Ali & Celia's special day

Ali Sotto’s birthday was last May 29 yet, except that she couldn’t throw a party because the night before that, Sen. Bong Revilla and Rep. Lani Mercado had their silver wedding rites. They basically share the same crowd and Ali knew that their friends would have little energy left to party with her on her actual birthday.

And so she moved the party to June 18, a Saturday, at her house at Loyola Grand Villas and made arrangements for food and music, which are the basic components of most of her celebrations.

After marking June 18 on my calendar, what do I get but a call from Celia Rodriguez? Her birthday was on June 17, but she decided to also celebrate her special day last Saturday.

It was Lily Monteverde who was hosting the dinner for Celia and so off to Century Imperial Suites I went. The buffet spread was impressive. Although there wasn’t much variety, it spelled quality. Very Celia Rodriguez, who always opts for less, but sticks it out with the best.

I was all set to mow my way from soup to dessert when I remembered Ali’s specific instructions: “Go to Manay Celia’s party first, but don’t eat much there because it’s Joy de Leon, who is preparing my food.” Showbiz old-timers should remember Joy de Leon, who used to be with Blackgold records until she migrated to the US. She currently holds two residences at the moment — in Calabasas (California) and in Manila. Here in the Philippines, she runs a catering business and her food is divine.  

Omar with Ali’s guests Tirso Cruz III, Christopher de Leon and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

Since I obey everything Ali tells me, I only had a few pieces of the fish fillet on my plate and savored the dish along with great conversations with Joel Lamangan, Pilita Corrales and Jacquilou Blanco who asked me to join them at their table.

With Pilita’s crisp punch lines we all had a blast recalling events from the past (sorry, the topic was a bit sensitive and delicate for public consumption). Later, I moved to the table of Rams David, who manages Celia’s career, occasionally getting up to greet late arrivals: Gov. Chavit Singson, Daisy Romualdez and German Moreno.

When I was already getting comfortable with the company (the gathering was small, but intimate, which I prefer), I saw Malou Fagar, Allan Diones and Anna Pingol get up from their table. They, too, were segueing to Ali’s party and I chose to ride with them to spare me from the long drive.

Celia knew the arrangements: Some of her guests, including Tirso and Lynn Cruz, were moving to Ali’s party after hers and she understood that we had to leave early.

At Ali’s party, the mood was the opposite: There was blaring music, mostly guests singing their hearts out. There were five times more revelers, most of whom sought shelter under that canopy Tina Pecson set up put to protect people from the rain, courtesy of Typhoon Egay.

At half past four in the morning, we were still at it. At one point, I remembered Lolit Solis, who was already in dreamland in her Fairview house.

Lolit was actually invited to both parties. But you have to forgive the old woman (she likes being referred to as the grandma of only grandchild Kinsey McDonald). The former party girl of the ‘70s and ‘80s now has to be in bed before 8 p.m.

Although I could sense that she wanted to be with Celia on that special day, her body clock just won’t allow it since the call time at Imperial Suites was at 7:30 p.m.

Right: Celia with Pilita Corrales and direk Joel Lamangan.

She was able to make it to Ali’s place though — at 5:30 p.m., when the celebrator had not even taken a bath yet.

Of course, Ali was touched by the gesture. I’m also sure Celia understood why she couldn’t make it to her party. The two women actually love Lolit dearly.

And I only recently discovered that Celia and Ali have always had this fondness for each other. Maybe because they had a kid each who went ahead of them. Celia recalls how she once bumped into Ali and they hugged each other tightly without uttering a word. They knew what was in each other’s heart.

They both realize that life is short. And so at every chance they are able to gather loved ones and friends, they choose to make merry — in celebration of life.