Actress Mila del Sol dies at 97

Veteran actress Mia del Sol died on Tuesday, November 10. She was 97 years old.

Her grandson, former Parañaque representative Gus Tambunting, confirmed her passing in a post on his Facebook page.

“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 1:10 am. She was 97 years old. She passed away in the home of her eldest son and my father, Sonny Tambunting,” he said. 

“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.”

Tambunting said that they will forever be indebted to Del Sol, who they called “Lulay.”

“Our family will surely miss Lulay’s love and affection. Throughout her life, she continued to impart wisdom and spread her zest for life to those closest to her, because she was truly an image of beauty both inside and out, both on and off-screen.”

Del Sol, born Clarita Villarba Rivera in Tondo, started her career in Philippine showbiz in the 1930s after being signed by LVN Pictures. She starred in the movie Giliw Ko in 1939 opposite Fernando Poe Sr and went on to star in many films before and after World War II, including the 1941 movie Ibon Adarna.

She also established Superior Maintenance Service, a janitorial firm, after retiring from showbiz.

The actress is survived by 4 children – Sonny Tambunting, former TV host Jeanne Young, Ancel Romero, and Leo Romero. She also has 17 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren. – Rappler.com