'Babe Ruthy'

Perhaps because she can still fit into a body-hugging Versace gown, investment banker and mother of four Ruthy Vera didn’t keep her golden year secret. In fact, she reveled in her 50th birthday, and many celebrated the years with her.

Though Ruthy is also a wiz at organizing family parties and vacations for her husband Bobet and their children, she always puts herself last when it comes to her own celebration. That is why for her 50th birthday party, she handed over the reins to others. 

Mike Miñana and his team from ThemeWorks were called to oversee production. Then the best people for lighting, sound, technical and support staff were hired.

Ruthy, choosing to add a personal touch to her party, wanted to use her in-house florist, table cloth, plate chargers and china. Everything fell into place as she identified her family’s favorites — Via Mare as lead caterer, Terry’s for the cocktails, Peppermill for the rib-eye steak and Heny Sison for the desserts. Two ensembles, the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra of which Ruthy and Bobet are regular patrons, and AMP Orchestra were booked for the night’s entertainment. 

One week before the party, the expansive garden of Bobet and Ruthy’s home at Forbes Park began to take form. Platforms started covering the entire lawn, topped with green carpet. A tent higher than the two-storey house began to rise and take shape. 

On March 3, the big day had finally come and Ruthy’s staff laid boxes of delightful Patchi chocolate giveaways on tables named after Paris, Rome, New York and other favorite cities of Ruthy.

Giant topiaries of red American roses on glass flutes decked the tables. More blooms adorned the clear acrylic stage and floated on the blue waters of the garden pool. Candles quietly sparkled from every table. All was finally set.

At exactly seven in the evening, the main doors of the well-appointed home of Bobet and Ruthy opened. Guests were ushered into the beautifully lit garden for cocktails. Fine white and red wine, slivers from a leg of Iberico ham and an array of cocktail delights were served as Mel Villena’s AMP Orchestra played on.

Then it was time for dinner. The first course of pumpkin soup was paraded and served in synchronized fashion with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Rodel Colmenar playing Queen of Sheba. Salad and pasta followed. The piece de resistance was the rib-eye steak that was served piping hot from the grill and into the plates of the guests. The dinner was capped with petit fours and an impressive buffet of fabulous desserts.

Enjoying this delectable feast were the Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber and wife Gracita Tolentino, the Canadian Ambassador Christopher Thornley and wife Catherine, and the Finnish Ambassador Heikki Hannikainen and wife Loretta. 

At the party, too, were Resorts World Manila’s president Kingson Sian with wife Lulu, PLDT and Smart president and CEO Polly Nazareno with wife Cecile, PCSO’s GM Joy Rojas with wife Trisha, TV5 president and CEO lawyer Ray Espinosa, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and STAR director Kevin Belmonte with wife Rose Anne and DBP director Anton Periquet.

Other guests who came to celebrate Ruthy’s milestone were Bishop Ted Bacani, Betsy Westendorp, Piki and Monina Lopez, Joey and Marissa Concepcion, Mikey and Lizette Cojuangco, Buboy and Libet Virata, Dodo and Viel Dee, STAR’s Tim Yap and sister Cindy Yang, as well as Popoy Juico, Cherry Ty and Justa Tantoco.

Politics were set aside that night as everyone enjoyed the affair. Spotted were former Sen. Loi Ejercito, Rep. Boying Remulla with wife Jip, Rep. Sonny Angara with wife Tootsy, and the Binays — Dr. Elenita Binay, Anne Binay-Alcantara, Nancy Binay-Angeles with husband Pepito and Rep. Abigail Binay-Campos with husband Luis.

The night for Ruthy would not have been complete without her immediate family, friends from the British School Manila, business colleagues from CLSA Exchange Capital, Inc., and childhood friends from Poveda and UP.

With coffee and tea being served, Miguel, the tall and handsome son of Bobet and Ruthy, went up on stage to emcee the program. After a few moments, the lights dimmed and without fanfare Bobet began to sing the first bars of I’ve Got a Crush on You. Unknown to all the guests, from inside the house, an all too familiar voice was heard joining in the song. Then finally she made her appearance — it was Lea Salonga walking down the center aisle to duet with Bobet! That truly brought the house down. The one-hour concert ended with a duet with Ruthy’s youngest son Paolo, singing A Whole New World.

Francesca, the only daughter, then surprised everyone with a flawless tribute. She said that her mother was selfless and did everything for her family without asking for anything in return. Despite that, she still finds time for herself because not everyone can fit into a fitted Versace gown at 50!

After Francesca came Anton, the oldest child. He first lovingly joked that he not only inherited his mom’s good looks and style but also her lack of talent for singing. He then shared many lessons his mom has bestowed on him but a major lesson was how important marriage and family is in anyone’s life. When he grows up, he said he needs to marry someone just like his mom.

Then it was Ruthy’s turn to speak. She said, “Dad (Ador Cruz) taught me the basics to always say please and thank you; to keep quiet when I have nothing nice to say about other people; Mom (Viola Cruz) taught me a lot but the essence of it all is to put God in everything that I do, to live a life that is holy, one that is pleasing to God.”

As midnight approached, the cake was rolled in as the family moved to the dance floor, surrounding the simple yet elegant cake prepared by Heny Sison. 

It was truly a party to remember not just because of the revelry but more so because of the woman who was celebrated that night, whose inner gold, we hope, will shine even brighter in the years ahead.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected].)