"I always dreamed of being a rock star and this is the closest I could get," Ricky Lee said during his closing remarks at the launching of Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata, his second novel after Para kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin) three years ago.
A rock star like Ely Buendia—who performed two songs with the band Pupil and sent fans screaming—Ricky Lee will never be.
The "closest" was a full-blown production of music, comedic spiels, and audio-visuals, with laser beams and klieg lights sweeping the huge venue last Sunday, November 27.
A celebration, actually!
Attendance surpassed the 1,200-capacity of Sky Dome, SM North Edsa.
This was no hakot crowd merely wanting to see their favorite stars.
They had bought Ricky's new novel already through the pre-selling strategy of his Philippine Writers Studio Foundation Inc.—the group of writers and other artists who worked the longest hours (labor of love) to realize the "super-successful launch," as member Dino Manrique put it on Facebook.
To rev up the vibes, a spectacular opening number—a dazzling cosplay of the various Amapola characters—entered the stage.
Winged models (aswangs) paraded in flamboyant gowns and costumes of all rainbow colors, and the audience went "WOW!"
VTR clips of showbiz personalities who have worked with Ricky in different movie and TV projects, appeared larger-than-life and heaped well-deserved praise on the hardworking genius of a screenwriter—directors Mac Alejandre, Joel Lamangan, Gil Portes, Olivia Lamasan, Rory Quintos, and Jerry Lopez Sineneng (program director).
National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera praised Ricky's generosity and encouraged him to continue writing literature.
Mac Alejandre said Ricky has a "beautiful, beautiful heart" and a "life that's open to extreme joy."
No need to guess who raised the loudest cheers and applause...!
Of course, Superstar Nora Aunor, whose name figures prominently in the novel; Star for All Seasons and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos; and matinee heartthrob Piolo Pascual, who thanked Ricky for influencing his poetry.
Wearing a violet, feather-lined terno, Nora acknowledged Ricky as her biographer (someday).
