Ramada Plaza Hotel’s multi-functional Crystal Ballroom was instantly transformed into one huge Disco Club vividly reminiscent of the glorious era of psychedelic prints, frivolous gangs, and funky music which were then regular fixtures at Silahis International Hotel’s Stargazer, Intercon’s Where Else?, Hyatt’s Isis, Philippine Plaza’s Lost Horizon, Manila Garden’s Another World, and other venues of lesser grandiosity like Banawe’s Spindle, Mandaluyong’s Black Angel, Greenbelt’s Delirium, and Buendia’s Velvet Slum. Only a spherical mirror ball was missing and the 70s disco scene could have perfectly achieved the ideated motif.
People in period get-ups constantly roamed and milled around the venue which drove hotel guests into great incredulity and felt somewhat outcasts but scrutinizing them up-close gave a clear notion of what exactly was going-on. The ‘70s era is back!
It was Cora Cajucom Reyes’ seventieth birthday and what better way to significantly celebrate it than by throwing a ‘70s-themed party to stupendously relive her remarkable era. Her guests arrived gaudily donned in multi-hued attires with headbands in all widths and textures, cravats in plains and printed, afro ‘dos in natural black, blondes, shocking rainbow hues, while others who were more daring enough chose lavender, green, tangerine, and even bright red for their sham crowning glory.
The magnanimous presence of her friends unmistakably heightened the thrill and excitement of the occasion with their omnifarious display of hip-styled costumes and peculiarly exquisite costumes. Guests, with their peculiarly jollified behavior, limitlessly socialized, persistently cut-the-rug, and turned the entire atmosphere into a dynamic and groovy thing.
Modestly attired in a chartreuse green, floor length gown with fully beaded bodice and electric pleated skirt fittingly matched with a long sleeve edge-trimmed top, radiantly looking Cora indefatigably welcomed and personally entertained every guest ably assisted by her ever-supportive hubby, Dr. Kits Reyes, who was equally dashing in his midnight black suit with burgundy bowtie and matching kerchief.
The engaging presence of Cora’s Manila-based fashion designer brother, Tony Cajucom, gave the birthday celebrant that much-needed assertion freeing her from getting fidgety knowing that she would be constantly at her best with Tony around at her beck and call.
The lively occasion, aptly dubbed 7-7-7 simply for a joint celebration: Cora’s turning 70 and Kit’s 77th birthday commemorated a few days earlier, was capably emceed by Rene Ballenas who was trendily garbed in an immaculate all white linen ensemble which made him stand out from among a bevy of outrageously colored outfits.
A lavishly conceived production number formally opened the program with twenty one dancers grouped into three. (Is your mathematical cleverness getting activated? Why 21 and 3 sets of 7?)
Dance participants were dramatically outfitted in white long sleeved polo shirts over black palazzo and bell-bottomed pants accentuated with either yellow, orange or pink sashes. And to achieve that very sophisticated period look of the 70s dancers sported afro pastiche in ignominiously voluminous shapes and hues.
The first group of seven kicked and swayed to Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive”, the second batch gamely gyrated to KC & The Sunshine Band’s “That’s the Way (I Like It),” while the final seven, not to be outdone, exhibited their dancing prowess to “I’m Gonna Get Dancing.” That segued to another KC & The Sunshine Band’s ‘70s chart topper “Shake Your Booty” with all three groups in an immensely vibrant dance routine finishing it off with Cora and Kit doing the Boogie while encircled by the dancers waving colorful buntings.
With tested terpsichorean gurus Rica Alix and Reynante Saldua behind, the especially choreographed dance presentation was boisterously received and highly applauded. They have to admit…they could relate!
Another special segment came up showcasing Jersey City’s pride and the Executive Band’s vocal soloist Allan Pacla who rendered his own vocal interpretation of melodiously easy-on-the-ear ditties: Michael Buble’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Save The Last Dance For Me,” and fittingly capped his sterling performance with Billy Paul’s ’72 hit single “Me & Mrs. Jones.”
A well-applauded entertainment portion was provided by recording dance-artist Jenn Cuneta, who wowed the crowd with her vocal rendition of an insistent request, “Ikaw,” which she soulfully delivered in reverberating a cappella while the internationally popular dancing brother-sister tandem of Craig and Samantha Abaya-Campos never failed their fans’ expectation after performing strenuous numbers.
The Reyes siblings were individually introduced which gave the guests a vantage familiarity of Cora and Kit’s family. The eldest, Carlo, was born in the Philippines, raised in New York City and married to Kate David. This top chef in his own kitchen is also a drum wizard and a master of lights behind the camera. Daughter Catherina is married to Ponti Fernandez for eight years and works as an attorney for Marsh & McLellan Insurance Brokerage. Michael, who’s considered a real gift being born on Christmas Day, was born in Galveston, Texas and raised in NYC. A twenty-five-year UN employee, Mike was innately gifted with a pair of terpsichorean feet. Robin, the youngest son who’s married to Kris Javier and a computer technology expert, is the Director of Information technology for Geotext, a New York-based legal services company.
Unfortunately, another daughter, Pier, who just finished her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine, failed to attend to her mom’s special day due to her forthcoming California State Board Exam.
The couple, Kit and Cora, executed their supposedly first dance to the tune of Jack Jones’ “All The Things You Are” and midway joined by their children. It was a beholding sight watching the family together simultaneously persuaded to move in unison by a single melody.
Then the dance floor was noticeably heavy with dance aficionados who unmindfully strutted, wiggled, stomped, and threw all cautions to the air to the invigorating music provided by Ernie Bugarin’s Sounds & Entertainment.
June birthday celebrators were invited to join Cora in blowing and slicing two huge birthday cakes which also served as the dinner party’s dessert.
As they say, even some good things have to end and after hours of dancing, drinking, and partying the final time had come. Guests were requested to form a circle as they sung “That’s What Friends Are For” while Cora went around personally thanking everyone, then guests moved around counter clockwise chanting while strutting.
The mood, the ambience, the overall impact…every single thing was undoubtedly of the ‘70s. But had the others been more resourceful and creative to be totally in-sync with the ‘70s era, they could have worn clogs, elevator shoes, body-hugging tees and polo shirts with wide stiff collars and cuffs, tunic separates, off-shouldered tops, and center-parted hairdos. But it was the way they preferred to be and their unified thinking resulted to a common look— hippie and hipped.
Nobody left the venue empty handed. Knowing Cora for her unsolicited generosity, she meticulously prepared little somethings for her guests to remember the unforgettable ‘70s throwback occurrence on June 28, 2014, her 70th birthday anniversary.
Being greeted by singing “Happy Birthday” and blowing birthday candles for the 70th time is one pompous life event worth celebrating and Cora’s ‘70s-themed seventieth birthday party was definitely a very noteworthy occasion that timely redefines the truest essence of friendship, family, and accomplishment amid a nostalgic setting.
A quintessential exponent of an indisputable Gemini woman, Cora is physically and mentally adaptable, effortlessly versatile, infectiously enthusiastic, eloquently skilled, spontaneously witty, and intellectually smart. Turning 70 becomes her…truly an enviable picture of serenity and contentment.
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