Clarita Villarba Rivera,better known by her screen nameMila del Sol(12 May 1923[2]– 10 November 2020), was aFilipinaactress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born inTondo, Manila,she gained fame in her very first lead role in the 1939 filmGiliw Ko.She was discovered byLVN PicturesPresidentDoña Sisang de Leon,who insisted incastingher over the objections of the film's director, who felt she was too young for the part.[3]It was the film's director, Carlos Vander Tolosa, who gave her the screen nameMila del Solfor "causing the sun (sol) to appear as if by miracle (milagro) over his otherwise overcast set whenever she was called in to do her scenes."[4]
Mila del Sol | |
|---|---|
 Mila del Sol, Gawad Parangal night, 2010 | |
| Born | Clarita Villarba Rivera May 12, 1923 |
| Died | November 10, 2020(aged 97)[1] Parañaque,Philippines |
| Occupation | Philippineactorentrepreneurphilanthropist |
| Years active | 1937–1952; 1957–2010 |
| Relatives | Gustavo Tambunting(grandson) Onemig Bondoc(grandnephew) Ira Cruz(grandson) Ignacio Bunye(nephew) |
Film production shut down during the Japanese occupation and was restored only in 1945. Del Sol returned to LVN and starred in its production ofManuel Conde'sOrasang Ginto,the first post-war Filipino film. She starred in other LVN films of the 1940s, includingIbong Adarna(1941) andVilla Hermosa.[2]
Del Sol retired from films to raise a family in the 1950s, but staged a comeback in 1960 with two films released that year,PakipotandTatlong Magdalena.[2]The following year, she starred in an international production,Espionage Far East,and later starred in a long-running television series. She began her career as an entrepreneur in 1964, and focused on philanthropic work from the 1970s onward.[5]
Pope Francisimparted theApostolic Blessingupon del Sol on the occasion of her 90th birthday.
In December 2014, theCongress of the Philippinespassed Resolution No. 165, honoring Mila del Sol "for her contributions to the movie industry and to Philippine society in general". The Resolution said in part that "Ms. Mila del Sol proved that poverty should not be a hindrance but an inspiration to improve one's status in life" and that "her businesses and various foundations that employ and extend benefits to those who are in need and have less in life are proofs of Ms. Mila del Sol's unwavering commitment to contribute to the improvement of Philippine society."[6]
Early life
editDel Sol was born inTondo, Manilaat the Mary Johnston Hospital. Her father, Amado C. Rivera, worked at the internal revenue service during the day, and was a waiter at night. He served as a guerilla in the Philippines during World War II. Her mother, Lorenza Villarba, stayed at home to raise eight children. Her younger brotherDuds Riverawas a news anchor forBig Newson ABC 5 (nowTV5) andNewsbreakforABS-CBNin the 1960s.[7]
Del Sol attended Malate Primary School, San Andres Elementary, and Intramuros Intermediate School. She could not go to high school, since she had to start working, at the age of 12. She later attendedHollywood High Schoolin the 1950s, after the birth of her third child. She took some courses atLos Angeles City CollegeandAteneo de Manila University.
Career
edit1938–1942
editDel Sol appeared in three films in 1938 (includingAng MayaoppositeFernando Poe, Sr.), but got her big break as a principal character in the 1939 classicGiliw Ko,for which she was honored by then Philippine PresidentManuel L. Quezon.[8]This was the first movie of the storied film production company. She made twelve other films for LVN during this period, includingHali(1940), an early example of theSaronggenre, andSawing Gantimpala(1940), which was based on a song written for del Sol byFirst LadyAurora Quezon.
1946–1952
editLVN stopped film production duringWorld War II,when the Philippines was occupied by Japan. Del Sol volunteered for the Red Cross, and frequented Prisoner of War camps along with other "Blue Ladies" of the Philippine film industry. LVN's first post-war film,Orasang Gintoagain starred del Sol. She made more than twenty other films during this period includingGarrison 13(1946), which recounted atrocities committed by theImperial Japanese Armyin the Philippines during the war.
1960 onwards
editDel Sol migrated to the United States, and lived there and in Europe for much of the 1950s. She returned to the Philippines in the 1960s, when she made two more films, and starred in the hit television seriesProblema Mo Na Yan.She continued her work as an actress well into her 80s, most recently as a lead in the television seriesRosalka.
Actors and directors
editDel Sol acted opposite all the male leads of her period, includingTeddy Benavídez,Fred Cortes,Armando Goyena,Fernando Poe, Sr.,José Padilla, Jr.,Ely Ramos,Jaime de la Rosa,Rogelio de la Rosa,andLeopoldo Salcedo.She was directed byLamberto V. Avellana,Emmanuel Borlaza,Manuel Conde,Ramon A. Estella,Gregorio Fernandes,Gerardo de León,José Nepomuceno,Vicente Salumbides,Manuel Silos,and Carlos Vander Tolosa.
Awards
edit- The Cinema's Living Treasure Citation,1994, The Metropolitan Manila Authority and The Metro Manila Film Festival
- Nagtatanging Gawad Urian,2013, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino[9]
- House Resolution No. 165 Honoring Clarita Villarba Rivera, Also Known As Mila Del Sol, For Her Contributions To The Movie Industry That Enriched The Philippine Culture, And To Philippine Society In General,2014, Philippine Congress
Business and philanthropy
editIn 1964, del Sol founded Superior Maintenance Services, which has employed over 100,000 people, and continues to be managed by her grandchildren.[5]Del Sol chaired the Pagasa ng Kabataan Foundation, which provides scholarships to indigent youth, and affordable housing to the elderly,[10]and the Mila del Sol &Eddie RomeroFund for Community Development, which supportsnonprofitsandnon-governmental organizationsfocused on local improvement. Del Sol has also been an active member or officer of several philanthropic organizations, includingLions Club,Mowelfund,thePhilippine National Red Cross,and theRotary Club.
