Anna Maria marks 21st B-day with private cruise party

Former Disney artist Anna Maria Perez de Tagle has a lot to be thankful for. She’s the latest Filipino talent to conquer the world stage, cast in the Broadway Godspell where she gets to sing Day By Day, the most popular song from the musical.

The daughter of Artie Perez de Tagle and granddaughter of Sylvia La Torre, Anna Maria had a good reason to celebrate her 21st birthday in style — a private cruise party along Hudson River in New York and New Jersey no less in the wee hours of the cold winter night of Dec. 23.

“Showcasing her svelte frame in a floor-length blue gown, Anna welcomed the revelers who were dressed to the nines, mostly Anna Maria’s co-stars and colleagues from Godspell,” reported Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre.

Her well-wishers, including Korina Sanchez, wined and dined aboard U.S.S. Respect (by Statue Cruises) with unlimited alcohol beverages and buffet (from baked salmon stuffed with shrimp, and roast beef cooked to perfection, to out-of-this-world cakes and pastries by the famous Sugar and Plumm NYC).

Left: Having her first ‘official wine’ from Hunter Parrish. Right: Dancing with her father, Artie Perez de Tagle.

Added Edmund (who interviewed Anna Maria for Funfare), “And with the glistening lights of Manhattan skyline in the background, everyone was treated to a Philippine-style debut bash, usually reserved for girls who turn 18.”

The night’s emcee, Anna Maria’s lovely aunt Gertrudes “Tutut” Guiang, explained that Anna Maria wasn’t able to experience the coming-of-age traditional party when she reached 18 because she was simultaneously working for the Hollywood film Fame and the TV-movie Camp Rock.

Just the same, perhaps to make up for lost time, although there was no grand Cotillion, Anna Maria had a “21 Roses Dance” with 21 of the most special men in her life, including her dad Artie and Kuya King (both dapper that night), and her Camp Rock co-star Justin Deanda who is reportedly courting Anna Maria.

As she hit the legal drinking age, Anna Maria had her first official sip of wine courtesy of actor Hunter Parrish (who plays Jesus in Godspell), who handed the celebrator a wine glass amid the crowd’s cheers.

“I’ve tried wine before at some functions, but it’s a lot cool knowing that you can now do it openly without wondering if you’re doing something illegal,” a laughing Anna Maria later told Funfare.

But just because she’s of legal age doesn’t mean she’ll turn wild or do anything her heart desires.

Said Edmund, “Ask anyone in her Disney family and they’ll tell you the girl has a squeaky-clean personality, both on and off cam, that sets her apart from other young stars.”

Unknown to many, Anna Maria never talks back to her parents (never!) and Disney insiders can attest to this. She never fails to attend Sunday Mass except for Godspell performances that force her to take Saturday service at St. Malachy’s Church (a.k.a. The Actor’s Chapel) near her Manhattan penthouse pad.

“If there’s one last remaining ‘perfect’ girl on the planet, it could be Anna Maria,” her friends told Funfare.

Good thing Anna Maria is her own watchdog, said her parents who provided their three children solid moral foundation as kids. No wonder Anna Maria’s two role models, aside from her adorable mom Evelyn, are also two of the most wholesome figures in Philippine showbiz — her legendary Lola Sylvia La Torre (known for her “Filipino custom, no touch” rule) and Lea Salonga who was chaperoned by her mom Ligaya until she was 29.

“Wengky (Anna Maria’s nickname) is still our baby,” said her dad, “and nothing’s gonna change that.”

“She’s so focused at her craft and career,” said her mom. “I can tell you she has no time for matters of the heart, at least for now. It’s her choice and she knows it can wait.”

When it comes to work, Anna Maria’s “a pro,” according to Glee actor and Godspell co-star Telly Leung.

Telly, who probably owns the most magnificent singing voice among Asian American actors, told Funfare that Anna Maria is “hard working” and “dedicated” and genuinely enjoys what she’s doing.

Seated, from left: Anna Maria’s brother King and mom Evelyn, and Korina Sanchez. Standing, also from left: Lorenzo Valdes and wife Lori, Anna Maria, dad Artie and Girlie Rodis. Right: Dancing with Camp Rock Justine Deanda who is reportedly courting Anna Maria.

“I should know because we were there before her,” said Telly. “We were ‘her’ when we were starting on Broadway and I know that she was born to do what she’s doing.”

Speaking of Korina, she joined the cruise with Girlie Rodis. Korina is in New York (for the nth time) with husband DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas for a two-week “second honeymoon.” They’ve watched several Broadway shows and tried New York’s new fancy restaurants.

Noted Edmund, “The ageless and popular journalist sat quietly with Girlie and family members of the celebrator, and gamely posed for photos with star-struck guests who follow her on The Filipino Channel. As the yacht passed by the majestic Statue of Liberty, Korina joined the others who stood up near the windows to marvel at the famous lady. “How nice,” Korina uttered.

Edmund: “Others like Hunter Parrish, Terry Leung, Uzo Aduba and the half-Pinoy George Salazar, rushed to the cruise deck outside and braved the biting cold weather to have their photographs taken with the famous statue in the backdrop. Inside, guests continued to hit the dance floor to tunes like Moves Like Jagger and Teach Me How To Dougie, until U.S.S. Respect returned to Manhattan’s Battery Park before 4 a.m.

“Anna Maria and the entire Godspell team, led by its director Daniel Goldstein (the only one who was not able to join the cruise party due to pressing family matters), are in for another celebration as their cast album released last Dec. 20 for digital download reached the No. 1 spot on iTunes’ soundtrack chart with a strong boost, of course, from Anna Maria’s dazzling rendition of the hit musical’s most popular song Day By Day.”

Produced by Stephen Schwartz, Michael Holland, Kurt Deutsch and executive producer Ken Davenport (who also produces the revival), the 18-track recording will be released in stores Jan. 31, 2012, according to Playbill.com.

* * *

MVP didn’t buy GMA 7

FLASH: Rumor has been circulating in the Internet that Manny V. Pangilinan has bought GMA 7. Many people doubted if MVP did. Why should he when he already owns TV5, the Kapatid Network? Here’s the official statement from the Kapuso Network:

“There is no truth to the rumor circulating that Manny V. Pangilinan has bought GMA 7. In fact, there are NO NEGOTIATIONS at all between GMA 7 and Manny V. Pangilinan.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)