The most moving moment (yes, the highlight) of Regal matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde’s 77th birthday last Friday, Aug. 19, was the loving hug and kisses the Birthday Lady planted on the cheek of her husband, Remy Monteverde (fondly and affectionately called as simply Father Remy by the industry guys).
Assisted by Stephen Tan, husband of the couple’s daughter Meme Monteverde, Father Remy was admittedly not in his San-Beda-star-player form, slightly bowed by the years, two years his wife’s senior. As cameras clicked, Father Remy broke into a weak smile after the kiss that launched a thousand sighs among the well-heeled well-wishers from showbiz, business, sports and politics.
All were accounted for at the Regal Events Place on Valencia St., Quezon City, owned and managed by Mother Lily.
There were some surprises, one of them the P1M Mother Lily donated to the MOWELFUND after Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo presented her a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the group that has been helping the less-privileged members of the industry.
“The check is not post-dated,” MOWELFUND officer Boots said in jest as she expressed “our profound gratitude.”
“I am rich,” Mother replied also in jest, “I have a lot of money.”
Three more groups gave Mother Lily their own plaques of appreciation, from the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), Enpress (Entertainment Press) and SPEED (Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors), each of which also got a P100,000 donation from Mother Lily who called the movie writers, “my unsung heroes.”
“Without them,” she stressed, “there wouldn’t be a Mother Lily, there wouldn’t be Regal Films.”
There was food aplenty. Between numbers during the program first hosted by Ai-Ai delas Alas, featuring songs by Janella Salvador, Derrick Monasterio, Laarni Lozada, the Koro Tomasino group, and movie writers Leo Bukas and Oghie Ignacio. Dressed in sparkling mini-skirt, comedian Atak (best friend of the late director Wenn Deramas) brought the house down with his performance.
Raul Sunico capped the program with renditions on his piano.
Among the star-studded guests were Susan Roces with daughter Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Eddie Gutierrez and wife Annabelle Rama, Donna Villa and husband Carlo J. Caparas, Sen. Dick Gordon with Philippine Red Cross governor Nesty Isla, Fil-Am mixed-martial artist Brandon Vera with wife Jessica, Ali Sotto, Tirso Cruz III with wife Lyn Ynchausti, Billy Crawford, Kean Cipriano and wife Chynna Ortaleza, Albert Martinez, Derek Ramsay, Lance Raymundo, GMA executives (Joey Abacan, Gigi Santiago-Lara, Redgie Magno, Lilybeth Rasonable and Marivin Arayata), ABS-CBN COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN president/CEO Carlo Katigbak, APT Entertainment Productions’ Malou Choa-Fagar (with friend Lawrence Tan), Regal-honed directors (Chito Roño, Mel Chionglo, Joel Lamangan and Joey Reyes), Anjo Yllana, Daiana Menezes, director Mac Alejandre and MTRCB chief Toto Villarreal (with members Mario Hernando, Joey Romero and Marra Lanot with husband Pete Lacaba.)
The party went on after the program.
According to the Chinese calendar, Mother Lily is actually 78 years old (baby is considered a year old at birth, with months in mom’s womb counted as one). She will be 80 years old next year, as per the Chinese calendar, and will skip 79th (age ending in 9 is considered “not good” by the Chinese).
Same time, same place, next year, Mother Lily!
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.) – Photos by Ian Fariñas & Ver Paulino