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| Birthday boy Keren Pascual (seated, second from left) with guests (standing, from left) Enrico Santos, Joel Mercado, Law Tan, Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Ces Drilon, Roselle Monteverde, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Tunting Matters, Albert Martinez and this columnist. Seated, from left: Bea Alonzo, Keren, Mariole Alberto and Johnny Manahan. |
Saturday, March 11, marked the first time in three years that Keren Pascual hosted a fabulous dinner party to celebrate his March 13 birthday.
I have known Keren for over 30 years since we both lived in Los Angeles in the early ‘90s. When he came back to the Philippines, he became a PR maverick whose clientele included multinationals, cruise lines, and even politicians who needed his marketing savvy and expertise.
The last time he celebrated his natal day was the weekend before the COVID lockdown began in 2020, when he and 50 of his closest friends flew to the Dusit Thani Lubi plantation in Davao de Oro to mark the occasion.
This year, he decided to hold multiple celebrations and group his friends into even smaller subgroups to make the gatherings cozier and more intimate.
As soon as Keren, who came in black, entered the darkened sala, lights turned on and the wellwishers broke into a chorus of Happy Birthday. For a while, KPR was stunned. Most of the guests were big names in the country's entertainment and fashion industry.
Gracing the dinner were ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Pia Bacungan, Evelyn Raymundo, Rachel Simon-Palomar, Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal, Bea Alonzo, Ria Atayde, Kathryn Bernardo, Iza Calzado, Kim Chiu, Erich Gonzales, Janine Gutierrez, Alexa Ilacad, Angel Locsin, Melissa Ricks, Bianca Manalo, Jessy Mendiola, Julia Montes, Maricar Reyes, Rhian Ramos, KC Montero, Nikki Valdez, Piolo Pascual with son Inigo Pascual, Gerald Anderson with Julia Barretto, Edward Barber with Maymay Entrata, Rayver Cruz with Julie Anne San Jose, Jake Cuenca with Kylie Verzosa, JC de Vera, Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Grae Fernandez, Joshua Garcia, Zaijan Jaranilla, Xian Lim, Arron Villaflor, Zanjoe Marudo, Rafael Rosell, Brent Javier, Luke Jickain, Marvin Wijangco, Justine Gabinoza, Ann Umali-Lontoc, Daniel James, Queenie Salmon, Mika Reins, Yaofa Dela Cruz, Mauro Lumba, Philippe Magalona, Joseph Marco, David Chua, Carlo Gonzales, Mark Lopez, Miko Raval, Raphael Robes, Randy See, Jerome Tan, Sydney Du, Sky Yang, LA Aguinaldo, Aya Abesamis, Kai Suzon, Carlo Magdaluyo, Ces Drilon, Korina Sanchez, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, McDonald's Managing Director Margot Torres, Unilever Philippines Executive Vice President & CEO Benjie Yap, Darren Espanto, Vice Ganda, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Johnny Manahan and Mariole Alberto, Star Magic road managers Danilyn Nunga and Edelweiss Abrenica, HOOQ PH Content and Programming Head Jeff Remigio, Pat-P Daza, Noel Ferrer, Enrico Santos, Joel Mercado, Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, PEP editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon, Girlie Rodis, Eloisa Matias, Leo Katigbak, Shirley Kuan, Hermie de Leon, Rudy Villar, Charmaine Canillas, Sandra Puno, John Rojo, Digna Santos, Law Tan, Dolor Guevarra, Angelica Alita, Bibeth Orteza, Malou Choa-Fagar, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle editor Arnel Patawaran, Liza Ilarde and Elbert Cuenca, former Anakalusugan Party List Rep. Mike Defensor, Bong Guerrero, Chef Noel dela Rama, Kim Atienza and Fely Hung, Karen Davila, Anton San Diego, Bev Llorente, Samantha Lopez, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, Cristy Fermin, Johnny Gomez, Love Anover, talent managers Erickson Raymundo, Freddie Bautista, Harley Tan, Henry Quitain, Ronald Monteverde, Ronnie Henares, Tyrone Escalante, Kate Pepito, Pia Magalona, Paula Punla, Rex Belarmino, Rina Reyes, Mau De Leon, Miguel Pacio, Ogie Diaz, Perry Lansigan, Leo Dominguez, Manny Valera, Mario Colmenares, Jojo Amepeloquio, Jonas Gaffud, Joseph Moradas, Kat Aguila, Dingdong Avazado, Jessa Zaragoza-Avanzado, Dudu Ranay, Eric Arroyo, Biboy Arboleda, Brilliant Juan, Chinie Go, Dave Salindog, Atty. James Domingo, Atty. Joji Alonso, Aurora Ada Mendoza, Avel Bacudio, Anthony Pangilinan, Arnee Pangilinan, Arnold Vegafria, William Tan, Abby Niesta, Allan Altera, Annabelle Rama and Annie Mercado, Carol Garcia, Karen Santos, Cultural Center of the Philippines chairwoman Margie Moran Floirendo, Laurie Westfall, Sharm Hiranand, Marianne Po, Roseanne Belmonte, Agnes Huibonhoa, Boy Abunda, Arsi Baltazar, Jojie Dingcong, Rey Lanada, Susan Joven, Michelle Tiangco, Melba Solidum, Carol Garcia, Alice Edurado, Veana Fores, Doris Magsaysay Ho, Margarita Forés, Maricel Soriano, Jon Herrera and Patti Grandidge, DJ Bob and Star Magic handler Monch Novales, Marivic, and former House Secretary-General Atty. Cesar Strait Pareja, Ana de Ocampo, Marissa Tambunting, Maryliz Lirio-Millan, Leah Puyat, Angelette Calero, and Rocio Pantaleon was there, too, as were Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde and daughter Roselle, Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Koko Pimentel, Grace Poe, and Mark Villar, Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde and fashion designers Furne Amato, Michael Cinco, Louis Claparols, Patrice Ramos-Diaz, Rajo Laurel, Joey Samson, and Val Taguba.
