Charo Santos hinarana ng mga paboritong leading man!

Although Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN President and CEO, will turn 60 on October 27, an advance birthday celebration was held in her honor, courtesy of Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, Chairman of ABS-CBN Corporation, Tuesday, October 20, at the Isla Room of the EDSA Shangri-la Manila.

It was a star-studded event, ‘di na kataka-taka. Nandoon hindi lang ang mga executives ng network, kundi ang kanila ring nagnining-ningang mga bituin. The young ones and senior ones.

And they came in their best togs, as usual.

Magkaka-table ang mga bagets na sina Jason Abalos, Gerald Anderson, Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee, Paolo Avelino at Alex Gonzaga.

Samantala, ang bayaw ni Alex, na si Direk Paul Soriano, although, obviously assigned in the same table, made the rounds na bumati sa mga kakilala.

Ang asawa naman niyang si Toni Gonzaga ay sinamahan siya pagkatapos nitong kumanta sa stage.

Sa ibang table assigned si John Lloyd Cruz, who came minus girlfriend Angelica Panganiban.

Later, naki-table siya with Gerald group, with ABS CBN executive, August Benitez.

Escortless din si Matteo Guidicelli, dahil ang kanyang girlfriend na si Sarah Geronimo ay may shoot para sa isang endorsement. Angel Locsin naman was shooting for All Of My Life, her movie with Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto.

Obviously, the reason why Ate Vi was, too, not in the party. Dito with direk Joyce Bernal.

Xiam Lim, who is in the All of My Life, ay dumating kasama ang rumored girlfriend and favorite leading lady na si Kim Chiu.

Sa iisang table naman naman magkatabi sina Coco Martin at Julia Montes.

But when Julia left, napansin naming nag-iisa lang siya.

Nag-iisa ring umalis at dumating si Lorna Tolentino.

Samantala, kahit hindi magkasabay dumating sina Jolina Magdangal at Marvin Agustin, umalis sila ng party na magkasama.

They later went home in separate cars.

Asked kung kelan ipapalabas ang Written In The Stars, upcoming series niya with Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby, Jolina answered baka next year.

Nag-comeback as a love team sina Marvin at Jolina sa natapos na ser­yeng Flordeliza.

Ang ganda-ganda ni Dawn Zulueta, when she arrived with husband Davao Congressman Anton Lagdameo.

Since we heard na last term na si Sir Anton sa nabanggit na position, we asked him kung bakit hindi niya naisipang tumakbo for Senator.

Natawa, sagot niya, gusto muna niyang magpahinga.

Obviously, from politics.

Speaking of Dawn, her favorite screen partner na si Richard Gomez ay may special number, kasama sina Sam Milby, Christopher de Leon, Aga Muhlach at Piolo Pascual.

Tinagurian silang limang favorite leading men ni Ma’am Charo.

Each of them sung a number. Sam, She’s Always A Woman To Me; Richard, Just The Way You Are; Christopher, Wild Flower; Aga, When You Say Nothing At All, and Piolo, Say.

For their finale, nagsama-sama sila para sa another number.

We would consider that particular number the best part in the show, dedicated to Ma’am Charo.

All in all, Salve A., the event was a fitting tribute to Ma’am Charo, a woman of intelligence, power, plus beauty. But, most of all, she remained first and foremost a lady. And a good wife and mother.

Happy birthday Ma’am Charo…

Personal...

I’ve worked with Ma’am Charo for several years in several projects. Though a disciplinarian, I’ve never seen her lost her poise. Much less, magalit.

Well, Ma’am Charo, happy birthday. May God bless you and your family always. (Maligayang kaarawan Madam Charo. – SVA)