For the love of ‘Mother’

In true Regal fashion, the birthday party for producer Lily Monteverde, who turned 72, was star-studded.

Celebrities turned up at the Monteverdes’ Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City to greet the feisty producer, whose husband Remy and daughters Roselle and Sherida led the celebration.

In a speech, “Mother Lily” said, “I may not be a taipan, but I am rich [in terms of] friends.”

Among the Regal Babies present were Lovi Poe, Jake Cuenca and Dennis Trillo.

A big surprise was the appearance of Nora Aunor with German Moreno, who jested that he was the Superstar’s bodyguard. “Ate Guy” joked that Regal had 10 movies lined up for her. Mother replied: “I can’t stop loving Guy,” recalling Nora’s 1985 hit, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” with Tirso Cruz III.

The party was a reunion for Nora and her former directors Elwood Perez (“Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit”), Gil Portes (“’Merika”) and Joel Lamangan (“Sidhi”).

Digna Santiago, producer of the anti-US bases film, “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo,” also caught up with that film’s star, La Aunor.

Old and new Regal directors Mel Chionglo, Chito Roño, Jun Lana, Richard Somes and Topel Lee were present, as was Gabby Concepcion, 1980s Regal baby.

Other celeb guests included Ruffa Gutierrez, Annabelle Rama, Paolo Avelino, Ervic Vijandre, Martin Escudero, John Lapus, Mr. Fu, Leo Dominguez, Popoy Caritativo, Raquel Villavicencio, Ricky Davao, Evelyn Vargas, Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano, Ian Batherson, Ethel Ramos, Manet Dayrit, Marissa Laguardia, Lali Suzara, CCP head Raul Sunico, Tape Inc.’s Malou Choa-Fagar, ABS-CBN exec Cory Vidanes, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon and James Yap.

Mother said she might remake old basketball movies like “Shoot that Ball” and “Last Two Minutes” for James, who is comanaged by her son Dondon.

The biggest surprise was when the celebrator turned the tables on guests Boots Anson-Roa and Marichu Maceda and “gifted” Mowelfund with P500,000.