The venue is adorned simply. Four life-sized tarpaulins cover the wall. Roses serve as centerpiece to each table. Lights are dimmed; music of the '70s plays in the background. But the occasion that night, October 28, is not ordinary at all. Aside from the fact that it is the day prior to barangay elections, it is also the birthday of Annabelle Rama.
At 8:30 p.m., the entire Thai at Silk restaurant in Piazza, Serendra, The Fort suddenly lights up. Even early birds Douglas Quijano and his ward Wendell Ramos, Eat Bulaga lady chief Malou Choa-Fagar, YES! magazine's Anna Pingol, and Melissa Mendez stop in their tracks to focus their attention on the woman who's approaching the entrance. And she's none other than the birthday celebrant, who looks definitely younger than 55. Annabelle's black dress, silver Chanel bag, and diamonds have literally brought more elegance and sparkle to the room.
After acknowledging the presence of her guests, she issues last-minute instructions to her staff and the waiters.
"'Day, bigyan na ng wine ang table na ito." "Maglagay ng table dito." "Yung lechon, hiwain na." "Dapat may magbantay sa entrance."
When she reaches our table, she says it was Ruffa who chose the venue. "Masarap kasi ang pagkain." The bubbly birthday lady talks non-stop—from her simple wish to Chanel bags and shoes to lechon.
"Hay, tuwang-tuwa ako at natupad na ang pangarap ko na kantahan niya ako," she exclaims. (Her husband Eddie Gutierrez sang his Elvis Presley favorites, Love Me Tender and Loving You, on television that afternoon.)
"Itong bag ko? Chanel. Bigay lang sa akin iyan. Meron akong kaibigan na mag-asawa sa States, binigyan nila ako ng limang sapatos at limang bags. Lahat Chanel. Pero hindi naman ako showbiz kaya yung apat na sapatos, binigay ko kay Ruffa ang apat. Sa akin iyong isa. Yung bags at mga damit niya sa TV, galing lahat iyon sa akin. Binigay ko na lang sa kanya."
Then she continues, "Yung lechon, sampu, pero walo lang nandito. Pinadala ko sa taping yung dalawa. Galing sa Cebu."
THE GUESTS. The invitation says "7:30 p.m." but guests start arriving at 9:00 p.m—GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar and husband Lito, Richard Gomez with wife Lucy Torres and her brother Matt, and GMA-7 top executives Wilma Galvante, Marivin Arayata, Lilybeth Rasonable, Darling de Jesus, Redgie Magno, and talent manager Shirley Kuan.
The hosts in the Gutierrez family, Raymond and Ruffa, head straight to Serendra right after Showbiz Central and The Buzz. Richard arrives a bit late; Annabelle says he had to finish his pictorial for Kamandag. Tonton Gutierrez, wife Glydel Mercado, and Ramon Christopher also make time for the special day of their stepmother.
Bystanders have a blast watching the celebrities come in and out of the intimate party. Ruffa's friends—Gretchen Barretto, Nadia Montenegro, Almira Muhlach, Ana Roces, Joyce Jimenez, Assunta da Rossi—bring in glam and fun. Raymond's showbiz buddies Bianca King, Ehra Madrigal, JC de Vera, Rhian Ramos, and Alfred Vargas are also there.
Also part of the guest list are German Moreno, Philip Salvador, singing couple Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Pia Guanio, Sunshine Cruz, Mark Anthony Fernadez, John Lapus, Faith Cuneta, and Snooky Serna. Solar Sports bigwig Wilson Tieng and Drs. Manny and Pie Calayan also grace the occasion.
THE FOOD AND DRINKS. Aside from the crispy lechon, the long buffet table serves pomelo salad, broccoli leaves and mushrooms, fish fillet, beef curry, Thai barbeque chicken, tapioca, and kakanin topped with ripe mango. The people in our table agree with Ruffa, "The food is yummy."
Due to the scheduled election the next day, October 29, the liquor ban is enforced. But in Tita Annabelle's, as most people in showbiz call her, party—there's a downpour of beer and red wine.
BIRTHDAY WISHES. Close to midnight, Ruffa asks the Asia's Songbird to sing happy birthday. Regine gladly obliges.
