Veteran actress Lollie Mara passes away at 86
Veteran actress Gloria "Lollie" Mara has passed away at 86.
The Be Careful with My Heart star's family announced her death through a Facebook post on Oct. 18 evening.
"We are all heartbroken. Words cannot express how much our mom meant to us," they wrote. "She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, friend, and so much more to many. She was the strongest, most compassionate, and deeply loving woman we've ever known. Loly had a rare gift for making everyone feel seen, heard and cherished."
"Thank you mom for everything. We love you with all of our hearts and know that your love lives on in all of us."
Film Development Coucil of the Philippines Chairman Joey Javier Reyes also paid tribute to the actress with a post.
"You have been part of so many of my television and film projects that you have practically become a regular fixture on my sets. Nwo it breaks my heart to find out you have left us to return home to our father," he said.
Star of the screen
Born in 1939, Mara appeared in films since the 1980s, including as an "ermat" or mother in Bagets 2, Pasayo, Nimfa, Barbi for President (First Lady na Rin), Biktima, Dinampot ka lang sa putik, Forevermore, and Unang Tibok ng Puso.
She has also taken her talents to TV, starring in Coffee Prince, Be Careful with My Heart, Kambal, Karibal, Magpakailanman, and Maalaala Mo Kaya.
In the comedies Praybeyt Benjamin and its sequel The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin, Mara portrayed the grandmother of Vice Ganda's character Benjie.
Additionally, she starred in Shake Rattle and Roll X as Mother Agnes in the "Class Picture" segment and in Shake Ratle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion as Hank's mother in the "Unwanted" segment.
In 2016, she also won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Poching at that year's Cinemalaya Film Festival alongside I, America star Elizabeth Oropesa.
Apart from her on-screen roles, Mara became the head of Radio Television Malacañang, which documents and broadcasts the president's activities, during the late former president Fidel Ramos' administration.
