LOLIT Solis, a veteran entertainment columnist, television host, and talent manager, has passed away, her family confirmed on Friday morning, July 4. She was 78.
Solis’s daughter, Sneezy, told local media outlets that her mother “has peacefully joined her Creator” on Thursday, July 3.
“Manay Lolit leaves behind a loving family and many friends who will always cherish her memory,” she said, adding that they would remember the showbiz figure as “a feisty and staunch loyal supporter, manager, and friend.”
“We love you, our dearest Manay, and you will forever be in our hearts. Rest well now in the loving embrace of our Lord,” she continued.
Before becoming a showbiz columnist, Solis attended the University of the Philippines and became a police beat reporter in the ‘70s, according to her interview with Rolling Stone Philippines.
She was transferred to the entertainment section and later flourished as a television talk show host who led the now-defunct talk programs “Startalk,” aired from 1995 to 2015, and “CelebriTV,” aired from 2015 to 2016, both on GMA Network.
Solis also hosted “Star Patrol” on the radio.
The late columnist not only wrote about local celebrities but also managed them, including some of the biggest stars in the show business industry today, like Gabby Concepcion, Christopher de Leon, and Lorna Tolentino.
Battle with kidney disease
In 2022, Solis revealed that she was diagnosed with a kidney problem, which required her to undergo dialysis treatments twice a week.
She said that her health condition at the time did not affect her work.
“I can still write, negotiate, make deals. Sabi ko nga nasa fighting form pa ako at hindi puwede basta i-bypassed ng kahit sino,” Solis wrote in a September 2022 Instagram post.
In her last Instagram post, Solis expressed her gratitude to her doctors who took care of her.
“Ang hirap pala ng may sakit. Hopeless, helpless, weak ka. Para bang hindi mo alam where and what to do,” she wrote.
She continued, “I feel very special dahil sa alaga ng staff, lalo na ng mga doctors.”
Celebrities’ tribute
Meanwhile, several local celebrities paid their tribute to Solis online on Friday, including Tolentino, Niño Muhlach, father and son Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jolo Revilla, and Yasmien Kurdi.
“We love you our dearest Manay, you will be missed,” said Tolentino on Instagram, sharing a portrait of Solis.
Muhlach, meanwhile, said, “Paalam Nanay Lolit Solis.”
The father-and-son duo also thanked Solis for taking care of them as their talent manager.
“You have been a solid rock for me, a staunch defender, and most importantly – a mother who took care of me and my family up to your last days with us,” Bong wrote on a Facebook post. “Para akong nawalan ulit ng nanay.”
Jolo, on the other hand, said, “Salamat sa lahat ng pagmamahal at pagsuporta mo sa aming buong pamilya lalo na kay papa. Salamat sa pagaalaga mo sa akin noong ikaw ay tumayo bilang aking manager noong ako ay artista pa.”
For Kurdi, the late showbiz columnist was more than just a talent manager to her.
“She was like a second Nanay to me,” she said, sharing that Solis continued to look after her even after she got married and had children.
“I will forever cherish how her van smelled like food because it was like a moving kitchen full of desserts and snacks, a symbol of her warmth and generosity,” Kurdi continued.
