A screen writer’s fantasy

Scriptwriter Ricky Lee sheepishly admitted that, as a kid, what he wanted to be was a rock star. “But I can’t sing, so this launch is the closest I could ever get to that dream,” he said.

The launch—for his second novel “Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata”—held at the Sky Dome of SM City North Edsa, was a rock groupie’s delight.

The 1,200-capacity venue was filled with friends, colleagues and supporters who were treated to a campy comedy-bar style show hosted by Ai Ai de las Alas and Eugene Domingo. Highlight was Dulce’s stirring rendition of Andres Bonifacio’s “Pag-Ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.”

As in the launch of his debut novel, “Para Kay B,” three years ago, Lee recruited industry friends to read excerpts. The only returning reader from “Para kay B” was Cherry Pie Picache; the rest were newbies.

Hunks Paulo Avelino, Martin del Rosario and Martin Escudero gladly crossed gender lines, turning queer, for their parts. Actor Joem Bascon and director Joel Lamangan read, too, along with husband-and-wife team Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos and ABS-CBN president Charo Santos.

Comic Jon Santos stole the show, with his impersonation of “Book Club Queen” Ofrah reading the chapter aptly titled, “Ang Alamat ng Bakla.”

Spotted in the gathering were directors Mel Chionglo, Gil Portes, Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Mac Alejandre and Jerry Lopez Sineneng, actors Gina Alajar, Anna Marin, Raquel Villavicencio, Alessandra de Rossi and Ahron Villena and National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera.

As Lee signed copies of the book, Jose F. Lacaba, Cooky Chua and Bayang Barrios serenaded the guests.

With the launch, Lee said, he meant to remind the public, “We are often ignored … but writers exist.”

Perhaps he could launch his next book at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

E-mail [email protected].