Senti to the max, Salve A., ang naramdaman ng lahat nang dumalo sa one-of-a-kind gathering ng mga icon of the local film industry from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s to the ‘80s, na ginanap sa Sampaguita Gardens noong Linggo.
Bale ba, well-represented ang then well-known Big Three ng local showbiz, Sampaguita Pictures, LVN Pictures, and Premiere Productions.
Kahit pa ang huling sumulpot na two independent film firm, Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Pictures at Larry Santiago Productions had their own representatives, kumbaga.
For example, among the Sampaguitans na aming naispatan (yes, we were invited to the exclusive event) were Susan Roces, Jose Mari, Eddie Gutierrez, who came with wife Annabelle Rama, Liberty Ilagan, Pepito Rodriguez, Romeo Rivera, Nori Dalisay, Amparo Lucas, at Eddie Garcia, still very active sa industry.
Sa mga LVNers naman, prominent ang presence nina Luz Valdez, Caridad Sanchez, Delia Razon, Gloria Sevilla, who was with daughter, Suzette Ranillo, and Letty Alonzo, who came with granddaughter, Valeen Montenegro, now a TV5 contract talent.
Letty was married to another LVNer, the late Mario Montenegro.
Truly, an eye-catcher was Mila del Sol, who was a singing superstar of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
She arrived in wheelchair. Puting-puti na ang kanyang buhok, which complemented her.
For those interested, Mila is now more popularly known as the Lola ng kilalang singer-musician, Ira Cruz.
Digna Santiago, who was with a daughter, represented Premiere Productions. Si Digna ay head ngayon ng New Wave section of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Celia Rodriguez, a former contract star ng Premiere was present as well. She confessed she felt nostalgic looking around and seeing familiar faces anew.
“Noong panahong iyon,’’ dugtong pa ni Celia, still looking glamorous as ever, ‘‘even if we belong to different movie studios, magkakaibigan kami.
‘‘That’s why,’’ patuloy pa niya, ‘‘I appreciate so much and grateful to President (now Manila Mayor) Erap for organizing this event.
‘‘Deep inside, fear ko, this will not happen again.’’
Manay Ichu binulabog ang mga paboritong photo studio ng mga artista para sa kakaibang photo gallery
Ichu Maceda, eldest of the children ng mag-asawang Dr. Jose Perez at Nene Vera, helped President Erap implement the reunion na naganap. It was she, ang tumulong na mag-create talaga ng kakaibang reunion, kumbaga, for this kind.
For example, she made sure, she had a collection of photographs of the artists na nasa listahan ng kanilang inimbitahan. Talagang binulabog niya ang Tropica Studios at Roper’s, dalawa sa photo studios na paboritong puntahan ng mga artista for their picture-taking.
Kaya, sa bungad pa lamang ng hall ng Sampaguita Gardens, bubulaga na sa bawat artistang dumarating ang photographs nila sa photo gallery, carefully prepared by Ichu and her staff.
Ayon kay Ichu, matagal nang balak ni President Erap ang mag-organize ng reunion ng icons. Pero madalas napu-postpone ito. Until napansin nga raw nilang dalawa, pahayag pa ni Ichu, paunti na nang paunti ang tinaguriang icons ng industry, dahil ‘‘tinawag’’ na sila ni Lord.
Thus, the program proper started with a prayer led by Fr. Larry Faraon.
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista delivered a speech. So did Manay Ichu, and of course, Mayor Erap.
An impromptu program was held. Kumanta si Pilita Corales ng tatlo na sinundan nina Mitch Valdez at Elizabeth Ramsey.
Sayang at ‘di natawag si Carmen Pateña to sing, nor Carmen Soriano.
Tiyak na kung ‘‘bumalik’’ na sa dati ang boses ni Nora Aunor, she, too, would have done a number.
‘‘Kung sabagay,’’ said a kibitzer, ‘‘tama na ang presence ni Guy (Nora’s pet name), pati na ng lahat pang mga artistang whose name we failed to mentioned.”
‘‘Mabuhay sila,’’ tukoy pa ng kibitzer.
To which, we say, ‘‘amen.”