Catching Bibot by surprise

Everyone was quiet at the Captain’s Bar of the Manila Mandarin although a few giggles escaped from the crowd that was gathered there. Everyone watched her through the glass door as she made her way through the lobby arguing with her cousin Ricky Avanceña who ostensibly was going to pick up his wife Pia at the Bar for a family birthday dinner to be hosted by his mother Nini Quezon Avanceña at another restaurant in the hotel. She saw many people through the glass and thought it was a wedding party. But Ricky prevailed and dragged her through the door. At that moment the lights went up, everyone shouted "surprise!" and broke into the birthday song! Weeks of planning and preparation in secret had worked. She obviously did not have an inkling of what was taking place.

This was a surprise birthday tribute to Zenaida "Bibot" Amador who celebrated her 70th birthday two days before on Feb. 7 and the operative word was "fun."

Hosted by her brother Atty. Antonio Amador and his wife Marijke, Father Reuter gave his own tribute praising her for her commitment and dedication to theater from her youth, her talent, her willingness to share that talent and the consistency of the company she founded 36 years ago – Repertory Philippines.

A sumptuous Chinese buffet was served, the wine flowed unabated and then the audience was treated to a 20-minute documentary film tribute on Bibot’s life and her contribution to theater put together by her niece Pinky Amador, assisted by another niece, Raquel Amador and cousin-in-law Pia Avanceña, written by Luna Inocian and narrated by Baby Barredo who also spearheaded the party plans. Recounting their memories of Bibot, or sending messages, were her relatives including her brother Tony, her aunts Mary Morato and Nini Avancena, her children Charlie and Etienne, Don Jaime Zobel, Sonia Roco, Nora Aunor, Eric Quizon, Sister Josephini Ambatali, Enchang and Mari Kaimo, Anton Juan, Behn Cervantes, Tony Espejo, Laurice Guillen, Father Reuter, Chito Ponce Enrile, Rajo Laurel, Rep. Imee Marcos, former VP and Mrs. Doy Laurel, Cesar and Joy Virata, Rep Miss Saigoners still performing abroad, Monique Wilson, other friends, actors and people she had worked with, and a person very important to her – her cook Carmen.

Then, alternating between tears and laughter, Bibot watched as many in the audience turned performer in an hour-long musical comedy entitled "The Ballad of Nenita" written by yours truly and directed by (despite having washed down his dinner with quite a big glass of wine) Michael Williams. Performing snatches of her life in songs and skits or singing their personal tributes were REP Shortstoppers and Showstoppers; Subas Herrero and Noel Trinidad; the REP actors, Celeste Legaspi, Mitch Valdez, Cocoy Laurel, Rep. Butz Aquino; Avon ladies; and Rep-Miss Saigon alumni. A special family number was performed by Baby and Charlie Barredo and Etienne Amador, Celia Diaz Laurel, Cocoy Laurel and the other Laurel children who had appeared with Rep; Roy, Nieves and Miren Alvarez; Noel and Joel Trinidad; Leo and Lorenz Martinez, Jimmy and Paolo Fabregas, Joy and Gigi Virata; and Tony, Marijke and Raquel Amador. A surprise number was performed by some of the members of Ms. Amador’s Thursday literature class including Marot Moreno, Marilou Guingona, Mary Rufino, Juda Liu, Dette Paterno, Ely Esteban and Monique Villonco. Finally Rep’s full-time office and technical and behind-the-scenes staff gave their tribute with a rousing production number entitled "My Boss."

Then Tony Amador asked the audience to raise their glasses to this "great lady" who is the founder, president and artistic director of the 37-year-old Repertory Philippines Foundation, Inc., heads the Cinema Evaluation Board, is a newspaper columnist, has appeared in and directed cinema and television, and has won numerous awards for acting and directing.

The party lasted way into the early hours of the morning and, as someone once said, "a good time was had by all."