Mila del Sol facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mila del Sol
Mila del Sol, Gawad Parangal night, 2010
Born	Clarita Villarba Rivera (1923-05-12)May 12, 1923 Tondo, Manila, Insular Government of the Philippine Islands, U.S.
Died	November 10, 2020(2020-11-10) (aged 97) Parañaque, Philippines
Occupation	Philippine actor entrepreneur philanthropist
Years active	1937–1952; 1957–2010
Relatives	Gustavo Tambunting (grandson) Onemig Bondoc (grandnephew) Ira Cruz (grandson) Ignacio Bunye (nephew)

Clarita Villarba Rivera, known by her screen name Mila del Sol (born May 12, 1923 – died November 10, 2020), was a Filipina actress, businesswoman, and someone who helped others a lot (a philanthropist). She was born in Tondo, Manila.

Mila became famous very quickly. Her first main role was in the 1939 film Giliw Ko. The president of LVN Pictures, Doña Sisang de Leon, discovered her. She insisted that Mila be in the movie, even though the director thought she was too young. The film's director, Carlos Vander Tolosa, gave her the name Mila del Sol. He said it was because she made the sun (sol) appear like a miracle (milagro) on his movie set.

Movie making stopped during the Japanese occupation. It started again in 1945. Mila del Sol went back to LVN. She starred in Orasang Ginto, which was the first Filipino movie made after the war. She also appeared in other LVN films in the 1940s, like Ibong Adarna (1949).

Mila del Sol stopped making films in the 1950s to focus on her family. She returned to acting in 1960 with two movies, Pakipot and Tatlong Magdalena. The next year, she was in an international film called Espionage Far East. Later, she starred in a long-running TV show. She started her own business in 1964. From the 1970s onwards, she spent a lot of time helping people.

Pope Francis gave Mila del Sol a special blessing for her 90th birthday.

In December 2014, the Congress of the Philippines honored Mila del Sol. They passed Resolution No. 165. This resolution thanked her for her work in movies and for helping Philippine society. It said that Mila del Sol showed that being poor should not stop you from improving your life. It also mentioned her businesses and foundations. These helped many people who needed jobs and support.

Early Life and Education

Mila del Sol was born in Tondo, Manila, at the Mary Johnston Hospital. Her father, Amado C. Rivera, worked for the government during the day. At night, he was a waiter. He also fought as a guerilla during World War II. Her mother, Lorenza Villarba, stayed home to raise their eight children.

Mila went to Malate Primary School and San Andres Elementary. She also attended Intramuros Intermediate School. She could not go to high school right away. She had to start working at age 12. Later, in the 1950s, she went to Hollywood High School. This was after her third child was born. She also took some classes at Los Angeles City College and Ateneo de Manila University.

Career in Film and Television

Early Films (1938–1942)

Mila del Sol was in three films in 1938. One of them was Ang Maya with Fernando Poe, Sr.. Her big break came in 1939. She played a main character in the classic film Giliw Ko. The Philippine President, Manuel L. Quezon, honored her for this role. This movie was the first for the famous film company, LVN. She made twelve more films for LVN during this time. These included Hali (1940) and Sawing Gantimpala (1940). The song for Sawing Gantimpala was written for her by First Lady Aurora Quezon.

Post-War Films (1946–1952)

LVN stopped making movies during World War II. Japan occupied the Philippines then. Mila del Sol volunteered for the Red Cross. She often visited Prisoner of War camps. LVN's first movie after the war was Orasang Ginto. Mila del Sol starred in it again. She made over twenty more films during this period. One was Garrison 13 (1946). This movie told about the bad things done by the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines.

Later Career (1960 onwards)

Mila del Sol moved to the United States. She lived there and in Europe for most of the 1950s. She came back to the Philippines in the 1960s. She made two more films and starred in the popular TV show Problema Mo Na Yan. She kept acting even when she was in her 80s. Her most recent role was in the TV series Rosalka.

Working with Other Actors and Directors

Mila del Sol acted with many famous male actors of her time. These included Teddy Benavídez, Fred Cortes, Armando Goyena, Fernando Poe, Sr., José Padilla, Jr., Ely Ramos, Jaime de la Rosa, Rogelio de la Rosa, and Leopoldo Salcedo. She was directed by well-known directors like Lamberto V. Avellana, Manuel Conde, and Gerardo de León.

