A night with the kontrabida moms

Manila, Philippines - Manila Hotel hosted a special dinner at the Champagne Room for Maritoni Fernandez and Gladys Reyes, local showbiz’s kontrabida. Celebrating their careers in the industry and as mothers, the hotel rolled the red carpet for them.

Manila Hotel salutes the talented women who tackle the demands of motherhood and their busy work schedule. The Champagne Room, with its timeless beauty and grace, proved to be the perfect setting for the special dinner with Maritoni and Gladys.

It was a dramatic evening at The Champagne Room. Guests were greeted by the calming sound of the water from the marble basins that hugged the foyer walls. The crystal palm trees, with their glass leaves and chrome work, gave off an air of sophistication and class. The well-lit glass chandeliers cast a dazzling glow to the beaming kontrabida mothers while the wall mirrors which were placed around the restaurant enhanced its beauty. The evening began with an exquisite degustation menu carefully prepared by Executive Sous Chef Christine Zarandin and guests were serenaded with piano music.

Like their character roles in the big screen, Maritoni and Gladys exuded beauty and elegance. A hands-on mother to her kids, Maritoni makes sure she spends more time with them. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and after a series of treatment, survived the “Big C.” She is an active spokesperson for breast cancer awareness in the Philippines and a member of I Can Serve Foundation.

Known as primera kontabida, Gladys took a break from the limelight when she got married and started a family. She also gets to share her own experience and tips about motherhood on Net 25’s MoMents.

Amidst the changing times, Maritoni and Gladys have endured the challenges of motherhood and of their profession. Although they portray a vicious persona on the big screen, the scenes captured in reel are different from those in real life, often times, it’s the exact opposite.

“Manila Hotel recognizes the women that help us become who we are today, our mothers. The Champagne Room is a magnificent place where you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time as you celebrate her unconditional love,” says Nian Liwanag-Rigor, Manila Hotel AVP for PR and corporate communications.