Annabelle Rama beams with pride at 55!
The venue is dressed simply. Four life-sized tarpaulins adorn the wall. Roses serve as centerpiece to each table. Lights are dim; ‘70s music plays in the background. But the occassion that night, October 28, is no ordinary at all. Aside from the fact that it is the day prior to barangay elections, it is also the birthday of Annabelle Rama.
At 8:30 p.m., the entire Thai at Silk restaurant in Piazza, Serendra, The Fort suddenly lights up. Even early birds Douglas Quijano and his ward Wendell Ramos, Eat Bulaga lady chief Malou Choa-Fagar, YES! magazine’s Anna Pingol, and Melissa Mendez stop in their tracks to focus their attention on the woman who’s approaching the entrance. And she’s none other than the birthday celebrator, who looks definitely younger than 55. Annabelle’s black dress, silver Chanel bag, and diamonds have literally brought more elegance and sparkle to the room.
After acknowledging the presence of her guests, she issues last-minute instructions to her staff and the waiters.
“‘Day, bigyan na ng wine ang table na ito.” “Maglagay ng table dito.” “Yung lechon, hiwain na.” “Dapat may magbantay sa entrance.”
When she reaches our table, she shares it was Ruffa who chose the venue. “Masarap kasi ang pagkain.” The bubbly birthday lady talks nonstop—from her simple wish to Chanel bags and shoes to lechon.
“Hay, tuwang-tuwa ako at natupad na ang pangarap ko na kantahan niya ako,” she exclaims. (Her husband sang Marc Anthony’s I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You on television that afternoon.)
“Itong bag ko? Chanel. Bigay lang sa akin iyan. Meron akong kaibigan na mga-asawa sa States, binigyan nila ako ng limang sapatos at limang bags. Lahat Chanel. Pero hindi naman ako showbiz kaya yung apat na sapatos, binigay ko kay Ruffa ang apat. Sa akin iyong isa. Yung bags at mga damit niya sa TV, galing lahat iyon sa akin. Binigay ko na lang sa kanya.”
Then she continues, “Yung lechon, sampu, pero walo lang nandito. Pinadala ko sa taping yung dalawa. Galing sa Cebu.”
THE GUESTS. The invitation says “7:30 p.m.” but guests start arriving at 9:00 p.m—GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar and husband Lito, Richard Gomez with wife Lucy and her brother Matt, and GMA-7 top executives Wilma Galvante, Marivin Arayata, Lilybeth Rasonable, Darling de Jesus, Redgie Magno, and talent manager Shirley Kuan.
The hosts in the Gutierrez family, Raymond and Ruffa, head straight to Serendra right after Showbiz Central and The Buzz. Richard arrives a bit late; Annabelle says he had to finish his pictorial for Kamandag. Tonton Gutierrez, wife Glydel Mercado, and Ramon Christopher also make time for the special day of their stepmother.
Bystanders have a blast watching the celebrities come in and out of the intimate party. Ruffa’s friends Gretchen Barretto, Nadia Montenegro, Almira Muhlach, Ana Roces, Joyce Jimenez, Assunta da Rossi bring in glam and fun. Raymond’s showbiz buddies Bianca King, Ehra Madrigal. JC de Vera, Alfred Vargas are also there.
Also part of the guest list are German Moreno, Philip Salvador, singing couple Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Sunshine Cruz, John Lapus, and Snooky Serna. Solar Sports bigwig Wilson Tieng and Drs. Manny and Pie Calayan also grace the occasion.
THE FOOD AND DRINKS. Aside from the crispy lechon, the long buffet table serves pomelo salad, broccoli leaves and mushroom, fish fillet, beef curry, Thai barbeque chicken, tapioca, and kakanin topped with ripe mango. The people in our table agree with Ruffa, “The food is yummy.”
Due to the scheduled election the next day, October 29, liquor ban is enforced. But in Tita Annabelle’s, as most people in showbiz call her, party—there’s a downpour of beer and red wine.
THE BIRTHDAY WISHES. Close to midnight, Ruffa asks the Asia’s Songbird to sing happy birthday. Regine gladly obliges.
The mom, obviously brimming with happiness, blows the lone candle on her cake and acknowledges MET Whitening soap, a whitening product Ruffa endorses, for sending the cake.
Eddie Gutierrez, the head of the family, says his brief message: “Lahat ng wish mo came true. Nung bata ka, gusto mong maging beauty queen, gusto mong maging actress. I’m so happy na natutupad na ang mga wishes mo.”
All the Gutierrez siblings Tonton, Ruffa, Elvis, Rocky, Richard and Raymond, Ritchie Paul have unanimous wish: “Thank you. More time for yourself. We love you. Good health.” Further, Raymond makes a special announcement, “‘Ma, bati na kami ni Richard.” The twins, says a source, have not been on speaking terms due to a mild tiff that happened in SOP.
The “adopted” of the Gutierrezs also take the microphone from Ruffa and Rufa Mae to greet the celebrator.
Gretchen: “What am I supposed to say? I’m adopted by this family ever since I was 12 or 14. Ako lang pala ang nag-‘80s outfit kasi sabi ni Ruffa. Niloko na naman ako ni Ruffa.”
Rufa Mae: “Stay beautiful. Good health. Yung mga alahas, alagaan.”
Snooky, whom Ruffa introduces as “the long-lost daughter” of the Gutierrezs: “Tita Annabelle, mahal na mahal kita.”
Check out the gallery for the messages of more celebrities.
When asked to deliver a speech, the well-admired mother says, “Maraming salamat sa inyo.” Then adds in jest, “Yung mga hindi dumating, kaaway. Thank you at dumating kayo.”
In the different corners of the venue are huge portraits of Annabelle Rama—there’s Annabelle the mom, the wife, the manager, the friend. And may we add, “the gracious hostess.” Everyone in the party sure feels glad to be invited to her birthday.
Source: PEP
Kapag lechon na ang pag uusapan laging nangunguna ang lechon sa cebu. Masarap kasi ang lechon sa cebu at napaka crunchy pa ng balat.. Everytime i visited cebu hindi mawawala ng lechon sa kainan. Minsan lang kasi me makapunta sa cebu. I dont like the taste of lechon here in Manila. Hindi ko maintindihan ang lasa.. I love lechon cebu. So yummmmy… Try lechoncebu.com
Lechon cebu tastes really good. You no longer need sauce to experience the good taste. The meat and the crunchy lechon skin are enough. And to add up, the people there were so cool and hospitable.
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