A fun night with Merci M.

MANILA, Philippines - Lately, it seems like Chicago is becoming an active part of my life. In October, this writer flew to New Orleans to cover the premiere of the touring production of Chicago, the hit Broadway musical that will have a three-week limited engagement at The Solaire in Manila, which begins Dec. 3 and runs until Dec. 21. Then, just last week, I flew to Chicago — but not to meet with Velma Kelly or Roxie Hart — but because of one very special lady who was celebrating her birthday!

The special lady is no less than the legendary singer Merci Molina. Merci, who is now known to her close friends as Mercedes Hanley after having been married for nearly 30 years now to the very handsome Joseph “Joe” Hanley, turned another year prettier and lovelier last Nov. 10. On Nov. 8, Merci’s relatives and friends joined her to celebrate her birthday at her beautiful mansion in the city Green Oaks, north of Chicago. The sprawling property boasts of a pond.

Some of Merci’s friends traveled from all over the United States and spent the weekend with her. Boots Babushka of the Paper Dolls fame flew from New York and performed her unmatched impressions of Pilita Corrales and Liza Minnelli. Merci’s California-based friends also came. Former singer Yolly dela Torre flew from Oxnard. Singer Gemma Franco and her husband Mitchell Smith flew from San Francisco together with entertainer Thage Montecarlo. From Los Angeles, this writer joined Joseph Gelito (one of the top stage comedians in L.A.), Nicholas Kidman (the fashion designer popularly known in Manila as Avon Roces) and Cristine Burdick (the daughter of the late Filipino movie stars Shirley Gorospe and Zaldy Zchornack). Most of her guests were based in Chicago.

There were about 60 guests who came to celebrate. Some guests brought Merci gifts and flowers despite her request not to although many heeded her request. The guests feasted on a dish of steamed large prawns (flown fresh from Maine just for the occasion), roast beef, pasta, salmon and chicken wings (prepared by Chicago-based restaurant owner Jose Melendez and Merci’s good friend and neighbor Joanne Rialla) and some sweet desserts prepared specially for Merci by Lola Adang’s Restaurant.

For appetizers, Merci served delicious egg rolls (lumpiang shanghai), which was a hit to her non-Filipino guests, fresh salads prepared for her by Sunset Foods and a selection of cheeses and nuts.

The highlight of the party was when Merci was surprised with a full-on entertainment show organized by her nephew, Palanca-winning playwright Abel Molina, featuring Boots, Gemma, Thage and Joseph. “It was a fun evening,” Merci would tell this writer the next afternoon on our way to our late lunch.

Oh, the cake was delicious, too.