Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde (second from right) with (seated, from left) L.A.-based immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles, L.A.-based businesswoman Pia Legaspi and Candy Uy-Lim (whose family owns Gloria Maris/Greenhills); and (back row, also from left) Aster Amoyo, Shirley Pizarro, Ricky Lo, Jojo Gabinete and Gloria Maris exec Polly Ong.
MANILA, Philippines – Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde was in a celebratory mood. Her company, Regal Films, is shooting half a dozen movies, with her spirit boosted by the box-office success of her recent releases (one of them Love Is Blind, starring Derek Ramsay and Kiray, with a follow-up also starring Kiray with Enchong Dee opening first week of July).
“Enjoy life,” she kept reminding those who sat down with her for a sumptuous lunch at Gloria Maris Shark’s Fin Restaurant (Greenhills Shopping Center, Missouri St., San Juan City) consisting of the restaurant’s new addition to its already over-laden menu.
“She feels at-home here,” said Candy Uy-Lim whose family owns Gloria Maris. (On hand to help Candy entertain us were Gloria Maris executives Polly Ong and Gloria Chu.) “Her house is only two blocks away so she is here every day.”
Gloria Chu, Gloria Maris exec.
On the day we were there, Mother Lily presided over the round table (seating 12 hungry guests) and, between mouthfuls, signed checks while throwing in juicy bits from her life (she’s seriously contemplating on writing her autobiography and I suggested to her this title: Lily White: ATell-All Story of the Regal Matriarch).
So for more than one hour, food glorious food was served, gobbled up with gusto by the group composed of visiting immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles (back to L.A. yesterday) and her friend businesswoman Pia Legaspi, Jojo Gabinete, Aster Amoyo, Shirley Pizarro, this writer and Lhar Santiago (who joined later).
Here is the mouth-watering line-up (large sizes with corresponding prices):
(For inquiries or reservation, call 570-0921, 570-0923, 570-0924 or 570-0927. For delivery: 570-1000.) Photos By Ricky Lo