Starry, starry send-off
At the end of the long night of hobnobbing and kibitzing, celebrator Wilma Galvante quipped: “I’ve never seen this kind of send-off in show biz.”
It was because a number of Kapuso stars, even those who had left for other stations, trooped to Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City, to greet Galvante a happy 60th birthday and say goodbye at the same time. Galvante recently retired from her post as GMA 7 senior vice president for Entertainment TV, after 23 years in the station.
Action star Robin Padilla, now with ABS-CBN, attended the party—and bumped into former “Joaquin Bordado” director Mac Alejandre (who recently transferred to TV5).
TV5 host Mr. Fu joked: “How nice that you still recognize me.”
Galvante retorted: “I gave you a show, but you left me for another channel.”
The light-hearted mood was jump-started by a video, prepared by Galvante’s former staff (led by director Rommel Gacho), that poked gentle fun at their former boss’ passion for pashmina shawls and flutes.
The network’s shows were represented at the bash: Michael V, Manilyn Reynes (“Pepito Manaloto”); Regine Velasquez, Jaya ( “Party Pilipinas”); Lovi Poe, Geoff Eigenmann (“Legacy”); Katrina Halili, Carl Guevarra (“My Beloved”), Glaiza de Castro (“Biritera”); Rita Iringan (“Alice Bungisngis and the Wonder Walis”); Max Collins (“The Good Daughter”). “StarStruck” alumni Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Rocco Nacino, Diva Montelaba and Enzo Pineda were also there.
World-renowned boxer Manny Pacquiao played the guitar and performed two folksy songs: Siakol’s “Bakit Ba” and Freddie Aguilar’s “Sa Kabukiran.”
Kapuso star Sarah Lahbati and her “Kokak” director Ricky Davao, along with execs Darling de Jesus and Marivin Arayata, serenaded guests, including Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and son Ronald Singson (who arrived with friend Jomari Yllana), news anchors Mel Tiangco and Mike Enriquez, hosts German Moreno and Ali Sotto (with husband Omar Bsaies), actor Tirso Cruz III, actress Isabel Oli, child star Jillian Ward, Tape bosses Tony Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar, producer Marichu Maceda, beauty expert Cory Quirino, manager Ethel Ramos, director Louie Ignacio, singer Faith Cuneta, and Kapuso execs Annette Gozon-Abrogar and Joey Abacan, among others.
Real-life couples Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes; Rochelle Pangilinan and Arthur Solinap; Kyla and Rich Alvarez, were spotted, too.
Biggest surprise of the evening was the arrival of Annabelle Rama, who had patched things up with Galvante the previous day with the help of Regal producer Lily Monteverde, host of the party.
