IT’S NOT ONLY the literary world that is in mourning. Popular entertainment is in it as well as multimedia giant Marra PL Lanot had embraced diverse mediums from literature to film to theater and television.
Marra recently passed on leaving behind interconnected media alliances she had lovingly nurtured when she was still alive.
An awarded fiction and non-fiction writer, Lanot had encompassed from the popular culture to specialized arts and other allied aesthetics.
As a matter of course, music was also her passion although she had a penchant for it, especially classical music, an intrinsic appreciation which was intensified because of her filial piety with first cousin, piano progeny Cecile Licad.
While she was famously adored and widely published as a poetess of multilingual discipline from Filipino to English to Spanish who came out with several collections of poetry and short stories, she ventured into film scripting with husband and literary giant Jose F. Lacaba, particularly the screenplay of “Paano Ba Ang Magmahal,” a love story that starred Nino Muhlach, Aga Muhlach, Amalia Fuentes and Eddie Rodriguez directed by Manuel “Fyke” Cinco for Wonder Films in 1984.
In her stint as a film scriptwriter and a showbiz denizen of sort, Marra was able to link up, and develop not only professional ties but friendship as well, with many pop figures like Bibeth Orteza, Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Raquel Villavicencio, Gina Alajar and many more including the late Lino Brocka, now National Artist for Film, the feisty Armida Siguion-Reyna and the still missing TV host, entertainment writer, talent manager, star builder and producer Boy C. de Guia.
The Lanots and the Lacabas are friends to National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin.
Marra was also a teacher who taught journalism and creative writing at UP.
Before her death, Lanot was the Editor of Philippines Graphic Reader.
She was also a former long-time Board Member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), the agency who mourns her sudden demise.
According to the press release issued by the MTRCB, she was “a multi-awarded titan of Philippine literature, journalist, and advocate of culture and the arts, Lanot served as MTRCB Board Member across the administrations of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Benigno Aquino III, championing gender sensitivity, artistic integrity, and responsible media consumption.
“Lanot is survived by her husband, former MTRCB Vice Chairperson, award-winning screenwriter, and journalist Pete, her son Kris, her three grandchildren and two siblings.
“The MTRCB extends its sincerest sympathies to her family, friends, and loved ones, and pays tribute to her years of selfless service to the public and her commitment to Philippine culture and the arts.
“May her dedication to excellence, artistic advocacy, and integrity continue to inspire future generations of Filipinos.”
Marra died last August 16, 2026 of a still undisclosed cause.
Lanot was 82.
Meanwhile, Kris and his wife Kit have announced a public message on their Facebook pages:
“Mahal na mga kaibigan at kasama ni Nanay (Dear friends and colleagues/comrades of Mom) Marra
“Paumanhin po na wala pang maibigay na tiyak na detalye sa ngayon ukol sa burol. Inaasikaso pa po namin ang magiging arrangements. Umasa po kayo na ipapamahagi ang mga detalye sa lalong madaling panahon. Hinihiling po namin na maging bukas ang lahat na dumalo sa mga paparating na mga araw (Apologies for not giving yet final details of a funeral wake. We are still setting arrangements. You can expect the details to be disseminated as soon as possible. We request and hope that you are open to pay your last respects to her in the next few days).
“Matutuwa pong lubos si Nanay kung maibabahagi ninyo ang mga performance tulad ng pagbabasa ng mga akda at pag-alay ng kanta, tugtog, sayaw at iba pa sa gagawing selebrasyon ng kanyang buhay. Iparating lang po ninyo sa amin kung nais ninyong maisama sa programa at ano ang kakailanganin pagdating sa equipment or tech. At syempre, malulugod po rin kaming tanggapin ang inyong mga pananalita o mensahe para kay Nanay, maging in-person sa gagawing programa o sa pamamagitan ng video kung hindi kayo makakadalaw. Magmessage lamang po (Mom will be happy if you could share performances like reading various literary pieces and tributes through songs, music, dance and other forms of participation in the celebration of her life. Just let us know if you want them included in the program and the necessary requirements like equipment or tech. Of course, we would appreciate it very much your homages and messages for Mom, in-person or video if you couldn’t be physically around. Just send us messages).
“See you all soon at maraming, maraming salamat (and thank you so much).”