Relationships
editDel Sol is the mother ofFilipinaactress and television host Jeanne Young, non-profit professionals Ancel Edgar Romero and Leo John Romero, grandmother of famed musicianIra Cruz,Philippine CongressmanGustavo TambuntingofParañaque,actorOnemig Bondoc,[11]and aunt of Former Mayor of MuntinlupaIgnacio Bunye.
Death
editShe died on November 10, 2020, in Parañaque, Philippines at the age of 97.
Selected filmography
editFilm
edit- 1938 -Ang Maya
- 1938 -Hatol ng Mataas na Langit
- 1938 - Mariang Alimango (X'Otic)
- 1939 -Giliw Ko(LVN)
- 1940 -Hali(LVN)
- 1940 -Prinsesa ng Kumintang(LVN)
- 1940 -Sawing Gantimpala(LVN)
- 1940 -Maginoong Takas(LVN)
- 1940 -Nag-iisang Sangla(LVN)
- 1941 -Angelita(LVN)
- 1941 -Hiyas ng Dagat(LVN)
- 1941 -Rosalinda(LVN)
- 1941 -Villa Hermosa(LVN)
- 1941 -Ararong Ginto(LVN)
- 1941 -Ibong Adarna(LVN)
- 1942 -Caviteno(LVN)
- 1946 -Orasang Ginto(LVN)
- 1946 -Garrison 13(LVN)
- 1946 -Alaala Kita(LVN)
- 1946 -Dalawang Daigdig(LVN)
- 1946 -Ang Prinsipeng Hindi Tumatawa(LVN)
- 1947 -Maling Akala(LVN)
- 1947 -Violeta(LVN)
- 1947 -Binatang Taring(LVN)
- 1947 -Sa Ngiti Mo Lamang(LVN)
- 1947 -Romansa(LVN)
- 1947 -Sarungbanggi(LVN)
- 1948 -Malaya (Mutya sa Gubat)(LVN)
- 1949 -Hiyas ng Pamilihan(LVN)
- 1949 -Kuba sa Quiapo(LVN)
- 1949 -Lupang Pangako(LVN)
- 1949 -Batalyong XIII(LVN)
- 1949 -Don Juan Teñoso(LVN)
- 1949 -Milyonaria(LVN)
- 1950 -Nuno sa Punso(LVN)
- 1950 -Dayang-Dayang(LVN)
- 1950 -In Despair(LVN)
- 1950 -Tatlong Limbas(FPP)
- 1951 -Reyna Elena(LVN)
- 1951 -Anak ng Pulubi(LVN)
- 1952 -Romansa sa Nayon(LVN)
- 1952 -Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba(LVN)
- 1957 -Escapade in Japan[12]
- 1960 -Pakipot[12]
- 1960 -Tatlong Magdalena
- 1961 -Espionage: Far East
- 1962 -Santa Clarang Pinung-Pino
- 1969 -Young Girl
- 1974 -Batya't Palu-palo
- 1989 -Kahit Wala Ka Na
Television
edit- Counterthrust[12]
- Rawhide
- Silent Service
- Problema Mo Na Yan
- Talagang Ganyan(withLeopoldo Salcedo,Dindo Fernando, and Jeanne Young)
- Rosalka(2010)
Notes
edit- ^"Screen legend Mila del Sol dies at 97".CNN Philippines.Archived fromthe originalon November 10, 2020.
- ^abcDanny Villanueva (1994). "Philippine Film". InNicanor Tiongson(ed.).CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.Vol. VIII (1st ed.). Manila:Cultural Center of the Philippines.p. 237.ISBN971-8546-31-6.
- ^Paras, Wilhelmina (1998-12-04)."Return of a Golden Oldie: A regional film-restoration effort bears fruit".Asiaweek Magazine.Retrieved2007-11-22.
- ^Francisco, Butch."Mila del Sol: Hard life, beginnings, romances, hollywood days, the bright twilight years".Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
- ^abProtacio, Romy R."Mila del Sol: Entrepreneur".Asian Journal.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-04-13.Retrieved2014-04-09.
- ^"HR 165".Philippine Congress.Archived fromthe originalon 2015-02-05.
- ^Bunye, Ignacio R.(November 16, 2020)."Bunye: Rest in peace, Mila del Sol".SunStar.SunStar Publishing Inc.RetrievedJune 5,2024.
- ^San Diego Jr., Bayani (September 29, 2008)."Little Miss Sunshine".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Archived fromthe originalon April 13, 2014.
- ^"Mila del Sol, Urian lifetime awardee".Philippine Daily Inquirer.13 Jun 2013.
- ^Carballo, Bibsy M. (December 2008). "Mila del Sol: Away from the Kleig Lights".Seniors Monthly.12:8.
- ^"Rest in peace, Mila del Sol".Manila Bulletin.
- ^abc"Mila del Sol in TV series".The Manila Times.The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 20, 1959.
Stars of episode 10 areTod Andrews,Mila del Sol and Vic Diaz, suported [sic] by Celia Rodriguez, Teddy Benaviez, Carpi Asturias and Teddy Hilado.
References
edit- Danny Villanueva (1994). "Philippine Film". InNicanor Tiongson(ed.).CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.Vol. VIII (1st ed.). Manila:Cultural Center of the Philippines.p. 237.ISBN971-8546-31-6.