Dec. 23, 1960 was a red-letter day in the social registry of the so-called Manila’s 400. That day was the 18th birthday, the debut, of Marichu Vera Perez. She was the eldest daughter of Dr. Jose Perez and Azucena Vera. They owned Sampaguita Pictures, one of the biggest film studios in the country.
The debut’s guest list included prominent figures in government, politics, business and of course, cinema.
Sampaguita was home of the most glamorous, the biggest and the brightest stars. The likes of Carmen Rosales, Paraluman, Gloria Romero, Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez, Barbara Perez, Daisy Romualdez, Liberty Ilagan, Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces; Oscar Moreno, Fred Montilla, Ric Rodrigo, Luis Gonzales, Juancho Gutierrez, Romeo Vasquez, Jose Mari Gonzalez and Eddie Gutierrez.
The famous Sampaguita Garden was turned into a fantasy land for the debutante’s ball. The debutante wore a dazzling gown by Ramon Valera.
Movie stars, socialites and eligible bachelors rubbed elbows with VIPs.
Media covered the event, calling it ‘a night to remember.’ Marichu was dubbed Debutante of the Year. — RKC