For love of Mother Lily

Only Regal Matriarch Lily Yu Monteverde could gather such a diverse crowd composed of celebrities from politics, business and, of course, showbiz. The occasion was her 80th birthday celebrated en grande at the grand ballroom of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on Aug. 19.

Ai-Ai delas Alas and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos

The invitation came from Mother Lily’s husband Leonardo Monteverde, their children and in-laws (Renald Winston, Stephen & Marie Sherida, Marie Roselle, Ronald Stephen & Grace, and Richard Goldwin), and their grandchildren (Keith Ryan & Winni, Theodore Gallagher, Bridget Lauren, Matthew Grant, Redwin Griffith, Jewel Marie and Kristen Gabrielle).

Let’s do a roll call.

Rep. Vilma Santos and former First Lady/Rep. Imelda Marcos

• From politics: Former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Noynoy Aquino; former House Speaker Sonny Belmonte; former First Lady/Rep. Imelda Marcos; Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Grace Poe (with husband Neil Llamanzares), Jinggoy Estrada, Sonny Angara, Loren Legarda and Kiko Pangilinan (with wife Sharon Cuneta); Rep. Vilma Santos; Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos; former Sen. Nikki Coseteng; Q.C. Councilor Hero Bautista (with sister Harlene); Special Assistant to the President Sec. Bong Go and others.

• From Business: McDo Philippines president George Yang, (also STAR columnist) Bobit Avila, (also STAR columnist) Danny Dolor, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, George Siy and others.

Former Pres. Joseph Estrada and Sharon Cuneta

• From Showbiz: Susan Roces; Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda (with sisters Lilibeth Nakpil and former Congresswoman Gina de Venecia); Arnold Vegafria (with his young wards); TV executives Tony Tuviera (with wife Madz), Lilybeth Rasonable, Bobby Barreiro, Wilma Galvante, Linggit Tan and Charo Santos with sister Malou Santos; Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama (with daughter Ruffa); directors Carlitos Siguion-Reyna (with wife ToFarm director Bibeth Orteza), Joey Javier Reyes, Chito Roño, Joey Romero, Elwood Perez, Mac Alejandre, Ruel Bayani and Jeffrey Jeturian; Baby Go; Korina Sanchez; Vice Ganda; Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes; Winwyn Marquez and Mark Herras; Ai-Ai delas Alas and husband Gerard Sibayan; Angel Locsin and Neil Arce; Aljur Abrenica and Kylie Padilla; Jak Roberto and Barbie Forteza; Kisses Delavin and Donny Pangilinan (chaperoned by parents Carrie and Gilbert Delavin, and Maricel Laxa respectively); Lovi Poe; Janine Gutierrez; Ricky Davao; Maricel Soriano; Celia Rodriguez; Alma Concepcion; Ricky Lee; Wilson Tieng; Mocha Uson; Vhong Navarro; Liz Alindogan; and many others.

Mother Lily with Susan Roces

In a white Patty Ang gown, the Birthday Lady entered the venue in style, dancing on the red carpet to the beat of Mamma Mia!, trailed by a group of lively dancers that included her daughters Roselle and Meme (Sherida). Onstage, Mother Lily executed a dance number (reminiscent of Ate Vi during her TV-hosting days) that ended with Mother Lily being lifted by two male dancers, waving her arms as a debutante would. She disappeared and came back in a Paul Cabral and proceeded to the piano.

Arnold Vegafria’s talents (from left) David Licauco, Teejay Marquez, Kiko Estrada, Cathy Valencia, Enzo Pineda and Martin del Rosario

Other performers included George Yang (who first did a duet with Rachelle Gerodias before singing solo), Jenine Desiderio (songs from Miss Saigon in which she had played Kim) and Gary Valenciano who was oh-so-healthy that you wouldn’t think only a few weeks earlier he had undergone not just one (heart bypass) but two surgeries (the second on his kidney).

Mother Lily sat onstage, holding back tears as she held hands with Gary as he sang Sana Maulit Muli.

Mother Lily (center) with (from left) Arnold Vegafria, Charo Santos-Concio, Malou Santos and Vilma Santos

“I am rich,” Mother Lily said in her speech. “I am rich with friends and people who love me.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)

With Korina Sanchez