Lotlot de Leon took to social media to honor the memory of her beloved longtime family companion, Yaya Pat, who recently passed away. Surrounded by familiar faces who have long been considered family, Lotlot had a quiet reunion with those who had once been part of their household—their family’s personal assistants who had shared years of laughter, loyalty, and love with their family.
In a heartfelt post, the actress shared a photo of her late Yaya Pat alongside two other cherished companions: Kuya Gil, their former family driver, and Ate Amy, the sister of Yaya Pat and the longest-serving personal assistant of Lotlot’s late mother, Nora Aunor.
“For those who are truly close to us, they know these very special people well — Ate Amy (sister of Yaya Pat) and Kuya Gil. ❤️,” Lotlot wrote. “My goodness, so many funny and beautiful memories with them.”
Lotlot recalled how Ate Amy first joined their family when she was around 13 years old, accompanying her mother on and off for about 20 years. When the superstar later moved to the United States, Ate Amy briefly returned to Bicol before coming back to work for Lotlot’s daughter, actress Janine Gutierrez. “Sabe ko Ate Amy kailangan kita for Janine. And she said ‘okay’ with her always smiling face. 😍,” she remembered telling her.
READ: Lotlot de Leon grateful for her children: 'They were my walls of strength'
She also shared fond memories of Kuya Gil, affectionately called “Boks,” who became their trusted driver and eventually part of their household’s extended family: “No joke - before bago ako bigyan ng flowers ng manliligaw ko eh they had to make sure they gifted Kuya Gil with a chicken first!” Lotlot wrote as she recalled the mornings and afternoons filled with the sound of roosters in their four-story home on Scout Limbaga Street.
Kuya Gil, whom Nora met through Regal Films’ Mother Lily Monteverde, became so beloved by the family that he stayed with them for decades, driving Lotlot to school and later her children. Now retired and living in the province, he still keeps in touch — and made sure to be present at Yaya Pat’s wake.
Lotlot described how the trio, Yaya Pat, Ate Amy, and Kuya Gil, shared not only years of service but a genuine bond that transcended work. “Pag magkakasama, naku, puro masasayang kwentuhan! 😂 Sila-sila din minsan nag-iinisan, pero always, always love nila ang isa’t isa. ❤️,” she said.
As she mourned the loss of Yaya Pat, Lotlot expressed her deep gratitude to the people who stood by her family through every season of their lives. “I grew up with them. So did my kids. And I am just so truly grateful for their love for me and my family,” she wrote. “Lahat ng personal alam nila about my family — maganda, malungkot, kasiyahan, at mga pagsubok — at never nila kame iniwan. Hindi matatawaran ang pagmamahal, malasakit, at loyalty nila sa pamilya ko. Mula kay Mommy, sa akin, at sa mga anak ko.❤️️”
In closing, Lotlot shared a simple but loving message to her comapnions turned into family: “Love you Te Ams and Bok! 🥹❤️ We miss you, ya! 💜”
Following the post, Lotlot shared a photo with siblings Matet, King, and Ken, who also visited the wake of their beloved Yaya Pat.
“Mga kapatid ko, Tam, King and Ken love you! Salamat, I’m sure napasaya nyo si yaya sa pag punta nyo. 🥹💟,” the caption read.
It was on November 6 that Lotlot announced the passing of Yaya Pat, whom she described as “one of the greatest blessings” she ever had.
—By Alyana Cabuhat De Guzman