VETERAN showbiz columnist and talent manager Lolit Solis died on Thursday, July 3, after her long battle with kidney disease, as confirmed by her family. She was 78.
Solis’ death was confirmed by her daughter Sneezy in a message to the Inquirer on Friday, July 4.
“Our beloved Manay Lolit Solis has peacefully joined her Creator last July 3, 2025. Manay Lolit leaves behind a loving family and many friends who will always cherish her memory,” she said.
“We love you, our dearest Manay, and you will forever be in our hearts,” she added. “Rest well now in the loving embrace of our Lord.”
Showbiz columnist Gorgy Rula, who was designated as official spokesperson of the bereaved family, likewise said in his Facebook post on July 4 he would remember Solis as a “feisty and staunch loyal supporter, manager and friend.”
Veteran columnist and Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) president Salve Asis also echoed Sneezy and Rula’s sentiments and shared their statement on her Facebook page.
Actors Niño Muhlach as well as father and son Bong and Jolo Revilla also respectively paid tribute to the veteran showbiz personality through their Facebook pages.
“Paalam Nanay Lolit Solis,” Muhlach said.
“Paalam Nanay Lolit. Pahinga ka na. Wala nang sakit; wala nang hirap,” Bong said. “Maraming salamat sa pagmamahal at pagkalinga.”
“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,” he added.
Jolo likewise expressed his gratitude to Solis, recalling the time when she served as his talent manager.
Solis had been vocal about her medical condition through her social media pages, sharing instances from the hospital and from when she underwent dialysis treatment.
Just last April, the showbiz columnist disclosed that she had been undergoing dialysis treatment twice a week, with each session lasting for four hours.
“Salamat sa mga alaga ko, sa mga kaibigan, I can happily face and accept it,” she added. “Que sera, sera, what will be, will be. Remain standing, and not losing faith.”
In her last post shared on July 3, Solis lamented feeling “hopeless, helpless and weak” amid her condition, describing it as an “eye-opener” for her.
Controversial past
Solis made a name in the showbiz industry as an entertainment columnist, talent manager and a show host, including stints in the now-defunct talk shows “Startalk” and “CelebriTV.”
In 1994, she was involved in the “Manila Film Festival scam” where she admitted to manipulating the results for the Best Actor and Best Actress awards. Solis announced her then-talents Gabby Concepcion and Ruffa Gutierrez as the winners, instead of real winners Edu Manzano and Aiko Melendez.
Solis had reflected on this, saying it was both a nightmare and the biggest lesson in her life. (Anne Pasajol © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
