An affair to remember

I usually forego awards nights because I’d rather stay home with my family on weekends. Besides, awards nights require a great deal of preparation like having my gown made, making myself available for at least three fittings, scheduling my make-up artist and making sure I have myself made up at least three hours before the event, finding the perfect accessories to my gown and matching them with nice, comfy shoes to last me through the night. I guess those things would have not been such a hassle if we were given the importance we deserved during awards night ceremonies. I am not sure when this started but since I’ve seen people get lambasted for their outfits, I have shunned going to awards nights. Imagine all the work we make our designers go through only to take the flak not only in countless talk shows but on print as well. I guess I also can’t blame the media because many stars come in avant garde costumes instead of glamorous gowns and tuxedos.

What about punctuality? They never start on time. The production staff usually waits for whoever comes first and try their best to come up with a good combination of stars to start the evening. Once there, we are made to wait for hours before the event actually starts. I remember one awards night I co-emceed which lasted until three in the morning! Some of the stars were literally snoring with their mouths wide open.

Because they are usually taped live, the audience becomes a spectator of what goes on while on break. Once the director says, "Cut!" people drop their guard and completely forget there’s an audience watching them. It’s just so funny seeing performers give their best while on cam, very well-composed and elegant. Then all of a sudden, they start talking loudly and then drag themselves out of the stage! What hypocrisy! Performers backstage are lucky if they receive packed food in styrofoam. There’s not much glamor backstage. People have to fend for themselves most of the time unless one is a big star. The security is so minimal that stars get squished in their gowns as soon as the curtain closes. They are rammed by excited fans anxious for their autograph. I remember once when I had just given birth to my son and was nominated (and won an award) for a movie. My manager/sister Ate Angeli (Valenciano) had to literally beg fans to please have mercy and control themselves when they rushed to get Ate Vilma Santos’ autograph and I happened to be behind her. I was pushed to the wall. There were no security guards to assist even Ate Vi!

There were just so many things that happened in previous awards ceremonies that were frustrating for the actors mainly because the focus of the night is not on highlighting the importance of the star values but on just getting the night over with, giving the award and coming up with a show that will give producers a run for their money. This went on and on until everybody accepted it as a norm – until this year’s FAP. This one is for the books. Now, the tide has changed.

Capturing the vision

The minute I got the call from Albert Martinez asking me to be a presenter for the Best Supporting Actress category, I felt excited and without batting an eyelash, committed to go. I just knew in my heart I had to be there. After all, it was not the first time I’ve heard about what was in store for the night. For the longest time, I had heard about Albert’s dream of turning all our awards nights ala Oscar Awards. That dream became a reality today because Leo Martinez, as Director General of the Film Academy of the Philippines, caught on the vision and Albert partnered with the perfect people to sponsor the event. The FAP Awards was a huge success because of those who believed in Albert’s dream and were willing to bet their money on his dream. After all, it was an expensive dream.

A beautiful feeling

The awards night brought out the best in everyone. My designer/friend, Larry Espinosa made not one, but two gowns for the night! I had the privilege of getting made up and ready in Kuh Ledesma’s house, a stone’s throw away from CCP. While there, I felt so special. Kuh made me feel comfortable and was very generous in giving me tips on how to enhance my gown, properly carry myself and what make-up style Jerome (Chang) should apply to fit my gown. All that, while she was getting ready herself, because she was to sing at the opening number.

Gina V. Martinez, my manager (Leo’s first lady) saw to it that we made it on time at the Westin Philippine Plaza where we were supposed to assemble before the Walk of the Stars. As soon as I stepped in the Romblon Ballroom, Albert welcomed me and I congratulated him. Considering all the preparations needed for the night, he and partner Kevin Limjoco seemed calm and relaxed. They made sure everyone was taken care of with the help of Albert’s good friend and manager Shirley Kuan. I chanced upon Luz Valdez, stunning in her Filipiniana gown. She told me she felt great being there because finally, the event was given the importance it deserved. She shared that everyone was excited to get really dressed up for the affair. The organizers reminded my road manager Rowena that Bvlgari was available for those who would like to wear them. I was the first to take advantage of a very special privilege. It was a delight seeing Mario Katigbak himself choose the jewelry that would best fit my gown. Throughout the night, he assigned one lady to be my escort and provide security for the jewelry.

Off to the FAP

I was assigned Jaguar No. 12. I felt so comfortable and it felt like riding an airplane. I enjoyed the moment while it lasted and asked the handsome chauffeur, Adi, to drive very, very slowly. Ah, what a feeling!

The moment I stepped out of the Jaguar, another handsome man in Barong Tagalog approached me to inform me that he was to be my escort while I walked on the red carpet. It was such a relief because I had never done that "walk" before and my husband Anthony was not there to escort me because he left for Budapest.

We had several stops, each to grant the different shows covering the event an exclusive interview and a chance to parade our gown to photographers and fans. It was a very organized Walk of the Stars. Even that one photo-op for Stores Specialist, the sponsor, was well set-up with a beautiful backdrop that I gamely posed for it. After all, they carried all the brands I use myself. Everybody, including the photographers and crew were dressed properly in suits or formal slacks. Josie Manago said they were advised to "dress up" for it and for that I was glad.

The show proper

It was standing room only at the CCP Main Auditorium with guests dressed to the hilt. The show started a bit later than scheduled but was very organized except for minor hitches. Pops Fernandez and Ogie Alcasid did a terrific job in emceeing the affair. They even talked to the audience and made us all laugh during the five minute-gap breaks. Gerard Salonga with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra was a sight to behold. He conducted the orchestra with so much zest and passion that they responded with the same energy. During breaks, everybody maintained their composure. Some were surprised at how quiet it was during breaks. It was a glamorous night through and through. Production numbers were simple but well-choreographed. I was so touched with the Magnifico number I almost cried. Everybody gave their best, even the presenters. The production didn’t use podiums that usually hide the artists but a standing mike so they could stand in all their glory. The winners all gave wonderfully short speeches. They acknowledged the joyful feeling of getting citation their peers chose in such a momentous gathering of stars. All the performers and presenters waived their talent fees in favor of generous goodie bags.

Off to the ball

The Director General’s Ball was a Philippine Tatler sponsored event. Only those who carried their invitations were allowed to enter. Each of us was assigned a table. I sat with my mom’s best friends‚ Marissa Delgado and Liza Lorena. We shared the table with Christopher de Leon. It took quite a while before our dinner was served because there was a small production number in presenting the food to us. We enjoyed the sumptuous five-course meal with wine. We couldn’t help but notice that the chef even went into the detail of carving the FAP logo in each food creation. What excellent work! We couldn’t stop reminiscing the good old glamorous days of showbiz and how thankful we were that finally, it seems like the future is bright for the movie industry. Even Tito Eddie (Garcia) was at an all-time high, raving about how good it felt that night. As a kid, I witnessed how my mom and her friends, Tita Liza and Tita Marissa would give so much fuss to attending awards nights. They had great memories from those events. I’ve seen how the movie industry has evolved in its highs and lows and I think we’re about to see greater things to come. Cheers! Thank you, Albert and Liezl, Kevin L., Leo and the FAP staff, the volunteers, and the whole production and sponsors behind the successful FAP Awards Night. Because of you, we can continue to dream big for our industry. Thank you also for all the pampering! Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!

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