Actress and television host Pauleen Luna-Sotto took to social media to pay tribute to veteran entertainment columnist and talent manager Lolit Solis, who passed away on Thursday, July 3.
On Instagram, Pauleen shared a heartfelt message alongside screenshots of past text exchanges with her late manager, expressing deep gratitude and love for Lolit, whom she affectionately called “Nanay.”
“My dear Nanay, I wish the world saw you how your alagas saw you. A mother, a protector, a fighter and someone who is very loyal. Hindi ka man magaling sa iyong mga salita, ang puso mo naman ay nagsusumabog sa pagmamahal. Hindi ito halata, it took me a while to see it, to feel it, to understand it... kakaiba ka talaga,” Pauleen wrote.
The post included screenshots of their sweet conversations through the years, with Lolit often expressing her love and support for Pauleen during milestones in her life, such as becoming a mother.
In one exchange, Lolit messaged Pauleen after she gave birth: “So thankful you have another baby dear Pauleen. Congrats and take good care of yourself for your babies. Tali and Mochi. Bongga kang mother, Perfect talaga.”
In another message, Lolit praised Pauleen’s devotion to her family, adding: “Was so happy domesticated person ka pala, not only a good mother but excellent wife, mana kay mommy Chat hah hah Love you”
Lolit also expressed her gratitude when Pauleen introduced her second-born, Mochi, during her birthday last year: “feel ko talaga dahil para dalhin mo si Mochi talagang pina feel mo na FAMILY ako. Thank you talaga, really appreciate your message love you my Pauleen.”
Pauleen also shared a touching story behind Lolit’s unique birthday and Christmas gift requests, which at first seemed personal but were actually meant for others.
“Every year, Nanay Lolit had a list of the gifts she wanted for her birthday and Christmas. That list hardly changed and it made me wonder what she did to all those things she asked for,” Pauleen shared.
The actress recalled a gift her late talent manager once asked which made her wonder.
“Sa akin, she would ask for lechon for both occasions and napapaisip talaga ako kung paano nya uubusin yung lechon mag isa, yun pala, every time her birthday and Christmas came, she would open her doors to people to come eat and feast and celebrate life with her,” she revealed.
Pauleen expressed how Lolit’s list was not hers but for the other people who needed it.
“Lahat ng mga tv, gadgets, appliances that she would ask for from her alagas, she would donate it to people who needed it. In short, lahat ng hinaharbat nya ay hindi para sa kanya. Hindi lang halata, but she had a very big heart,” Pauleen added.
READ: THROWBACK: The colorful life of Lolit Solis in the entertainment industry
Pauleen then expressed her utmost gratitude to Lolit who helped her navigate her career in the entertainment industry.
“Nanay, you opened so many doors for me. You helped an artist so young to reach her dreams (sa konting kikitain—i would always joke—na hindi naman talaga joke, na barya lang ang kinikita nya sa akin compared to her other alagas na big artists). But what i LOVED MOST about her is the way she appreciated me as a wife and as a mother,” she stated.
Pauleen went on: “She NEVER FAILED to make me feel like i was doing a good job. She was always happy for my family life and she always celebrated that. She loved my husband, my children even from afar and would always tell me so i won't forget. She was so proud of me when i became a wife and a mother, the best years of my life and for that i am truly, truly grateful.”
Ending her message, Pauleen bid her farewell to Lolit who had been with her for the past two decades and became part of her family,
“You are family Nanay. 20 years with you is not enough. It breaks my heart that you have left us but i find comfort in the fact that you are now happy, at peace and pain free. Til we meet again, Nanay. Mahal na mahal din kita,” she wrote.
READ: Veteran entertainment columnist Lolit Solis passes away
Lolit Solis passed away at the age of 78 due to a heart attack, as confirmed by her daughter, Sneezy Solis McDonald. Lolit had long been battling health issues, including kidney problems that required regular dialysis. She remained active on social media, openly sharing her health journey and desire to recover.