Maria Luz Lilet Navarro Jodloman-Esteban (born January 17, 1974), professionally known as Lilet, is a Filipino singer, television host, actress, and model. She is known as "The Muse of OPM" (Original Pilipino Music).
Career As among the Filipino endorsers of Coca-Cola, Lilet first appeared in an international commercial, singing "Tomorrow's People", which was shot in Liverpool, England.
Her first musical album was entitled Lonely Girl, produced by GOI Records. Lilet's second album, (This Song's) Dedicated to You, was produced by Viva Records. Her third and fourth album, Kahit Minsan Lang and Lilet in Bloom, both under Alpha Records, included revivals of the classic OPM songs "Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib" and "Kaibigan Lang Pala".
Lilet joined That's Entertainment, and appeared in films such as Aso't Pusa, Estudyante Blues, Dear Diary and Pik Pak Boom. After a break to pursue studies in Japan, she released a comeback album with Ivory Music in 2003, under the name Marielle.
She joined A Song of Praise (ASOP) as a songwriter and her song, "You Are Lord of All", won Song of the Month in July 2014, the first one to garner a 99% score in the history of ASOP. She went on to compete in the grand finals on September 23, 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where the song was performed by Ava Olivia Santos of Freestyle. She was invited as guest performer at the ASOP 2015 grand finals.
On August 4, 2014, Lilet guested on ABS-CBN's The Singing Bee. This started her career in TV series, the first of which was Forevermore, followed by Langit Lupa, and A Love to Last. She has a supporting role in My Special Tatay, aired on GMA Network. This marked her television comeback in her mother studio where she first started and became a popular singer in the 1980s to early '90s.
Lilet had a jam session, "A Throwback Night", with ROCKOLAROCKOLA on October 21, 2017, singing hit songs of the '80s.
She was one of the surprise guests in Coke Studio's Homecoming last September 1, 2018 at the World Trade Center, singing a mash-up of their commercial jingle together with Nikki Gil and Abra.
Lilet is currently under Cornerstone Talent Management Center, and one of the endorsers of Marie France Philippines.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 1988 Pik Pak Boom Marie / Doll 1989 Aso't Pusa Lilian Estudyante Blues Marilen Dear Diary Pauline Carpio (segment: Dear Killer) 2015 Haunted Mansion Elly 2025PaquilBingOne Hit WonderCarmen
Television Year Title Role 1986–1993 That's Entertainment Herself / Performer1989Goin' BananasGuestRyan Ryan MusikahanHerself / Guest Performer 2003 SOP Herself / performer 2012 Wil Time Bigtime Herself2014 Mars Guest Sunday All Stars Herself / guest performer Sarap Diva Guest The Singing Bee Player Umagang Kay Ganda Guest ASAP Herself / guest performer Good Morning Kuya Herself2015 Forevermore Bettina Rosales Biyaheng Retro Herself Sunday PinaSaya Herself It's Showtime Herself Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Herself / player Wansapanataym: Selfie Pa More, Sasha No More Victoria Santillan2016 Family Feud Herself / player Wansapanataym: Holly and Mau Nathalie Arellano2017 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bituin Lovely Langit Lupa Teresa Principe Ipaglaban Mo: Hulidap Nanay Linda A Love to Last Amina Gonzales2018 Ipaglaban Mo: Haciendero Mrs. Calderon Wansapanataym: Gelli in a Bottle Choleng Alcantara I Can See Your Voice Guest star (winner) My Special Tatay Marissa "Isay" Mariano Wowowin Guest star Maynila: Set Up Emerald Mars Herself2019 Letters and Music: Young Once Upon a Time Season 3: host/performer Magpakailanman: Bata Bata Kriminal o Biktima Mylene Stories for the Soul: Bad Sam Claring Dear Uge Herself Beautiful Justice Marilen Bernardo Eat Bulaga! Guest Sarap, 'Di Ba? Guest / performer 2020 Magpakailanman: Kasal sa Funeral Neneng2021–2022 Himig ng Lahi: Sung Kaibigan Lang Pala Performer Niña Niño Gloria Domingo 2022 Wish Ko Lang: Tuli Lyric and Beat Isay Unica Hija Dr. Melinda Rivas2023 Family FeudHerself / PlayerPepito Manaloto: Tuloy ang KuwentoBarbara Montero2024Ang Himala ni NiñoGloria Domingo
Discography Studio albums Lonely Girl (1986) (This Song's) Dedicated to You (1988) Sana Kahit Minsan Lang (1990) (gold record) Lilet in Bloom (1992) Lilet: Greatest Hits, Alpha Records Sa Paglisan Mo (as Marielle) (2003)
Compilation appearances Best of Alpha Records OPM Stars of the 80s
Songs "Sana'y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan" (1985) – also covered by Zsa Zsa Padilla "Kahit Minsan Lang" (1987) – later covered by Regine Velasquez "Tuloy Pa Rin" (1989, Coca-Cola jingle version) – original by Neocolours; Lilet's version popularized in Coca-Cola ads "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (1980s) – cover of Dusty Springfield's 1966 hit "Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita" (1980s) – later covered by Roselle Nava "Sayang na Sayang" – duet with Ogie Alcasid "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang" – later covered by Janno Gibbs "I Will Always Love You" (live performances) – cover of Dolly Parton's 1974 song, popularized by Whitney Houston
References
External links Whatever Happened to these '80s Stars/Starlets/Lilets? 80s singer Lilet returns to showbiz via her first teleserye Forevermore