filipino audiences for over 50 years with the hundreds of movies she produced under Regal loved playing the piano for the people she loved.
In a video posted on his YouTube, Senator Bong Revilla showed Mother Lily playing several tunes on the piano, including “Bayan Ko,” “Magtanim ay Di Biro,” “Leron Leron Sinta” for him.
Her voice hoarse, she told the actor-politician, “Sa campaign, sasali ako,” she said.
“Mananalo ‘yan. Tandaan mo. Sasama ako sa parada,” she added.
In the caption, Revilla posted,”Hindi ko akalain na ito na pala ang huling pagkikita natin, Mother.
“Tulad ng lagi, you were so sweet and thoughtful.
“Kaya naman, sandali pa lang pero sobra na kitang miss. Para akong nawalan ng ikalawang ina. You were always there for me and Lani [Mercado, his wife]. Lagi kang nandiyan para kumustahin ako, payuhan, at akayin.
“I will miss your random phone calls, your warm gestures out of the blue, but most of all, I will miss your caring voice.
“Kung may konsolasyon man, alam kong magkasama pa rin kayo ni Father, wala nang iniinda, at nasa inyong happily ever after na.
“Love you Mother!”
During a Senate session last August 7, the senator honored the memory of the late film producer.
In a resolution adopted by the Senate, Revilla expressed the chamber’s sincere condolences on Monteverde’s passing. The resolution recognized her contributions to the nation’s arts and culture, particularly in the film industry.
“Sa kanyang paglisan, mananatili siyang yaman ng industriya. Walang makapagpupuno ng iniwan niyang ambag hindi lang sa mundo ng entertainment industry, kundi sa puwang ng aming mga puso,” Revilla remarked.
Additionally, Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla recently filed House Resolution No. 1852 to honor the life and legacy of Mother Lily Monteverde.
The resolution states, “She is ‘Mother’ to so many generations of Filipino artists and filmmakers who have helped define what Philippine cinema is today.”
Cong. Lani was among the first to express her sympathy on the death of Mother Lily last August 5.
She also recalled how she and Bong met for a pictorial at a park in Greenhills, beside the home of Mother Lily.
“I will not be Lani Mercado if it wasn’t for you. Your guidance has made me and Bong successful in both our marriage and careers. You will be greatly missed,” she wrote on Instagram.
