Laiilette: 50 Carats (The Actual Birthday Celebration)

Laiilette a.k.a. "Scarlet": "Just turned 50, looks like 40, and feels like 30."

Showbiz luminary Leah Scarnet “Laiilette” Jo Geulen - Boiser, also known by her screen name “Scarlet”, just turned 50 years young(er) last Sunday, an event she’s celebrating with family, relatives and friends. 

According to the “golden girl”, she feels so blessed and she is thankful to God for having received greetings and gifts from family and friends. 

Something unique about that night were the cosplayer-usherettes dressed as angels, Julianne Nina Almiranez Lao and Hannah Samonte, who welcomed and gave alcohol to the guests and facilitated the remembrance signatures.

The gracious sister of the birthday girl, Jesyn Lovette Geulen - Laolao, led the prayers and grace before meals. During dinner, video greetings from well-wishers arranged by Cielo Gabin were flashed which included Christine Manigque - Menguito, New Jersey, USA (friend and neighbor at Soledad); Leo Madanguit, Chicago, Illinois, USA (Holy Spirit School elementary classmate); Michelle Rama, Riverside, California, USA ((HSS elementary and high school  classmate); Ma. Nerissa Virtusio - Clarete, Chula Vista, California, USA (HSS elementary and high school classmate); Veronica Quijada - Manintan, Canada (HSS high school classmate); Gia Galicia, Los Angeles, California, USA (Cebu Doctors’ College classmate); Ricky Inting, Daly City, California, USA (Divine Word College of Tagbilaran – College of Arts and Sciences schoolmate and 1988 Sandugo Re-enactment Group); Margot Recio, Japan (Friend); and Miriam Badayos – Wynn, California, USA (DWCT CAS classmate and friend).

After God, her main source of strength: husband Jade, Mommy Lucila, sister Lovette and family.

A montage of Laiilette’s milestones in photos was presented to the tune of her favorite singer Angela Bofill’s jazzy “Love is in Your Eyes”. 

Adding to the excitement were the messages from Laillette’s showbiz friends - singer Frenchie Dy, actresses Richelle “Rich Asuncion” Angalot - Mudie and Snooky Serna, and Sen. Bong Revilla (Laiilette’s Ultimate Showbiz Crush)

Erstwhile Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe (BLDT) star dancers - twins Maria Florida “Pol” Acuna and Maria Loreta “Loy” Acuna, still superbly graceful even in their 50’s, opened the after-dinner program with Spandau Ballet’s “Gold” dance interpretation (later was “Despacito”) that ushered the entrance of the birthday girl. 

Unexpectedly, Laiilette was teary-eyed when her sister Lovette’s family and her husband, Jade Boiser, presented her with bouquets of flowers. 

The lady of the house and Laiilette’s mother, Ms. Lucila Jo-Geulen, a certified “fashionista”, turned out to be a woman of few words, thanking the guests and well-wishers and then sat to excitedly watch the whole proceeding. 

Thankful to VRS' Leo Udtohan's birthday gift: the first of the 2-part feature with birthday party coordinator and host, Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao - Gabin.

A uniquely cute knee dance number with ‘80s hits background music was performed by “pamangkins” Lovelle, Luzzio, and Luizzi. Kicking off the singing part was Jeanette Ladaga-Uy’s bombastic song and dance number, followed by Gerry Lugod, Allan Caberte, Gay Andoy – Indick, Charisse Mascarinas. 

Suave seasoned host Raul Phillip Gatal was a hit with his Rick Astley song number who also livened up the party with humor. 

The cosplayer-usherettes Julianne Nina Almiranez-Lao and Hannah Samonte in angel costumes with her sister Lovette.

An impromptu rendition of “That’s What Friends Are For” was done by Laiilette, Maria Florida Acuna, Maria Loreta Acuna-Cacho, and Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao – Gabin, her Holy Spirit School Class of 1983 and Divine Word College of Tagbilaran College of Arts and Science classmate, and 1988 Raje Palanca Sandugo Reenactment Theater Guild fellow performer, who prepared and designed the video presentations and coordinated and emceed the program as her birthday gift for Laiilette. 

The technical direction was done by Lovette Geulen – Laolao. 

Other visitors who gave messages were Boy Castillo and Susan Lim. It was, after all, a pandemic 50th birthday to remember.

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