Aga turns emotional at party
Aga Muhlach was like a mischievous kid trapped in a 42-year-old man’s body during his fab birthday bash last Friday night at Top of the Citi by Chef Jessie in Makati.
“I am crazier now!” he exclaimed. Aga was playful, affectionate and emotional that night. His gorgeous wife Charlene told me he was misty-eyed the whole day. Perhaps it’s partly because he misses his mom on the day she brought him into this world.
“I’d like to thank all of you for taking time to celebrate with me,” Aga said, his voice croaking. “Lahat kayo may sari-sariling buhay pero nag-abala kayong pumunta dito ngayon … kahit minsan di ako nakakapunta ’pag iniimbita niyo ko. Parang gusto ko mag-breakdown sa sobrang saya.”
No gate-crashers
It was a sit-down dinner exquisitely prepared and served on a long, 80-seater glass table complete with name cards and white floral arrangements. No gate-crashers were allowed. Neither were TV crew given access to the party because Aga always wants his birthday celebrations to be devoid of show biz mayhem.
The sumptuous birthday menu consisted of grilled tiger prawn with scallops, duck confit cornucopia with crispy skin, sauteed mushrooms in creamy balsamic vinaigrette dressing, creamy lobster bisque, panfried sea bass with goose liver on a bed of linguine al burro, frozen grapes, charcoal-grilled Japanese sirloin steak in Madeira sauce with a timbale of wild rice vegetable risotto and sauteed french beans.
The desserts were named after Aga and Charlene’s kids: Prince Andres and Princess Atasha rare strawberry cheesecake.
Among the guests were Sharon Cuneta and Kiko Pangilinan, Willie Revillame, Gary and Angeli Valenciano, Angel Locsin, Lea Salonga, Ruffa Gutierrez, Julius and Tintin Babao, Karen Davila, Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez, Bong Revilla, Herbert Bautista, KC Concepcion, Toni Gonzaga and boyfriend Paul Soriano, Liezl and Albert Martinez, Bayani and Len Agbayani, Manny Pangilinan, Perci Intalan, Vic del Rosario, Mother Lily and Roselle Monteverde, Rowell Santiago, Ricky Davao, the Muhlachs, Aga’s love child Igi and his wife Patricia.
Lea, Sha, Gary, Toni and Albert gamely sang as the birthday boy jammed with them.
Willie and Gary had a percussion showdown. It reminded me of the day I first met Willie when he was still a struggling drummer in Birdland. Aga cajoled me to remind Willie of his birthday lambing, which is one of Willie’s luxury cars.
Knowing how generous Willie is, I’m sure Aga’s request won’t go ungranted. It was heartwarming to see Aga and Willie so close once again after they had a tampuhan some months ago. Equally touching was Willie and Sharon’s making peace at the party after months of playing deadma to each other.
Big loser
I was pleasantly surprised to see a trim Sha. “Kaya bawal pa ako lumabas,” she said. “Kasi surprise ang weight loss ko sa finale of Biggest Loser.”
I was also relieved that Angeli Pangilinan and I were finally able to patch things up after her cousin Candy Pangilinan lashed at my son IC.
Gary put it so aptly: “Let’s forget the numbers. Whether we are from 2, 7 or 5, what matters is we are all united here tonight to show our appreciation to our friend Aga.”
I gave Aga a Michael Jackson book since we are both MJ fanatics.
Birthday cheers, Aga! You don’t grow older—only zanier and cuter!
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