Three grand yachts, glamorous celebrities, and good food by k. (by cunanan catering) mark the birthday celebration of Annabelle Rama. But the major attraction of the party is the birthday lady herself.
She is not the typical host, who would greet her guests with the conventional "Thank you for coming..." Instead, she would ask them, "'Day, kumain ka na? Kain ka muna." That's the "Monster Mom" sans the camera, which rarely captures the warm and caring side of her strong personality.
The "intimate gathering" is classy, yet the ambiance is friendly and relaxed.
The guest list includes the big names in showbiz, but Tita Annabelle's glittering diamonds outshine them all.
At 56, the matriarch of the Gutierrez family seems to have every thing any woman could want—a beautiful family, loyal set of good friends, a stable of successful talents, and a "box-office star" title—so her birthday wish is simply: "Good health sa sarili ko, sa pamilya ko. [Sana] intact ang buong pamilya ko, saka yung mga talents ko, tuluy-tuloy ang pagsikat nila..."
BIRTHDAY WISHES. The celebrator's loved ones echo Annabelle's wish for good health.
Eddie Gutierrez: "Annabelle, happy birthday. Alam mo, we've been together for such a long time. And you are an inspiration to everybody—to me, your kids. And without you, I don't think we will be able to be where we are now. We love you very much. Stay healthy and beautiful and wealthy. Alam kong napakasipag mo, maabilidad ka, nasa sa iyo na lahat. I love you."
Ruffa Gutierrez: "My birthday wish for my mom is good health kasi lahat na ng success, meron siya. I think, financially, she's very successful. Buong pamilya niya, happy naman siya, so good health..."
Richard Gutierrez: "Happy birthday. I love you and take care of your health."
Raymond Gutierrez: "Mom, happy birthday. I love you very much, you know that. My wish for you this year is that for all of us to take a break, coz we're all so busy, and go on a really big family vacation so we can all start bonding again. Kasi we hardly see each other because we're all so busy. So that's my wish, for us to take a great, fun family vacation, and also, for her to take good care of her health.
Elvis Gutierrez: "Hi, Mama. Happy birthday. I wish you more success and good health, more successful alaga...Lahat ng alaga mo successful, I'm happy for you. And salamat sa lahat ng mga mabuting ginawa mo para sa akin, sa lahat ng mga kapatid ko. Salamat. I love you."
Rocky Gutierrez: "I wish her all the best sa lahat ng mga goals niya in life. I wish her more success at saka long, long, long life. I love you."
Tonton Gutierrez: Tita Annabelle, happy birthday to you. Simply you're the best. Wishing you all the best in life...Happy birthday. We love you.
Glydel Mercado: "Happy, happy birthday, Tita Annabelle. We wish you more, more blessings and more birthdays to come. We love you so much."
Ramon Christopher: "Good health, more success, and more blessings."
David Gutierrez, Annabelle's apo and Rocky's son: "I love you, Lola."
Ritchie Paul, the youngest among Gutierrez brothers, refuses to say any birthday message for his mom. "Nasabi ko na sa kanya," he quips.
THE WELL-WISHERS. Among the early birds are bosom buddies Ana Roces and Almira Muhlach, who are currently being managed by the birthday lady. After eating, they mingle with the guests for a while then leave the venue.
Eat Bulaga's lady boss Malou Choa-Fagar, PEP and YES! editor in chief Jo-Ann Maglipon, entertainment editor Cris Belen, and showbiz writers Jun Nardo and Allan Diones are at one table. They are later joined by Celia Rodriguez, whose pair of shoes earns a comment from Ruffa, "Akala ko ba sabi sa text, ‘leave your Manolos at home, bakit nag-Jimmy Choo ka pa rin?" The actress-host is referring to her mom's text invite regarding the dress code: "Dress for comfort with a touch of class. I suggest u leave leather shoes & the manolos [Manolo Blahnik, a shoe brand] at home."
The Madrigal sisters, Ehra and Michelle; and Paraiso siblings, Paolo and Bubbles, are present. The three ladies are talents of Annabelle. The very bubbly Tim Yap, TJ Trinidad, and host-model Phoem Baranda also show up.
Nadia Montenegro, who usually shies away from showbiz parties, arrives with her daughter Yna Asistio. After saying hi to the guests, Nadia chooses to stay in one of the luxurious cabins of M/Y Wow Cruiser, which is owned by Wowowee host Willie Revillame.
Tinseltown's IT couple Richard and Lucy Gomez also make time for Annabelle's birthday. The two are always invited to the Gutierrez parties and never miss them.
Sunshine Cruz and Beth Tamayo arrive without their respective husbands. PEP observes that Sunshine seems to avoid the table where Richard is seated. Are they still not on speaking terms? It will be recalled that last year, PEP also noted the snubbing incident between Sunshine and Lucy, but they both denied having a silent war. Or maybe we've just missed their exchange of pleasantries.
Pops Fernandez comes to the party sans boyfriend Jomari Yllana. She stays at the table of GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Abrogar, who is escorted by her husband Lito and Joey Abacan, vice president for GMA program management. Noticeably absent are the Kapuso Network's lady executives, who came in full force to Annabelle's birthday party last year.
La Lola's lead stars JC De Vera and Rhian Ramos are also there, and they rarely leave each other's side that night. But in separate interviews with PEP, the two say they're still in the "getting to know each other" stage.
Richard, who is always busy with his tapings, treats the night as bonding time with his brothers. Instead of staying at the main dining area, where most of the guests hang around, he is on the roof deck of one of the yachts. His twin bro Raymond does the same.
Chavit Singson, the owner of Escalera, the yacht which serves as one of the venues for the party, also makes time for the party. The politician is a close friend of the Gutierrezes.
At around 11:00 p.m., the two yachts give the guests a Manila Bay cruise.
When the two boats return, Annabelle is greeted by more showbiz personalities: talent manager Alfie Lorenzo, ABS-CBN executive Deo Endrinal, Assunta de Rossi, Rufa Mae Quinto, Miriam Quiambao, Cesar Montano, and Willie Revillame.
Gretchen Barretto's late arrival, as usual, causes quite a stir. She is accompanied by longtime friend and former actress Ana Abiera and Dody Puno, who distances himself from La Greta when the press people begin interviewing the controversial star. After her brief interview with the crew of The Buzz and Showbiz Central, Ruffa ushers Gretchen to one of the yachts.
Meanwhile, Nadia, who is already aware of the arrival of her former friend, remains in the other yacht. She tells PEP, "Okay lang ako dito."
The last celebrity to arrive is Gabby Concepcion.
Indeed, Manila Yacht Club gleams that night, but the brightest star of them all is none other than the birthday lady. At 56, Annabelle is bound to deliver more to the industry, which both fears and loves her.
And just like her diamonds, she is made under pressure.