From Popcorn Seller to Movie Mogul: The Life of Mother Lily Monteverde

Lily Yu Monteverde was a self-confessed movie fan. She also described herself as an adventurer. The youngest among 12 children of copra magnate, philanthropist, and educator Don Domingo Yu Chu and his wife Profetiza Buban Yu wasn't shy to admit that she would even cut classes just to watch her favorite movie stars.

"I looked in the mirror and said, 'Gusto kong maging artista. Kung hindi ako maging artista, I want to be a producer,'" she recalled to CHInoyTV in an interview.

She took up her formative education at St. Scholastica's College and later attended Maryknoll College (now Miriam College). In a twist of fate, she met school basketball star Remy Monteverde and fell madly in love. They decided to get married, which led to her not finishing her college education. "I courted my husband," she candidly told Kris TV.

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Starting Small, Dreaming Big

In 1961, Monteverde worked for her father-in-law, earning 200 pesos a day. When she had saved enough money, the young wife purchased two popcorn machines for 1,500 pesos each and began selling popcorn at a Cherry Foodarama branch in Mandaluyong and at Good Earth Emporium on Avenida Rizal in Manila.

Her passion for movies remained undiminished, and when she saved 7,000 pesos from her popcorn earnings, it was enough for her to purchase the screening rights to the Hollywood film All Mine to Give, starring Glynis Johns, Cameron Mitchell, and Rex Thompson. This venture earned a whopping half a million pesos in its one month of screening, encouraging the husband and wife to continue the business of film distribution.

Buoyed by their initial success, they expanded their operations and eventually moved into TV and film production. The first movie they produced was the sex comedy Magsikap: Kayod sa Araw, Kayod sa Gabi, starring Ronaldo Valdez, Elizabeth Oropesa, and Gina Alajar in 1976. The movie grossed seven million pesos. This was followed by Nino Muhlach's Peter Pandesal, which also did well at the box office.

'It’s not about the money'

Her passion for producing movies extends far beyond financial gain, she shared with CHInoyTV. "For me, it’s not about the money; it's about love and passion. It’s something you treasure deeply. It’s easy and inspiring when it comes from the heart. If I feel it, I want to act on it right away."

This is evident in films like Sister Stella L, Manila by Night, Relasyon and Broken Marriage. "Ang dami naming ginawa na against the government," she recalled in the same interview.

When asked about her being politically aware on Kris Aquino's show, she said, "I follow my heart. I genuinely love this country and have nothing more to say except my love for Filipinos."

The veteran film producer is also credited with the rise of the Regal Babies including Snooky Serna, Dina Bonnevie, Maricel Soriano, Alfie Anido, Albert Martinez, Gabby Concepcion, William Martinez, Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez, and Kris Aquino, and the production of over 300 films in a span of almost five decades.

Roselle Monteverde, who followed in her mother's footsteps in film production, described the Regal matriarch as "really hardworking and incredibly passionate about her work. She knows every detail."

True to her moniker "Mother Lily," she also acted as a mother to her stars. "Masasabi kong napaka-blessed ko dahil nagkaroon ako ng producer na kaibigan mo na nanay mo pa," shared the Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano on Kris TV. "Naramdaman ko yun, na ang turing niya ay anak talaga. Nandiyan na pasasabihan ka, nandiyan na paggalitan ka talaga, sasabihin sa'yo yung pagkakamali mo. Marami ako'ng natutunan, at pinagpapasalamat ko yun."

Even in the latter part of her life, it was Monteverde's fervent wish to help the Filipino movie industry grow by supporting a new generation of directors and talents. "When we go to festivals, they will be very proud to say that we are Filipino," she said.

Monteverde passed away on August 4, as confirmed by her son, UP Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde. She would have celebrated her 86th birthday on August 19.