The poolside of Imperial Palace Suites vibrated with fun, laughter, singing, and dancing during the celebration of GMA-7 program manager Redgie Magno's 40-something birthday last night, January 7.
Only a few were invited, but all the guests surely knew how to party. As soon as the jamming session was opened by multi-awarded actor Ricky Davao with the English and Tagalog versions of "That's All," the frenzied atmosphere quickly set in.
The hilarious remarks of the hosts that evening, columnist-talent manager Jun Nardo and entertainment editor Dondon Sermino, had the small group roaring with laughter.
Among the showbiz personalities at the party were: Regal Films' matriarch Lily Monteverde who greeted veteran actor Eddie Garcia with a bear hug, and GMA-7's women force headed by senior vice president for entertainment Wilma Galvante, with vice president for entertainment Marivin Arayata, assistant vice president for drama Lilybeth Rasonable, and assistant vice president for alternative productions Gigi Santiago-Lara.
Eat Bulaga!'s lady chief Malou Choa-Fagar, talent managers Douglas Quijano, Annabelle Rama, and Manny Valera, and movie directors Chito Roño, Maryo J. delos Reyes, and Mac Alejandre also joined in the fun.
The celebrator, who's behind the successful TV series of Kapuso network's primetime block, was personally greeted by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who also attended her party last year; Tirso Cruz III, who came with his son Bodie and daughter Djanin; Yllana brothers Jomari and Anjo, with wife Jackie Manzano; Karla Estrada, who arrived solo; and ABS-CBN actor John Estrada, who brought his ladylove Priscilla Meirelles.
Latecomers were Bobby Andrews, who showed up with wife Bienne, and Richard Gomez.
Tita Redgie or Ms. Redgie, as she is called by most celebrities, was a picture of happiness and contentment.
Given the high ratings of the shows she handled—Mulawin (2004), Darna (2005), Asian Treasures (2007), Codename: Asero (2008), to name a few—the lady who began her career in television as a production assistant has come a long way.
Ms. Redgie told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "Passion ko na ito, alam mo...Ito yung legacy na iniwan sa akin ni Helen Vela, na sa sobra kong mahal yung trabaho ko, mahirap i-admit pero minsan mas nabibigyan ko ng priority yung work ko over my family..."
She used to be the executive producer of the Sunday afternoon program Loving Yours, Helen.
And even if the birthday girl spends more time on the set than at home, she's thankful that she's blessed with three wonderful kids: Pancho Angelo, Regine Noelle and Albert Gerald.
She related, "Thanks to God naman, na-raise ko naman ang mga anak ko [nang maayos]. Dalawa na yung graduate ko, isa na lang, yung bunso ko...As a single mom, [parang] ang hirap gawin, di ba? Pero yun ngang mga nasa showbiz-showbiz, they tell me na ‘dapat bigyan ka ng pedestal kasi mahirap yun...'
"Yun lang yung pasasalamat ko sa Diyos, kasi binigyan ako ng mga anak na hindi ako magkakaroon ng problema. Even though I'm a working mom, siyempre, hindi ko mabigay yung 100 percent ko sa family, and yet they understood."
She has a wonderful family, a good set of friends, a job she loves. Does she still find the need for a birthday wish?
The program manager of Totoy Bato, upcoming TV series of Robin Padilla, paused for a few seconds before saying, "For my family, good health. Yun number one, eh, good health. At saka secondary, related sa work...[sana] ma-settle ko yung mga ipo-produce na mga shows sa 2009. And I work hard naman para maging successful ang lahat ng mga shows ko."
To that, her closest friends say, "Amen."