The book that launched a thousand martinis

When a book is clearly written under the influence of champagne and the cocktail of the moment, its launch swims in the same sea of spirits from which it was conceived. I’m not your typical author. I don’t carry a Ph.D. in my sequined clutch, so you can only surmise that my book launch (held not too long ago) is anything but typical.

My book Coffee to Cocktails made its debut in, of course, scandale mode. Thanks to the efforts of my publisher Virgie Ramos, Anvil’s Karina Bolasco, The STAR Lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil, book editor Tara Sering, and with the help of my friend and sub-editor Tanya Lara and Marge Melendez for putting the piece de resistance with her Labanda-like illustrations — it was mission accomplished for the responsible front.

Now let’s talk about the party. The venue was naturally the 24/7 party helm of Louie Y’s V bar, which I must say is a venue of much of the poignant activities cited in my book. Panic stirred when I was informed that the Alizes were stuck on some lane on EDSA. It’s J. Lo’s drink after all, it had to be there for a C. Lo party, too! As I gnawed my rose-painted nails to the quick with worry — I realized that there was something worse than being booze-less — it was being people-less. I felt like I was back in high school having my first nervous breakdown as I ate all the cake by myself for the absence of any company. In this re-run, I was comforted by the fact that instead of cake I’d be guzzling down cosmopolitans and martinis instead.

Much to my relief, my conductor for the scandale bus Joel Tantoco came in early to give some aural relief as he proceeded to serenade the highly flammable crowd to come, with his choice of tracks. Like a lucky charm, his arrival led to arrivals of many, along with the J. Lo poison brought in by Premier Wines and Spirits. Many subjects or rather characters graced the occasion. From incredibly supportive ex-boyfriends to, of course, the always fight crew that have inspired me to covet things that are just a credit card swipe away, and who are the main characters of the book. My beau Victor was there to make sure that things went smoothly — Xanax-free. Parents treated my book launch like an after- party, as they arrived amongst the latest! My 70-year-old pop was suddenly on top of things as he surprisingly charmed guests, making sure they noticed that he was hip in his J. Lindebergs.

As my friend Tim Yap says, "The crowd was as bold as the stripes at V, as the partygoers ranged from the likes of Cynthia Villar to Stephanie Zubiri and back!" It was a first for Tim since he actually arrived among the first six along with Patrick Reyno, Pepper Teehankee, Trish Cu-Unjieng, Joji Dingcong and Cherrie del Rosario. "You better remember this — even I was late for my own (to be specific) birthday party!" And that actually was as much as I remembered.

Each person who trickled in compelled me to throw myself at them unnecessarily and kiss them like a hungry Labrador. Maurice came in with his forever fight partner-in-crime Vicky Zubiri. Also there was Philip Cu-Unjieng with whom we caught in a cheerful and bubbly mood. There were my mom’s legislative posse Cynthia Villar, Yayaing Dragon, Daisy Payumo, Girly Villarosa and Lou Antonino. The arbiters of good taste all came in to swish some cocktails like Jojie Lloren, Patrick Rosas, Lulu Tan Gan, Ricky Toledo, Chito Vijandre, Markus Schmidt, Richard Danao, Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Conrad Onglao with the gorge Susan Reyes.

Of course there is no war without the elite forces present, from model troops Amanda Griffin, Nafsika Droussou, Rissa Samson and Robby Mananquil, to our local Nigellas Geni P, AM Moreno, Joey Carpo and DJ Montano, to fashion sergeants Ines Delgado, Ricco Ocampo, Juan Miguel Ongsiako, Leica Carpo, Tina Tinio, Mandy Santos, Kat and Hindy Tantoco, to the music generals Manolet Dario, Jed Dario and Anton Ramos, to the camp ground aesthetic inspector Miguel Rosales. Plus there was even a Power Boy there!

I was especially beside myself with my mini-reunion with colleagues from my Teen Philippines days all of whom are now involved with different glossies: Jessica Cabuay (Mega), Bebeth Timbol (Pink), Minelli Bautista (Meg), and Richard Perez (Metro/Pink). My favorite Metro duo Carlo Tadiar and Frieda D. added flavor to the night and lone Preview rep Agoo Bengzon again saw me characteristically intoxicated. Highlights included surprise arrival of my best friend Chut Cuerva from Spain and Victor flexing his muscles with his paparazzi skills.

As Frieda Dario would always say in any alcohol-friendly event, "It’s a smashing success because I’m smashed!" After all, any book launch expected to start after dinner is already a bat signal for trouble. But for me, all I can say is, it just gave something more to write about.