The one I attended was at Kai Neo Japanese restaurant, which is owned by power couple Ricco and Tina Ocampo, both longtime friends of Keren. Though this well-appointed establishment with beautiful interiors is over 15 years old, it was my first time there.
Keren reserved the entire indoor dining section for his 17 guests, and the long table with a setting lovingly prepared by Tina was jaw-dropping. Aside from our usual eating group composed of Mr. M (aka Johnny Manahan), Mariole Alberto, Korina Sanchez, Enrico Santos, Law Tan, Joel Mercado, Robina Gokongwei and Roselle Monteverde. Keren invited Bea Alonzo as a surprise guest for Mr. M and Mariole. Though the three of them are in GMA now, it’s been over two years since Bea saw Mr. M and Mariole because of the pandemic. As expected, Bea sat beside them.
Another showbiz friend we were happy to see was Albert Martinez, who at 61 years old, has maintained his youthful looks despite his salt-and-pepper hair. I was so thrilled to have him sit next to me because it gave us a chance to talk about his love for the outdoors. Did you know that he belongs to a group that goes camping every weekend (when his taping schedule allows) using their off-road SUVs to explore the beautiful countryside?
Also joining us was Ces Drilon, who shared colorful stories about the people she features in Bilyonaryo, the TV show she hosts weekly on CNN about the country’s movers and shakers. We also asked about her farm where she grows the herbs and flowers that she uses for her business, @provenciana.naturals. She and Korina swear that using Ces’ smudge sticks help to ward off negative vibes.
Millet Mananquil, lifestyle editor of this newspaper, also joined us. Tita Millet, as I fondly call her, was busy that night taking photos and asking guests their birthday wishes for Keren. Lawyer Tunting Cruz-Matters, who had just arrived from the USA a few nights before, attended the dinner even though she was fighting jetlag. She sat to my right and was so eager to get updates on the latest showbiz gossip.
Though there were many opinions expressed about a broad range of topics that evening, we all agreed that the food prepared by in-house chef Gilbert Pangilinan was delicious. As starters, we were served soft-shell crab, spicy tuna salad served with kropeck, assorted sushis and edamame. This was followed by miso soup with a richer flavor than I’ve ever tasted. For the main course, there was Hamachi collar kabutoni, which was grilled perfectly and was my favorite dish of the evening. This was followed by braised pork belly and large ebi tempura with Japanese fried rice on the side. To end our belly-busting dinner, we had the halo-halo, which is a favorite of Kai’s regulars.
Then came the birthday cake, which was topped with Keren’s signature green plastic toy soldiers. I asked Keren if there was a toy story behind the tiny green men, and his reply was simple and heartfelt. “I just loved toy soldiers growing up,” he said, “and then as I grew older, I started collecting them. And so every birthday of mine, I use them because they remind me of my childhood.”
Aside from the dinner, video greetings from well-wishers:
Cristy Fermin: "Nais ko lang batiin ng isang maligayang kaarawan ang manager nina Enchong Dee, Luke Jickain, Zanjoe Marudo, Joseph Marco, David Chua, Miko Raval, Raphael Robes at Randy See na si tito Keren Pascual, tito Keren happy happy birthday po."
Robi Domingo: Gusto kong sana'y batiin ng maligayang kaarawan ang manager ni Enchong Dee na si Tito Keren Pascual, Tito Keren happy happy birthday.
ENCHONG : Good morning good morning!!! Andito na ko sa taping ng tanging yaman:) gusto ko lang mag shout out ng HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tito KEREN P:) sya ang dahilan kung bakit may blue, epi, ipe, raffy, job, arnel, nico, jojo, paco, jomari, caloy, Fernando, Ethan, Leonel at enchong dee:) at marami pa sa susunod:) in behalf of our family, we wish you more birthdays to come, more success, and sana po wag na wag po kayong magkakasakit:) isa si tito keren na nakilala kong tao na walang hinihinging kapalit kundi maging mabuting tao at maging mas mabuti pa sa ibang tao lalo na sa mga nagmamahal sakin:) kaya long live tito keren:)
Joseph Marco: (From Joseph's IG post last March 13:) "Good morning! I just want to greet my manager Tito Keren Pascual a happy happy birthday, wishing you the best in your friendship, Tito Keren happy birthday"
