Fortunately, for Lolit, the ever so good and kind Vera-Perezes also consider her as one of them – at least in their hearts.
Lolit was actually one of the favorites of the great Dr. Jose Perez. Oh, how he loved her! Lolit, in turn, loved him just as much – yes, even in death.
To this day, the Vera-Perezes appreciate no end Lolit’s thoughtfulness as she continues to send year after year floral arrangements during the birth and death anniversaries of Dr. Perez who passed away in 1975.
In the beginning – during Lolit’s hungry years – she would send bougainvilleas in tin cans, which in spite of the humbleness of such offerings, were greatly appreciated by the Vera-Perezes. But as her finances improved, so did the quality of the flowers she sent for the tomb of her beloved Dr. Perez.
Today, she sends expensive floral sprays and the Vera-Perezes are pleased not only because Lolit has remained so thoughtful all these years, but also at how she gone so far in her career. Dr. Perez must be cheering in heaven.
In the late ’70s up to the early ’80s – when Lolit still felt young to be holding parties – the Vera-Perezes would open the fabled Vera-Perez gardens for her birthday celebrations and even provided the food that was always prepared by the family cook, Tessie Duay.
According to Lolit, anyone who had the intention of holding a party at the Vera-Perez gardens always had be nice to Tessie because if she didn’t like you, she’d mysteriously get sick on the week of your birthday and miraculously get well the day after.
Eventually, however, Lolit got tired of partying and didn’t hold birthday celebrations for years and years (except in Startalk because she usually has joint parties with another May-born, Rosanna Roces).
But last Saturday, May 11, the Vera-Perezes felt it was about time Lolit had another birthday celebration. Actually, Lolit’s birthday is still on the 20th of this month, but since the grand matriarch, Mrs. Azucena Vera-Perez, is leaving for abroad with daughter Lilibeth Nakpil, they had to hold the party about two weeks ahead (Mrs. Perez, Lilibeth and Ernest Maceda’s wife, Rica, incidentally are also all May celebrants).
Lolit’s party last Saturday was quite simple compared to those fabulous parties she had in the past. But it was just as fun and meaningful because her friends all came to celebrate with her.
Unlike her previous parties which were held at the poolside, Lolit’s party was confined to the now-airconditioned terraza which allowed guests to have more intimate conversations.
Call-time was at 7:30 p.m., but as early as 7 or even earlier, June Torrejon, Conchita Razon (Martin Nievera’s Mom and Manay Ichu’s best friend), photographer Richard Chen, Dolor and Emma Guevarra were already there. Then came Ronald Constantino, Bibsy Carballo, Kuya Mar D’ Guzman, Elvie Gonzalez, Paul Cabral, Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado, Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino, Tonton Gutierrez, Jerry Olea, Manny Valera, Lhar Santiago, Mel Navarro, Joed Serrano, Vicky Elizes, Ogie Diaz, Redgie Magno, GMA 7 big boss Wilma Galvante (who brought along her lovely daughter, Michiko) and Stalktalk staffers Gorgy Rula, Belinda Felix and Alvin Escarmoso.
Of course, there was Danny Dolor who brought desserts and sweets like palaeros (it’s the Batangas version of ginata’n) and panocha with peanuts (we all scrambled for them).
The enduring Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces sent ahead of her everyone’s favorite dish, ginataang puso ng saging, which I swear is to-die-for.
Oh yes, Tessie Duay was still around (and well – she obviously likes Lolit and didn’t feign sickness this time) to prepare chicken adobo that was just as tasty as the other dishes on the buffet table: roast beef, paella (both courtesy of Lilibeth Nakpil) and cocido from the Dasmariñas Village kitchen of Gina de Venecia. Later, in the night, Navotas Mayor Toby Chanco and his wife arrived with a whole Majestic ham which everyone ate with pan de sal.
In the middle of the party, I jokingly made a comment about how Lolit was fast getting worried about the arrival of her guests. No, she wasn’t panicking about them coming in trickles. On the contrary, she was worried that the turnout was getting to be so huge, her share of the leftover food she could bring home was starting to shrink with the arrival of each guest. Well, that’s the balot queen for you.
I actually can’t blame her since every dish on that table was really delicious. And as I type this, in fact, I’m still burping after eating Susan Roces’ ginataang puso ng saging for lunch. Yes, with Lolit as my mentor, I’ve turned into a balot prince myself.