Screen legend Mila del Sol dies at 97

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 10) – Actress Mila del Sol, one of the queens of the golden age of the Philippine cinema, has died at the age of 97.

Her grandson, Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, made the announcement on Tuesday.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share that my beloved grandmother, Ms. Mila del Sol, our Lulay, ang Reyna ng Pinilakang-Tabing, passed away this morning at 1:10am," the lawmaker said in a statement. "She passed away in the home of her eldest son and my father, Sonny Tambunting."

Del Sol starred in over 40 Filipino films in the pre-war and post war-era, including Ibong Adarna (1949) and Villa Hermosa (1941).

"Being the link of the pre-war and the post-war era, Lola’s contributions to laying down the foundations of Philippine cinema has allowed her to be recognized as a true cornerstone of the industry," Tambunting added. "Before her passing, she was the only living movie star from the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema in the 1930s and 1940s."

Tambunting described Del Sol as a "loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother" who lived a long, charmed life.

She is survived by her children Sonny, actress Jeanne Young, Ancel Romero, and Leo Romero.