SCREEN legend Lolita Rodriguez passed away in California last Monday, Nov. 28. She was 81.
Rodriguez, who is Lolita Marquez Clark in real life, had earlier suffered a stroke few months before her demise.
She was recipient of Best Actress awards for the movie “Gilda” (1956, FAMAS Awards), “Kasalanan Kaya?” (1968, Manila Film Festival), “Stardoom” (1971, Citizen Council for Mass Media Awards), “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang” (1971, FAMAS Awards), and “Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo” (1979, Metro Manila Film Festival).
Rodriguez also appeared in theater when she portrayed the role of Candida in the Philippine Educational Theater’s Association of “Larawan.”
Said to be one of the country’s best actresses, her last two movies were “Paradise Inn” by Celso Ad. Castillo in 1985 and “Lucia” directed by Mel Chionglo in 1992.
Rodriguez then 18 years old debuted in local cinema in the movie “Ang Ating Pag-ibig” starring Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran in 1953.
The next year, she starred opposite Dolphy and Rogelio dela Rosa in the comedy “Jack and Jill.” It earned her first FAMAS acting nomination for Best Actress. Her other nominations were from the movies namely “Busabos,” “Condenado,” “Sapagkat Kami’y Tao Lamang,” and “Andres Bonifacio (Ang Supremo).”
Born in Majayjay, Laguna, Rodriguez is the daughter of an American father and a Filipino mother. Later she married and divorced Eddie Arenas. They have three children.
In 1977, Rodriguez and her children migrated to Hemet, California to be with her mother and siblings.
Vivian Velez, who co-starred with Rodriguez in the movie “Paradise Inn,” paid tribute to the veteran star in her Facebook post following her death.
“Thank you for the wonderful memories. May you rest peacefully in the embrace of the Lord. We love you, Ms Lolita Rodriguez,” said Velez.