Enjoy the evening, sweetheart

"Enjoy the evening, sweetheart."

With those loving words, Miguel Belmonte, president and CEO of the Philippine STAR, and his beautiful wife Milette, unwrapped an 18th birthday party for their eldest and only daughter Maria Regina Carmela ("Reggie"). It was a debut that was a gift straight from the heart and down from the heavens.

The Isla Ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City was all aglow – with Reggie’s pristine and radiant beauty and the love and affection that glittered all around her.

The evening began with the grand entrance of the lovely debutante – in a pink and white princess-cut Rhett Eala gown that swirled as she walked – on the arm of her proud father. They were followed by her mother Milette, and brothers Mikey and little Santi.

A lively and well-paced program, emceed by Reggie’s aunt Joy Belmonte-Alimurung and uncle Gerry Francia followed a sumptuous buffet.

Reggie’s uncle, STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte delivered the invocation, beginning his touching prayer by noting that when a person turns 18, "It is coming-out time. And yet it is not yet time to be let go."

He prayed that all those who care for Reggie, a freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University, "continue to shower her with gentle support, guidance with insight, timely advice and most of all, love without condition."

His son Paolo then played Tanging Yaman on the violin.

Lush bouquets of red roses were abloom all over the ballroom, complementing the fuchsia and burgundy motiff of the gowns of the cotillon dancers and the burgundy neckties of their dashing escorts.

The highlight of the evening – with the exception, perhaps of the poignant tributes of the debutante’s parents and grandparents – was a magical dance number choreographed with heart and style by the impeccable Patricia Borromeo- Coronel. As a dazzling play of lights shone on them, the dancers – led by Reggie, her dad and Mikey – swirled and twirled in a dance number that combined Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale magic, Broadway and Hollywood’s catchy tunes, like My Favorite Things (from Sound of Music) and Matchmaker, Matchmaker (from Fiddler on the Roof). It was a sight to behold!

‘Most beautiful girl in the world’

For her first dance with her father, Reggie twirled to the tune of The Most Beautiful Girl in the World – and truly, she was.

Before the cotillon, in the traditional "18 roses" number wherein 18 people dearest to the debutante offer her a message of love, many eyes turned misty.

As she sat on a chair onstage beside a mulit-tiered cake with red and white fondant icing, Reggie – the eldest grandchild of both the Belmontes and the Francias – was showered, indeed, with roses from those nearest and dearest to her.

Her maternal grandmother Norma Francia ("Momsie") said she felt "overwhelmed" to see her little girl so grown up and recalled how thoughtful Reggie was even as a child, never forgetting to call her up on Sunday mornings to tell her where she was having brunch. Her grandfather Ding ("Loly") read her a poem that gently reminded her to be always obedient to her elders.

Betty’s pride & joy

Her paternal grandfather Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte emotionally recalled how Reggie was the "pride and joy" of her late grandmother, STAR founding chairman Betty Go-Belmonte. Reggie called Betty "See-See" instead of "grandma" because the latter would always whisper into her ear every time she would leave for work, "See you later, see you later." And in a rare display of emotion, Sonny, "Umpa" to Reggie, said, "I love you more than words can express."

Reggie’s dad Miguel managed to deliver the first few lines of his speech with a straight face... and then, muttering, "Mahirap pala ito," he choked as he recalled the "pure joy" he felt upon seeing Reggie for the first time through the glass windows of the Makati Medical Center nursery.

He ended his speech by borrowing a few lines delivered by Sir Anthony Hopkins in the movie Meet Joe Black – his favorite. Thus, to his only daughter, whose name "Regina" he personally chose, Miguel Belmonte said: "I loved you from the moment you were born, I love you now and every minute in between."

And finally, Reggie’s mother Milette took to the mike and with love brimming, said: "At this point when I know I have to give you the freedom to find your place in this world, I can only pray that God stays with you to guide you in your way. But please remember I’ll always be here for you no matter what you do. I hope that today and always, you are aware of how special you are to me and how blessed I am to have you in my life."

Reggie, herself misty eyed, responded by saying sweetly, "Having a debut is uncharacteristic of me. But tonight, I can say, there is no other way I would have wanted to spend my birthday."