After years of being in the limelight, Lucy Torres-Gomez remains the country’s sunshine girl. People around her can’t help but bask in the warm glow of her charm, enjoying her elegant beauty and inherent simplicity that have, over the years, remained unchanged.
When Bench owners Ben Chan and Virgilio and Nene Lim decided to celebrate another year of Lucy’s life, the event, much like Lucy, was a simple and heartwarming affair. The entire Bench family – including Kristine, Bryan and Suyen Lim – opened their home for a very intimate affair.
Given Lucy’s love for flamenco, the dinner was Spanish-themed, catered by the amazing Bernard and Nena Silverio Dee. Their paella was superb, as was the soft and fluffy canonigo they served for dessert. Even the gorgeous Lucky Star Kris Aquino, who was with her beloved James Yap, had only one thing to say about the food: delicious.
Pineapple store owner Anton Baretto added more Spanish drama with his candles from Cereo and matador hat-inspired lanterns and table cloths from his own collection. Moet Chandon flowed the entire night, leaving everyone feeling bubbly. A violinist kept guests soothed and entertained during dinner.
The official photographer for the evening, Lucy’s own knight in shining armor Richard Gomez, set aside his camera to serenade his wife. And when Lucy blew the candles on her two-layered chocolate cake, both Richard and darling daughter Juliana were by her side.
Friends and colleagues happily greeted Lucy, who looked splendid in her white-topped outfit: Businessman Berck Cheng and Summit Media mogul Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Sander and Mons Tantoco; Robert and Millet Mananquil; editor Jo-ann Maglipon of Yes! Magazine; the famous Vicki Belo and steady date Joey Santos; Bench’s hardworking architect Miguel Pastor, Jojo Liamson and Ricky Cabrera; Ayala Group’s Cristy Comia and Rowena Tomeldan, and dashing lawyer Gabby Tomeldan; Lucy’s favorite designer Randy Ortiz, in-demand fashion director Jackie Aquino and makeup mavens Juan Sarte and Chechel Jocson; superstar makers Douglas Quijano, Shirley Kwan and June Rufino; and the producer of Ako Legal Wife, the mother of all mothers, Mother Lily Monteverde.
PR guru and all-around life-of-the-party Mr. Famous Keren Pascual hosted the entire event, sending everyone into gales of laughter the entire night. Aside from the candle-blowing and Richard’s romantic serenade, the high point of the evening was the rousing game of Bingo, which the beautiful Gretchen Barretto – who was with business mogul Tonyboy Cojuangco – so earnerstly tried to win. The iPod prize, however, went to the highly creative accessory maker Ana Rocha, who had the winning card.
Lucy was ever the gracious celebrant, making it a point to chat with all her guests: her aunt and uncle Tess and Rufo Colayco; personal friends Denise and Jaivic Lim, Rhoda Salas and Marilen Nunez; associate editor Anna Pingol of Yes! Magazine and Neil de Guia; Mayor Georic Gacula of Taytay; Perry Dean, Jay Wambangco; Bernard Cloma and Ray Lanyada; Ben Majadas and Manny Cabili; and the OCs Raymond Gutierrez, Liz Uy and Zanjoe Marudo.
The evening was full of laughter and warmth – a night to catch up with old friends and meet new ones – all brought together by the quiet beauty that is Lucy. For all the people who love her, she is the pinnacle of glowing grace, truly Lucy in the sky, with diamonds.
2. Your favorite qualities in a man. Consistency, a strong character tempered with manly sweetness
3. Your favorite qualities in a woman. Faithfulness and a forgiving heart
4. Your favorite occupation. Being a mother, wife, and daughter
5. Your chief characteristic. Always in love – with Richard, words, real stories, and life in general
6. Your idea of happiness. A happy home, a Boracay sunset, Juliana’s laughter
7. Your idea of misery. Never falling in love truly, madly, deeply (and never being loved that way in return)
8. Your favorite colour and flower. Blue/purple–phalaenopsis, roses
9. If not yourself, who would you be? An arts and crafts teacher
10. Where would you like to live? Manila, Spain, Hong Kong
11. Your favorite poets. Any person in love
12. Your favorite painters and composers. Gigi Javier, Malang, BenCab, BM de Leon
13. Your favorite heroes in real life. Ben Chan, Richard Gomez
14. Your favorite heroines in real life. My mom, Jackie Kennedy
15. Your favorite heroes in fiction. Noah in The Notebook
16. Your favorite heroines in fiction. The mother in I Love You Forever
17. Your favorite food and drink. Adobo, chicharon bulaklak, cheese, hotdog, milk tea
18. Your favorite names. Beatrice, Julio
19. Your pet aversion. Promises that are always broken
20. What characters in history do you most dislike? Murderers (of the body and spirit)
21. What is your present state of mind? More happy than sad, thankful and hopeful
22. For what fault have you the most toleration? Ignorance, blind faith when it comes to matters of the heart
23. Your favorite motto? "The best revenge is a good life" and the Golden Rule