Al Quinn's big night

There was no lavish bash for the 75th birthday of veteran TV and stage director, Al Quinn. The fact that his closest friends in show business remembered him on his big night was enough for him.

The intimate party was given by Richard Merk and wife Roni Tapia at their popular restaurant and music lounge, Merk’s Bar and Bistro. Al stood as one of the principal sponsors in the couple’s 1999 wedding. In honor of him, they also named a dish on their menu: Al Quinn’s pig knuckles.

On his birthday party, Al was joined by wife Beth Pastrano, son Dino and other family members. Early birds among his close friends in the industry were writer Cesar Cosme, TV director Ding Bolaños, Boboy Garrovillo of Apo Hiking Society with wife Bong, TV producer Tessie Celestino and husband Jun Howard of Airtime Marketing.

Also in the party were Tessie Tomas who came with hubby Roger Pullin, dancer-choreographer Lito Calzado, better known as Iza Calzado’s dad and Elbow Room owner Wiliam Uy.

Al, whose stage name came from the late Pancho Magalona, is Alcuin Pastrano in real life. Al’s illustrious career dates back to the late ‘60s, when he started as dancer and choreographer at Manila Opera House. Would you believe he even took up ballet and once played Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake?

He later ventured into TV directing and became the director of choice for the memorable shows of Pilita Corrales, Carmen Soriano, Nora Aunor, Alma Moreno and German Moreno. He also helmed most of Dolphy’s TV specials.

Al and Richard got close when the latter was tapped to pinch-hit in Banana Sunday, gag show of the Bad Bananas quartet (Christopher de Leon, Johnny Delgado, Edgar Mortiz and the late Jay Ilagan), who was then filming a movie in the US. Richard’s stint with Subas Herrero, Noel Trinidad and Ray-An Fuentes became a top-rater, so they were asked to become regulars in the show for several months.

Richard also became a regular face in most of Al’s TV specials through the years. The jazz singer is the godfather of Al’s son, Dino, now 22, while Al is ninong of Richard and Roni’s only child, Manna.