When the book was launched a new moon ago, well-liked business taipan Ben Chan, the book’s mega publisher, and authors Gilda Cordero-Fernando and Manuel Chaves went all out to come up with one of the most fun and entertaining events in moi recent memory.
Cooked up by Gilda C.F. herself in collaboration with Ben C. Manuel C. and director Floy Quintos, the event’s concept was in the tradition of Gilda C.F.’s previous theatrical extravaganzas.
The NBC Tent, palanggas, was transformed into a colorful barrio fiesta milieu complete with banderitas. The invitees were ushered in by gals in shirts and skirts made from Bench Bites Wrappers. Inside, the pass-around food – bagoong chicken wings, buttered tastee triangles with Reno liver spread, mini-egg pandesal with ketsup drizzle; Fita rounds with bangus sardines – were downed with the cool yet deadly dalandan-lambanog drink and the welcome beverage, Bencab’s kamias shake. All the treats were whipped up Margarita Fores, no less, palanggas.
Radioactive Sago Project’s Lourd De Veyra rapped in his own unique way with Anna Fegi. There was a much-applauded anti-fashion fashion show participated in by Kidlat Tahimik who wore a bahag; chef Gene Gonzales; Boy Abunda; Jessica Zafra; Clinton Palanca; Satur Ocampo; Teddy Boy Locsin; Joey Smith; and a "bride" who was our very own wizard of fashion, Ernest Santiago.
Sylvia La Torre’s Waray, Waray (rendered ala-Eartha Kitt and in Sylvia’s own distinct version), brought the tent down. Ate Gay, impersonating who else but Ate Nora Aunor, introduced Pinoy komiks’ dynamic duo, Darna and Valentina. The number performed by the Powerdance showed Darna and Valentina in their usual catfight reinterpreted with Douglas Nierras’ magnificent choreography.
You should have watched Aegis, palanggas. Wearing white ensembles by Steve de Leon, they belted out their jukebox hits Basang-basa sa Ulan and Luha which stunned and impressed the crowd. Where did those voices come from? And all that pain!
Finally, the masterminds behind the book and its launch – Gilda C.F., Manuel C. and Ben C. – emerged from the curtains escorted by papier maché higantes. Above them, Darna flew reading a copy of the cause de celebre, Pinoy Pop Culture.
The book is a fun, kooky, and witty celebration of the colorful, eclectic mix of what is ingeniously, often comically, but always proudly Pinoy.
Composed of short and sweet, meaty and juicy stories written in "whatever is convenient" – English, Taglish, Carabao-English or even bakla-speak, Pinoy Pop Culture covers a sari-sari store variety of subjects that represents the popular masa taste.
Inside the full-color and illustrated over-a-hundred page book are Pinoy icons such as komiks legend Kenkoy; eternal diva Sylvia La Torre; superstar Nora Aunor; quintessential Tsinoy, Ma Mon Luk; spiritual leader, Bro. Mike Velarde; and even the borloloys in jeepneys; matamis na spaghetti, green-clad Santo Niños (to attract dollars); and the pabasa being sung to the tune of My Heart Will Go On during Holy Week 2001.
"It is really a book on the Filipino", says Gilda C. F. "It is not a scholarly work, just a light-hearted study that will hopefully clarify what’s Pinoy."
Having a great time, palanggas, were Catherine "Kitkat" Zobel; brilliant Southern lady Virgie Ramos; articulate Louie Locsin; APO’s Jim Paredes and Boboy Garovilla; Ed de la Torre; eyecatching models Tweety de Leon, Alta Tan and Amanda Griffin; moviestars John Estrada, Diether Ocampo, our palangga Joyce Jimenez and Jomari Yllana; cousins Aleth Mapa and Reimon Gutierrez; Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi; Royal couturier Inno Sotto; "The Voice" Richard Tann; handsome hunk Paolo Araneta; attractive Lexi Schulze with Javi Berenger-Testa; plus so many others like them who didn’t expect to have one of the funniest nights in ages, palanggas.
Scrumptious crabs, steamed lapu-lapu in tausi sauce, plus other excellently prepared food were served for the lunch bunch at the famous King’s Crab Restaurant, the favorite of celebrator Dr. Elenita B. The other Lady of the Hour, Meldy C. enjoyed her all-time favorite, Charlie Horn Salad, with baked assorted mushroom filo pastry and yellow pea soup with chorizo.
Other yummies included tuna steak and blue marlin, beef bourguignonne and the calorific (but who cares?) delicious mango soufflé for dessert, palanggas.
Two days later, the lunch bunch gathered anew at the constant fave resto of Cosmo Manille’s gourmand set, The Souffle at the Fort, Makati. The ladies enjoy these yearly congenial gatherings through which they can show their appreciation to their kind-hearted supporters who have always helped in all their fundraising charitable events, palanggas.
See you, dahlings.