The 22nd FAP Awards, Oscars-style

Dear God, please don’t let it rain on our parade!

That must be the fervent prayer of Albert Martinez and Kevin Limjoco of the newly-formed Big Mango Productions which is behind the 22nd Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards scheduled on Saturday, July 3, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

It’s rainy season, you see, and in these unpredictable times, you can never tell when the heavens will shed tears (sob!). What a time to hold an awards night – and halfway through the year at that, when other award-giving bodies are gearing up for next year’s race! If they haven’t done it yet, I suggest that Albert and Kevin offer dozens of eggs to Sta. Clara and implore her to please don’t let the rain fall, at least not during the much-touted "Red Carpet" which ushers in the event Oscars-style, calculated to bring back the glamour and glitter sorely lacking in an industry which is taking time to get back on two strong feet.

Yes, the "Red Carpet."

"It will start at 2:30 p.m. to be hosted by Boy Abunda, Tim Yap and Tessa Prieto Valdez," said Albert, his voice full of great expectations. "It’s similar to the fabled Red Carpet at the Oscars where the stars put their best foot forward and get to display their designer attire."

Just to make sure, added Albert, the Red Carpet (from the Roxas Boulevard sidewalk to the entrance of the CCP, roughly half a mile long) will he shaded in case it rains (keep your fingers crossed that it will not). Celebrities will assemble at the Westin Philippine Plaza starting at 1 p.m. (with the celebrities, and not just the weather, cooperating) where snacks will be served while they wait for their car assignments provided by Jaguar and BMW of Prestige Motors that will bring them to the Red Carpet. Lucky celebrities will get eyewear from Keneth Cole and Morgan, according to Albert.

"Attire is strictly formal," reminded Albert, "Tux or Black Barong for the men and full gown for the ladies."

Mel Meer of Bergamo will provide the tux while the following couturiers will provide the gowns for the ladies, to wit:

• Rajo Laurel for Regine Velasquez, Liezl Martinez, Boy Abunda, Raymond Bagatsing, Tessa Prieto-Valdez, Alyanna Martinez and Alessandra Martinez
• Barge Ramos for Ara Mina, Assunta de Rossi, Allan Paule and Gardo Versoza
• Randy Ortiz for Pops Fernandez and Ogie Alcasid
• Ito Curata for Cherie Gil
• Vic Barba for Joyce Jimenez
• Patrice Diaz for Iza Calzado
• Avel Bacudio for Vina Morales and Jean Garcia
• JC Buendia for Baron Geisler, Marvin Agustin, Mark Herras and Dennis Trillo
• PJ Aranador for Angel Locsin
• Rholand Roxas for Jenny Miller
• Inno Sotto for Maricel Soriano
• Paul Cabral for Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Meryl Soriano and Rainier Castillo
• Larry Espinosa for Maricel Laxa
• Arielle Agasang for Maui Taylor
• Jontie Martinez for Cherry Pie Picache and
• Njork for Marc Nelson
Six celebrities will be "jewelled" by Bulgari. Bongga? stay tuned.

D-day will be kicked off by a Grand Fans Day at the nearby Folk Arts Theater. Registration starts at 7 a.m. for fans who want to participate in the contest for sing-alike/look-alike of their favorite stars in booth visits and in the games (with loads of prizes), with surprise visits from the stars. The first 100 lucky fans will get a commemorative FAP sport shirt and a chance to win a cellphone and ticket to the awards ceremonies.

What else can we expect?

These – and more:

• Cocktails will be served at the main lobby of the CCP for the VIPs and celebrities, courtesy of Tequila Joe’s and California Pizza Kitchen.

• Show starts promptly at 5 p.m. Doors will be closed and, sorry na lang po, late-comers will have to wait for the intermission before they will be allowed in.

• Full orchestra to be conducted by Gerard Salonga. Performances will be rendered by Ballet Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino, Ballet Theater, Regine Velasquez, Kuh Ledesma, Vina Morales, South Border and Jay-R. (TV and over-all director is Louie Ignacio, with CCP’s Cris Millado as stage director.)

• Winners for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director will receive a premium watch from Bvlgari and premium products from Store Specialists, Inc. (SSI) which carries the brands of Gucci, Armani, Keneth Cole, Burberry, Ferragamo, Philippine Charriol, DKNY, etc.

The event (to be covered by ABC 5) will be capped by a "By Invitation Only" First Director-General’s Ball (similar to the one hosted by Vanity Fair at the Oscars), sponsored by Smart-Infinity and hosted by Philippine Tatler, designed by Anton Mendoza, with flowers and accessories by Robert Blancaflor (of 1816 Florist) and salads/coffee by Gourmet Cafe.

The main course, prepared by Westin Philippine Plaza executive chef Brian Farrell, consists of :

• Advance Screening - Blackened Tuna, Salmon Ballotine with Cucumber Mango Salad

• Wild Steamy Nights – A hot smooth soup of Saffron Lemongrass and Shell Fish Bisque served with crisp Seaweed Bread Slivers

• Bitter Sweet – Tangy Lemon Sorbet in a Golden Sugar Nest

• US Hanger Beef Tenderloin (Main Feature) – Layered with Ribbons of Vegetables Roasted Garlic Truffle Cream & Cloud Ear Mushrooms.

• Bravo! Baileys Irish Cream Trio – Coffee and Baileys Mousse Baileys Fruit and Berry Trifle Mini Baileys Cheese Cake

Burp, burp, burp!!!

Every table, to be designed by Essences, will be named after such premium products as L’Occitane and La Prairie. Special "loot bags" will be given to all performers and presenters by Essences. (Other sponsors are Bvlgari, SSI Premium Products, Taiping, Discovery Suites and Le Soleil of Boracay.)

Special prizes will be given at the ball for winners of Best Gown, Best Filipiniana Gown, Best Male in Tux, Stars of the Night and the Face of the Night. (Prize is a Chanel Bag courtesy of Dr. Vicki Belo.)

Meawhile, a word about Big Mango Productions...

The thrust of the company is similar to that of Albert Martinez and FAP director-general Leo Martinez – The Filipino Artist is World-Class!

Besides events like the 22nd FAP Awards, Big Mango will produce movies, with Full House as its first venture (story by Albert and Kevin Limjoco; screenplay by Senedy Que II and Lilit Reyes). The movie is about four men who share a strong friendship as well as a kinship for card-playing, specially written for Aga Muhlach, Edu Manzano, Christopher de Leon and Johnny Delgado.

Oh, well, but that’s another story altogether.

For the time being, let the spotlight be on the 22nd FAP Awards.

And let’s hope it doesn’t rain.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])