Charles Teves
Talent manager Lolit Solis opens up about her decision to rig the 1994 Manila Film Festival.
In an interview with Ogie Diaz, she said she had to give her then client Gabby Concepcion the Best Actor award at the film festival because his career at the time was on a downward slope.
“That time, akala ko talaga ang magiging winner si Richard Gomez. Siyempre karibal ni Gabby eh. Di ko alam, si Edu Manzano pala ang mananalo dapat. Sabi ko, ‘ay hindi pwedeng Manalo si Richard, lalong babagsak si Gabby. So naisip kong siya dapat maging Best Actor.”
Had she known that Edu Manzano was the projected winner, the rigging might not have happened since the actor wasn’t considered a Concepcion showbiz rival.
“Pero kung alam ko si Edu mananalo ‘nun na di naman talagang direk na karibal ni Gabby, baka nagdalawang isip ako.” she added.
The announcing of the winners could’ve also remained as is if politicians weren’t in control of the program.
“Honestly, kung hindi lang kasali yung mga politician ‘dun sa film festival, kung showbiz lang ‘yun, ang reaksyon ng showbiz ‘Nako, yang Lolita na ‘yan may ginawa na namang kapalpakan.
“That time, parang nagamit rin ako para gumanda yung image nung mga politicians.”
Solis admitted her mistake which she says saved her career.
Her talents never left her and she is grateful for that.
“Sila talagang nagsabi ‘Hindi namin iiwan si Nay Solit.”
After the winners were announced at the festival, late Manila mayor Alfredo Lim went on stage and declared Edu Manzano and Aiko Melendez were the rightful recipients of the awards.
Lolit’s love for Concepcion wasn’t enough as he was also one of the whistleblowers who revealed that she masterminded the whole thing.
