THE FACES REUNION. It’s been a decade since Bobong Velez closed the doors of Faces Disco for good in 1995. At the height of its popularity circa the late ‘80s to early’90s, Faces Disco was known as the happening–est party place.
It was here that theme parties came into vogue when the guests came in the required "dress code." Here the society chroniclers found fodder for their gossip mills and there was plenty, indeed, including a few controversial couplings and shenanigans. Those were the fun days, I tell you!
So everybody is now a decade older but the fun spirit remains as evident by the crowds that swarmed to Bobong Velez’s new place, the Mezze, in Greenbelt 2, Makati, for the Faces Reunion.
"Faces Reunion, Ten Years After" was co–presented by MasterCard International in cooperation with MTV Philippines, Johnnie Walker, Mendez Medical Group, San Miguel Beer, Absolut Vodka, bYSI, Garnier, Lancome Paris, Maybelline New York, Ralph Lauren, Kerastase and L’Oreal.
We saw many familiar faces and recalled two missing persons who had passed away (like Bobong’s brother Joey Velez and partner Pinggoy Pengson) since 1995.
Original Faces spinner Boyet Almazan was onboard churning out memories with his music of ‘80s dances of the likes of Lionel Ritchie (remember him?). We grooved and danced wherever we were…. On the mezzanine, sitting in first floor lounge, or outside under the tent where Mike Toledo was calling on Faces alumni, with help from Bobong Velez and Donnie Ramirez, the Faces drumbeater of yore.
Businessman Dick Chiongbian was unanimously voted "super loyalist" because, as I recall, he sat every night on the same table as Faces disco. Celebrity couple Anthony Pangilinan and wife Maricel Laxa Pangilinan who reported romanced in Faces received the "Marriage Made in Faces" award.
Gem Padilla accepted the "Glamour" award on behalf of her colleagues, models Tweety de Leon, Patti Betita, Annette Coronel, Isa Gonzalez, Suyen Chi, et al. (Faces diehard, former model Alta Tan has since moved to Canada.)
Dance diva Becky Garcia received the "Hotstrutter" award. Kiko Laurel and the Fishermen’s Club got the High Roller Award which his wife Cheska accepted on his behalf.
We were told to bring any Faces memorabilia we had but top hoarder it turns out was Geena Zablan of Heritage Hotel who got the "Collector’s Award." She brought bales of Faces stuff from old copies of the Faces magazine, well preserved invitations, posters,a vintage glass paperweight — oh gosh!
Actress Carmi Martin, another Faces devotee, was chosen by the Mendez Medical Group as the "All Time Beauty" girl. Young fashionista Chi Chi Trinidad was chosen bYSI Girl of the Night. And me! I was named "Faces media ninang" because I cut the ceremonial ribbon to open Faces, along with (as I recall) Eva Abesamis, et al.
Then, of course, Boyet Almazan was cited as "Mr. DJ."
We joined Faces alumni like Mario Katigbak, Richard Ching, Jun and Elaine Kintanar, Freddie Panicucci, Resty Vergara, et al.
But still there were so many faces missing that night — 10 years, after all, is a long time and many of the Faces devotees have gone geriatric meanwhile, alas. So that dashes any hope for a revival unless discos come back into style for the younger generation, which I doubt very much.
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BY THE WAY…. Birthday greetings this week go to — artist and flamenco dancer Dante Silverio, my artistic friend Esther Barbin, writer Margie Enriquez, Carlo Magdaluyo, today, Oct. 17; socialite Nellie Bengzon, ex–mayor Julian Malonso, Oct. 18; Vangie Cornejo, Rory San Jose, Lee Kintanar of Cebu, Oct. 19; businessman Armand Padilla, food writer Chona Trinidad, Aida Sevilla, Oskee Salazar, events organizer Lyn Romero, Mag Cruz Hatol, Oct. 20; PDI lifestyle editor Chelo Banal Formoso, opera singer and mentor Irma Potenciano, SM scion Herbert Sy, singer Mitch Valdez, Eppie Llanes Cassidy, my STC classmate Tessie Estayo Rodrigo, Oct. 21; Tereret Liboro, Oct. 22; dearest Freddie Panicucci of Linea Italia, singer Verni Varga Oledan, Ralph Nubla, Carol Llamanzares, Patricia Puyat, Oct. 23… welcome to French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel who takes over the Philippine post after Amb. Renee Veyret…. Catch Benjamin Boo in a concert dubbed "Heart and Soul" on Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 p.m., at the Meralco Theater on Ortigas, presented by TechnoMarine in cooperation with Cole Haan for the benefit of God Loves Community House. … meanwhile, be good, think good thoughts, do good deeds, and SMILE!