Awards and Honors

• The Cinema's Living Treasure Citation, 1994, from The Metropolitan Manila Authority and The Metro Manila Film Festival.
• Nagtatanging Gawad Urian, 2013, from Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
• House Resolution No. 165 Honoring Clarita Villarba Rivera, Also Known As Mila Del Sol, For Her Contributions To The Movie Industry That Enriched The Philippine Culture, And To Philippine Society In General, 2014, from the Philippine Congress.

Business and Helping Others

In 1964, Mila del Sol started a company called Superior Maintenance Services. This company has given jobs to over 100,000 people. Her grandchildren still manage it today. Mila del Sol also led the Pagasa ng Kabataan Foundation. This foundation gives scholarships to young people who need help. It also provides affordable homes for older people. She also helped start the Mila del Sol & Eddie Romero Fund for Community Development. This fund supports groups that work to improve local communities. Mila del Sol was also an active member of many other groups that help people. These included Lions Club, Mowelfund, the Philippine National Red Cross, and the Rotary Club.

Family Connections

Mila del Sol is the mother of Filipina actress and TV host Jeanne Young. She is also the mother of Ancel Edgar Romero and Leo John Romero. Her grandchildren include the famous musician Ira Cruz, Philippine Congressman Gustavo Tambunting, and actor Onemig Bondoc. She is also the aunt of former Mayor of Muntinlupa, Ignacio Bunye.

Death

Mila del Sol passed away on November 10, 2020, in Parañaque, Philippines.

Selected Filmography

Film

• 1938 - Ang Maya
• 1938 - Hatol ng Mataas na Langit
• 1938 - Mariang Alimango (X'Otic)
• 1939 - Giliw Ko (LVN)
• 1940 - Hali (LVN)
• 1940 - Prinsesa ng Kumintang (LVN)
• 1940 - Sawing Gantimpala (LVN)
• 1940 - Maginoong Takas (LVN)
• 1940 - Nag-iisang Sangla (LVN)
• 1941 - Angelita (LVN)
• 1941 - Hiyas ng Dagat (LVN)
• 1941 - Rosalinda (LVN)
• 1941 - Villa Hermosa (LVN)
• 1941 - Ararong Ginto (LVN)
• 1941 - Ibong Adarna (LVN)
• 1942 - Caviteno (LVN)
• 1946 - Orasang Ginto (LVN)
• 1946 - Garrison 13 (LVN)
• 1946 - Alaala Kita (LVN)
• 1946 - Dalawang Daigdig (LVN)
• 1946 - Ang Prinsipeng Hindi Tumatawa (LVN)
• 1947 - Maling Akala (LVN)
• 1947 - Violeta (LVN)
• 1947 - Binatang Taring (LVN)
• 1947 - Sa Ngiti Mo Lamang (LVN)
• 1947 - Romansa (LVN)
• 1947 - Sarungbanggi (LVN)
• 1948 - Malaya (Mutya sa Gubat) (LVN)
• 1949 - Hiyas ng Pamilihan (LVN)
• 1949 - Kuba sa Quiapo (LVN)
• 1949 - Lupang Pangako (LVN)
• 1949 - Batalyong XIII (LVN)
• 1949 - Don Juan Teñoso (LVN)
• 1949 - Milyonaria (LVN)
• 1950 - Nuno sa Punso (LVN)
• 1950 - Dayang-Dayang (LVN)
• 1950 - In Despair (LVN)
• 1950 - Tatlong Limbas (FPP)
• 1951 - Reyna Elena (LVN)
• 1951 - Anak ng Pulubi (LVN)
• 1952 - Romansa sa Nayon (LVN)
• 1952 - Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba (LVN)
• 1957 - Escapade in Japan
• 1960 - Pakipot
• 1960 - Tatlong Magdalena
• 1961 - Espionage: Far East
• 1962 - Santa Clarang Pinung-Pino
• 1969 - Young Girl
• 1974 - Batya't Palu-palo
• 1989 - Kahit Wala Ka Na

Television

• Rawhide
• Silent Service
• Problema Mo Na Yan
• Talagang Ganyan (with Leopoldo Salcedo, Dindo Fernando, and Jeanne Young)
• Rosalka (2010)

See also

In Spanish: Mila del Sol para niños