Ricky Reyes stages musical for beloved ma

The life story of hair specialist Ricky Reyes never ceases to amaze me. And one thing that really amazes me is his unsurpassed love for his mother. Last Wednesday, he led his brothers and sisters in mounting a spectacular presentation for his mom, Amada Tiantes Enriquez Zabarte on the occasion of her 90th birthday. This was “Ada, the Musical,” which provided very satisfying entertainment for hundreds of guests at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s pavilions.

The honoree, frail, and decked in jewels and a dazzling red gown, sat in a wheelchair, watching the reenactment of her life by professional artists. She looked expressionless, so one can only surmise how she appreciated her children’s tribute.

Ada grew up as Amada Enriquez in Nasugbu, Batangas — a beauty chased by the town’s swains, one of whom was the good-looking Antonio Zabarte Sr., whom she married and gave three children, Antonio, Wilfredo and Jaime. Alas, when the 2nd World War broke out, Antonio was taken away by the Japanese, and was never seen again.

Left to fend for herself, Ada went into the buy-and-sell business. She never lost her love for life, and still became the belle at dances, at one of which she met and fell in love again — with Ricardo Reyes Sr. They begot seven children — Ricardo Jr. (who we know as Ricky Reyes), Vivian, Rey, Angelita, Connie, and Celestino. Alas, Ricardo Sr. was a gigolo, and Ada decided to leave him and get on with her life, supporting her kids by selling all sorts of stuff, from jewelry to clothes, to shoes, food, and houseware, and eventually setting up a small salon where she would fix up most brides in town.

It was from their mother that the Reyes children got their entrepreneurial skills, and her tenacity to survive. Ricky now has 46 hair salons, three Ricky Reyes Learning Institute branches, and one resort (Golden Sunset in Calatagan, Batangas), while his brother Les founded the Reyes Hairdressers salons. Claro and Vivian run their own salon businesses.

The show’s executive producer, Darling de Jesus of Channel 7, put together young and sensuous talents. The musical was a kaleidoscope of songs and dances from the 40s, when Ada was young and beauteous (as played by Ayen Munji Laurel, a great singer, who looked like Ada). Boogie, Charlestone, tango, cha-cha — these were performed with ease by Ayen and the Tarnsichore Dancers. Jan Nieto played the role of Antonio, and Gan Magdangal did Carding. Paolo Ballesteros did the role of Paolo Ballesteros. Singers were La Diva Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos, Maricris Garcia, the UP Concert Chorus, and Gerard Santos. A very effective narrator was Doray, played by Frances Makil, Floy Quinto directed, Jellene Eugenio choreographed, Danny Tan was musical director, and Eric Pineda designed the costumes.

Hobnobbing with guests was Ricky, in white costume and breathtaking jewelry (real, not fancy, mind you). He said at the beginning and end of the production that he and his siblings did not mind spending millions for their mother. She is worth it, he uttered again and again.

In the letter sent along with his invitation, Ricky quoted from the letter he had written his mother when she turned 80. “Ma, it took me all my life to learn what a mother is. I guess it’s impossible to know until you become a parent yourself. Believe me, now I know what a rough life you led, and how terrific you are. When I am in the deepest valley of my life, I look up and admire the magnificence of the mountain, which you are to me.”

Ricky said, “No book may ever be written about you and that’s true, kulang ang libro para sa ’yo, and now we would like to dedicate a beautiful musical play for you . . . Ma, to us your children, you really are the greatest.”

Mothers in the audience sighed. Will their kids give them an unforgettable bash when they turn 90? Yes, if they have the heart of Ricky Reyes.

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During the holidays, I watched women in their 60s learning to play, or re-learning to play, tennis, at the Eusebio Tennis Club in Pasig. At 60? I wouldn’t believe it, until I saw them hitting balls harder, executing powerful backhands and forehands and scampering from baseline to no-man’s land and the net like they never did before.

And these women had been playing for 20 years. The thing is trainers never taught them the proper stroke, body movement, and using their legs to run, run, run.

My friend, at 65, told me, “I never thought I’d learn to hit balls hard. I was just sending floating balls over the net. Now my opponents say I play well.”

The “pro” teaching these women to play correctly, is in his late 60s too — Freddie Guevara. He’s been teaching six-year olds the basics of the sport, to hit the ball hard. He teaches them power play right from the start — with the right stroke, body preparation (turn sidewise, swing your racket back, hit the ball at the right spot), and following up.

Fred did not have formal training in tennis; he learned by watching others play and correcting wrong strokes. No wonder the kids he handles learn the sport after 12 sessions — and what smashes and forehand drives they do. As they say at the Eusebio tennis club, any student — young or old — who has had some training from Fred end up good players. Youngsters have become varsity players. For national players, Fred says, “I just teach them the basics, and they can go to real pros for further training. For oldies, why, Fred says, they can learn to play better. For lessons, call up Fred at 0919-8683392.

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