Annabelle Rama celebrates 56th birthday aboard three yachts
Photography: Melo Balingit
Additional photos from:
Noel Orsal
Updated: 10/28/2008
Views: 975672
Last Saturday, October 25, the Manila Yacht Club glittered with stars—and diamonds of birthday lady Annabelle Rama.

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Annabelle Rama has every reason to hold a lavish birthday party this year: her beautiful family, a thriving talent management group, loyal friendships, and her "box-office star" title. And for a hard-working dynamo like Annabelle, she deserves nothing less.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Here's the main party area where guests mingled cheerfully, listened to cool music and enjoyed a grand view of Manila Bay.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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M/Y Wow Cruiser, owned by Wowowee host Willie Revillame, was one of the three luxurious yachts where Annabelle and her helpful friends threw the party.
The boat has plush cabins, fully air-conditioned upper and lower salons, a modern galley, and a spacious cockpit lounge area.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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The birthday lady (middle) with her husband Eddie Gutierrez (right) and yacht owner Willie.
"Itong yate na ito ay kay Willie. Ito yung sinasabi niya parati sa Wowowee, pinagamit niya sa akin..." Annabelle tells PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
Photography: Melo Balingit
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One of Kapuso Network's prized talents, Richard Gutierrez, took time off from a taping session to join his mom's celebration.
Richard simply relaxed and goofed around with his brothers.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Every Sunday, two of Annabelle's children appear on the competing giant networks: Raymond Gutierrez co-hosts Showbiz Central while Ruffa Gutierrez is in The Buzz. Rivalry is out of the question for these celebs.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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The birthday lady with her sons Rocky (right), Elvis (left) and Ritchie Paul (partly hidden).
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Mom Annabelle is also well-loved by her step-sons Ramon Christopher (far right) and Tonton, who arrived with wife Glydel Mercado.
They have only two words for the birthday lady: "The best."
Photography: Melo Balingit
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TJ Trinidad, who joined the talent management of Annabelle this year, dropped by.
His recent project was Regal Films's Mag-ingat ka sa...Kulam.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Lovely moms Almira Muhlach and Ana Roces bring bright colors to the party in their flowing spring dresses. Both ladies are managed by Annabelle Rama.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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The Paraiso siblings, Bubbles and Paolo, arrived in their stylish outfits.
The media crew approached Bubbles to clarify her reported issue with a fellow Kapuso star.
Ruffa remarked, "Wow, Bubbles! You're very controversial!"
Photography: Melo Balingit
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At the birthday party of Annabelle last year, it was announced that Michelle Madrigal (left), who was then a Kapamilya talent, would soon become one of Annabelle's alagas. A month later, Michelle was included in the cast of Kamandag.
So far, she has done one soap, Dyesebel, made several guestings and appearances on GMA-7 shows, and will soon be part of the upcoming TV series Luna Mystica.
Ehra, on the other hand, started her showbiz career in GMA-7. Talks have it that she's being eyed by Kapuso executives to do the remake of Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Celia Rodriguez (left) and Annabelle are both feisty, frank, and fun-loving.
Songs filled the air that night with saxophonist Michael Young. When Ms. Rodriguez heard "Moon River," she exclaimed, "That's my favorite!"
Photography: Melo Balingit
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They've been married for 10 years, but Lucy Torres and Richard Gomez still act like newlyweds.
They're always HHWW (holding hands while walking), like when they approach the buffet table, go to the rest room, and leave the venue. A rare perfect pair!
Photography: Melo Balingit
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That's Entertainment alumnae Beth Tamayo and Sunshine Cruz chat the night away while dining, but pause for a pose.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Pops Fernandez shows up alone. Her funky urban outfit reflects her vibrant personality.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Rhian Ramos (left) says her friendship with current screen partner JC De Vera is no gimmick.
The recent debutante tells PEP: "We're
just taking it easy and going natural. I think I like it better that way na
some things remain unsaid and we just go with our instincts."
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Senator Bong Revilla made time for Annabelle's birthday party.
Ruffa purposely avoided being photgraphed beside the senator. She said in jest: "'Hindi tayo dapat magtabi at baka ma-tsismis tayo. Hahaha!"
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Kapuso Network was represented by Annette Gozon-Abrogar, president of GMA Films, and her lawyer-husband Atty. Lito Abrogar.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Tim Yap left his party club Embassy for a while to greet his Tita Annabelle, "Happy birthday!"
Where this guy gets his energy? He's a TV personality, an eventologist, a model, student, columnist, and businessman. Does he still find time to sleep?
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Annabelle with Chavit (left) and Che Singson, the owners of the other yacht.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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This large, sleek yacht is the "Escalera," which reportedly cost four million U.S. dollars at the time it was bought.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Most guests preferred staying at the bow (front) area of the yacht to feel the wind on their faces.
From right to left: Ritchie Paul and his lovely date, Rocky, Richard, and Tonton.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Willie's smaller yacht M/Y Wow Cruiser II made a second trip for those who missed the first Manila Bay cruise that night.
The guy in yellow shirt is Willie; beside him is the camera-shy Nadia Montenegro.
On the upper deck are the sons, talent artists, and other guests of Annabelle.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Ruffa's adorable princesses, Venice (left) and Lorin, have a grand time cruising!
Here, the three ladies leave the photographers with a "picture-perfect" shot before the yacht starts to leave the dock.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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More well-wishers arrived to greet the birthday lady: (from left, seated) Daisy Romualdez, Alfie Lorenzo, and Assunta de Rossi.
Beth Tamayo (right) and Celia Rodriguez (left, standing) were among the last guests to leave the party.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Gretchen Barretto was definitely a scene stealer.
A few minutes after the cruise ships returned, her entourage, which included Dody Puno, arrived.
She was in a playful party mood. When asked about her late arrival, she rhetorically asked her friend Ana Abiera, "Why am I late? Bakit nga ba tayo late? Hahaha!"
Photography: Noel Orsal
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Rufa Mae Quinto's motto, it seems, when going to parties is: "Better late than never."
In several showbiz events, P-chi would usually arrive after midnight. That night, she arrived at past 1:00 a.m.
Photography: Noel Orsal
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But it is Gabby Concepcion who holds the record for "The Last Celebrity to Attend the Party."
As usual, even at 2:00 a.m., he looked fresh and handsome.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Her party was star-studded and filled with a lot of fun and fanfare. But here the camera catches the 56-year old Gutierrez matriarch-talent manager-actress in a quiet moment. Perhaps she's reflecting on the blessings that God has rewarded her. The Cebuana has truly come a long way from the "silent" movies wherein the script gave her no dialogue.
Her hard-driving showbiz career speeds on with everyone's birthday wish: Stay healthy and happy!
Photography: Melo Balingit
