Lolit Solis remembered by friends, stars as ‘solid rock’ but ‘often misunderstood’

The Philippine entertainment industry is mourning the loss of a prominent figure, veteran TV-radio host and columnist Lolit Solis, who passed away on Thursday, July 3, at the age of 78. Her daughter, Sneezy Solis, confirmed the news.

Known widely as "Manay Lolit," she was a fixture in showbiz, recognized for her bold and often provocative commentary across print and broadcast media. Beyond her columns, she co-hosted the long-running GMA-7 talk show 'Startalk' and the radio program 'Star Patrol'.

Solis was also a respected talent manager, guiding the careers of many notable personalities including Gabby Concepcion, Lorna Tolentino, Christopher de Leon, Rudy Fernandez, Tonton Gutierrez, Paolo Contis, and members of the Revilla family.

Following the news of her death, a wave of tributes from friends, celebrities, and industry colleagues appeared on social media. Many remembered her as a fiercely loyal supporter and friend.

Former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., who viewed Solis like family, shared a heartfelt message, calling her a "solid rock" and a "staunch defender." He expressed how her presence was like having a mother figure who cared for him and his family until her final days, describing her passing as a "tremendous loss." His son, actor-politician Jolo Revilla, also thanked her for her care and support during his acting career.

Fellow showbiz columnist Gorgy Rula and talent manager Noel Ferrer also paid tribute. Ferrer fondly recalled their daily exchanges and described Solis as the "glue" that brought people together. He characterized her as a "force of nature," acknowledged she was "often misunderstood" by the public, but emphasized her true nature to those close to her: a loving friend and doting figure.

Actress-singer Yasmien Kurdi shared a touching personal anecdote, saying Solis was like a "second Nanay" to her. She spoke of Solis's continued care even after she married and had children, recalling how her van was always filled with food. Kurdi also highlighted Solis's generosity, noting how the small gifts she received, or 'harbat', were often given away to others who needed them more, reflecting her caring nature.

Solis had been open about her health struggles, particularly her battle with kidney disease, sharing updates candidly on her Instagram. In April, she mentioned undergoing dialysis sessions twice a week.

Her last Instagram post offered a glimpse into her reflections, expressing gratitude to her medical team and acknowledging feelings of helplessness while ill, alongside acceptance and hope. She described the experience as an "eye-opener," concluding the poignant message with a characteristic witty remark related to recent public statements by actress Carla Abellana.

While loved for her loyalty by many talents, Solis's career was also marked by controversy. Notably, she was involved in the 1994 Manila Film Festival scam, admitting to manipulating awards results. She also gained attention in 2019 for a critical social media post directed at actress Janine Gutierrez following a tweet regarding Bong Revilla's return to television.