Entertainment

Baptism of the Year

FUNFARE - The Philippine Star

June 19, 2019 | 12:00am

Among the godparents who attended Kai’s baptismal and birthday celebration were Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence Go, lawyer Anna Teresa Gozon Valdez, Sec. Mark Villar, Sec. Salvador Panelo, Lucia Tan, Rep. Antonio Calixto, Rep. Bong Suntay, Bea Alonzo, Vice Mayor Michael Lopez Rama, Maria Lourdes Villaflor, Vice Mayor Nasser Nash Abpi, Florita Santos, Antonio Floirendo Jr., Mary Catherine Binag, Carlos Gonzalez, Sheila Reyes, Rajiv Chandiramani, Vicki Chandiramani, Fernando Borja, Tina Cuevas, Mariel Padilla, Gov. Miriam Mangudadatu, Dingdong Dantes, Veronique Corpuz, James Yap, Janine Gutierrez, Julio Ledesma IV, Assunta de Rossi, Cathy Valencia, Emil Banno, Via Garcia, Roscoe Odullo, Joy Odullo, Francis Lloyd Chua, lawyer Jemina Sy, Dondon Monteverde, Roselle Monteverde, Reginald Berulla, Jazz Berulla, Rj Belmonte, Elena Coyiuto, Jon de Guzman, Sarah Soliven de Guzman, Michael Lagman, Charmaine Lagman, Arthur King and Mariquita Yeung. Also with them were Ricky Davao, Ruffa Gutierrez and former Ilocos Sur governor and now Narvacan Mayor Chavit Singson.

Photos by VER PAULINO

Unless another celebrity baptism with more pairs of godparents is held before end of the year, the baptism-cum-first birthday celebration for Kai, the second son of Richard Gutierrez and fiancée Sarah Lahbati, holds the Baptism of the Year record.

Held last Sunday (June 16) at Whitespace Manila in Makati City, the “under the ocean”- themed event drew big names from all levels of society — 52 all in all, count ‘em!...business, politics, sports and showbiz.

Birthday boy Kai with parents Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati and big brother Zion.

It was also one rare occasion that marked the appearance together of other celebrity babies. Check out who they are in the photos on this page.

The officiating priest was Bishop Joseph V. Galaroza, C.S.C., D.D., Superior General of the Congregation of San Carlos of Brazil.

Annabelle Rama with Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde and daughter Roselle.

The next big Gutierrez affair will be on Saturday, June 22, called Big Night Ever, a concert to celebrate the birthday (June 24) of Ruffa Gutierrez at Marriott Grand Ballroom A & B, produced by Ruffa’s mom Annabelle Rama’s Royale Artist Management, Inc.

The performers are Maja Salvador, Mitoy Yonting, Nanette Inventor, Ramon Christopher, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Pilita Corrales, plus Sarah Lahbati and Alisah Bonaobra. The Birthday Girl herself will co-host the event with Tim Yap and 2013 Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism Cindy Miranda. Stage director is Erick Salud. Cocktails at 5 p.m., dinner at 7:30 and show starts at 8:30.

Annabelle and Eddie Gutierrez with daughter Ruffa and children Lorin and Venice.

“There will be two surprise guests who will really make Ruffa’s night memorable,” said Annabelle. “Surprise talaga and I myself don’t know who they are.”

Beneficiaries of the concert is the Asilo, Medalla Milagrosa Orphanage in Cebu City where Annabelle stayed for a while when she was younger.

Annabelle with Lee O’Brian and Pokwang, their daughter Malia, James and Assunta.

Sponsors are Tapa King, Aiwa, Phoenix Pulse Technology, Aivee and Lola Remedios.

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