‘Lola Flora’ a hit at Danny’s B-day party

Peace be with you!

After the celebrant ended the Mass with that peace offering, followed by the well-heeled guests greeting everybody likewise, some of the almost a dozen priests approached the table of Susan Roces, the famous and well-loved “Lola Flora” of the widely-popular FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, saying, “We watched you every day,” and posed for a photo with her.

  …and Gemma Cruz-Araneta.

Soon, the other guests followed, requesting Susan for the same photo op, and Lola Flora gladly obliged. The occasion was the eight-zero birthday dinner hosted by STAR Sunday columnist (Remember When?) Danny Dolor at the grand ballroom of Grand Hyatt at BGC (Bonifacio Global City) on Wednesday, Sept. 26. In keeping with the celebrator’s years, around 95 percent of the well-wishers were young-once, most of whom were seeing Susan in person for the first time, gushing as they stood or sat beside or behind her as celfone cameras went click, click click!!! Even the nuns were eager and excited to be recorded for posterity with their favorite Lola.

  Margie Moran and Susan ‘Lola Flora’ Roces

“It’s Lola Flora fans’ night,” we kidded Danny who didn’t mind sharing his moment with his good friend from way back. (Trivia: Led by Coco Martin, who topbills and sometimes directs the adventure series, Ang Probinsyano has just concluded a month-long third-anniversary celebration.)

  Danny with Margie and Diana Jean

True to form, Danny planned the event to the minutest detail, starting with the guest list that included celebs from business and high society who, well, “have seen, done that,” and have enjoyed better and happier times, now blissfully in retirement.

  Criselda Lontok, Susan and Marichu ‘Manay Ichu’ Maceda

The party was heralded by a Thanksgiving Mass at 3:30, followed by an hour-long concert that set the tone and the mood of the evening. Featuring the husband-wife tandem of Byeong-In Park and Maria Rachelle Gerodias, and Liza Cabahug and Lemuel dela Cruz, the first part was Harana sa Dapit Hapon (No. 11 of the afternoon concert series hosted by Danny usually at the CCP lobby), consisting of well-loved himig natin such as Madaling Araw, Bituing Marikit, Pakiusap, Minamahal, Ang Tangi Kong Pagibig, Kapalaran, Dalagang Pilipina, Pobreng Alindahaw, Mayang Malungkot, Ang Maya, Ay Kalisud, Sa Iyo Kailan Pa Man, Anak Dalita, Sa Libis Ng Nayon, Sa Kabukiran and Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal.

  Boots Anson-Roa-Rodrigo, Sen. Grace Poe and Susan

Also featuring Byeong-In and Rachelle, and Ivan Neri and Krissan Manikan-Tan, the second part was September Serenade consisting of the Broadway and classical songs Toreador Song, Nessun Dorma, O Sole Mio, The Prayer, You Raised Me Up, Think of Me, All I Ask of You, Climb Every Mountain and Tonight.

  Susan and former Chief Justice Art Panganiban

Cheers to the singers and to the Manila Symphony Chamber Orchestra, with conductor Jeffrey Solares, for turning it into an enchanted evening of music that must have lulled the “seniors promers” into the good old days when love was young and sweet and seemingly everlasting...and forever!

  Grace with Tony Tuviera and wife Madz

A well-applauded “bonus” was the participation of McDonald’s Philippines boss George Yang on O Sole Mio (duet with Rachelle with whom he also sang two songs during the 80th birthday party of Regal Matriarch Lily Monteverde at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom last Aug. 19) and then with Rachelle and Byeong-In on Nessun Dorma. Applause!

  George Yang and Maria Rachelle Gerodias

Before the sumptuous dinner was served, the Grand Hyatt chefs and waiters/waitresses presented a production number as a divider slowly rose, displaying a wide array of buffet (four sets so there was no need to fall in line) in front of the kitchen. Applause!!

  Susan with Probinsyano co-stars (from left) Lito Lapid, Coco Martin, Yassi Pressman and Eddie Garcia during a guest appearance on ASAP last Sunday

Thank you, Danny, for the memorable evening, (as stated in the invitation) “a celebration of Love, Life and Music.” Applause!!!

May you have many more birthday haranas to come.

  Danny with the barkada (from left): Anes Victorino, Malou Choa-Fagar, Dolor Guevarra, Pat-P Daza, Shirley Kuan, Veanna Fores, JP Victorino, June Torrejon-Rufino and Lawrence Tan

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)