MANILA, Philippines — In true Imeldific fashion, she glided down a red carpet, surrounded by little girls in white dresses carrying bouquets of roses and trailed by tuxedo-wearing violin and flute players who rendered her favorite love song.

In a frantic, fuchsia terno designed by Oliver Tolentino, former First Lady Imelda Marcos celebrated her 80th birthday on Thursday amid glittering confetti and fireworks at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s Grand Ballroom.

In the midst of the extravagant celebration, Imelda asked family and some 1,000 well-wishers: “Let us all observe a minute of silence and pray for the healing and restoration of the health of former President Cory Aquino.”

Every seat in the Grand Ballroom was taken. The guest of honor was Indonesian former First Lady Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno, who wore an emerald pendant the size of a compact mirror with matching earrings the size of mahjong tiles.

You’re not invited

What kept everyone buzzing before Imelda’s grand entrance, was the story of Sukarno spending time in a US jail for slashing the face of Philippine socialite Minnie Osmeña with a broken goblet in Aspen, Colorado, a few decades ago. About the same time, Imelda was acquitted by US federal court in Manhattan.

Imelda and Sukarno reportedly celebrated their freedom at the penthouse of arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. The invitation to the party read, “If you’re not indicted, you’re not invited.” Leona Helmsley, the billionaire New York hotel owner convicted of federal income tax invasion and newly divorced Ivana Trump also attended that victory celebration.

Society standouts

Celebrating with Imelda were society standouts: Dr. Venia Javellana, dermatologist to the Old Guard, whose best client is Gretchen Oppen Cojuangco (wife of businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco); Camille Villar (the only daughter of Sen. Manny Villar and Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar) who wore diamonds; Lulu Tinio who was in sapphires; Sonia Mathay in rubies; Fortune Ledesma in platinum jewelry; and Baby Arenas who came in blue pearls.

Forever Blue

Forever Blue Ladies and loyalists Ising Madrigal, Baby Cruz, Techie Cristobal and Lolita Mirpuri smiled and flirted with Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson, Marcos information minister and former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad and former National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jess Tanchangco.

Presidential wannabes Bayani Fernando and Gordon admired actress Isabel Rivas and fashion magazine editor Carla Sibal. There were half-a-dozen former Supreme Court justices and two dozen Con-ass (constituent assembly) voting congressmen.

Showbiz, fashion, PR

Radio and TV personality German Moreno was there. So was senior couturier Pitoy Moreno, who extolled Imelda’s love and devotion for wearing the butterfly-sleeved terno. “It was the best thing for the country,” he said. “It also put us in the radar of world politics.”

Public relations king Louie Cruz couldn’t stop gushing about Imelda’s entrance. “Wow, she always knows how to make a grand entrance,” he said.

The Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao gave a stirring speech: “With Imelda’s historic visit to Chairman Mao in the ’70s, she broke through the ‘bamboo curtain.’ She built a hotel that still stands in Shanghai today. Philippine Airlines started to have direct daily flight from Manila to Beijing. Imelda sent a signal to the other world governments and economic heavyweights to start investing, trading and exporting to China. She started what China is today. ”

Video presentation

This was followed with a video presentation of testimonies from her grandchildren. Prepared by Imelda’s eldest child, Imee Marcos, the most touching words were from Simon, Sandro and Vincent, the three sons of Rep. Bonget Marcos and wife Liza Araneta Marcos.

Speaking with veddy British accents, they said: “It was lola (grandmother) who taught us how to appreciate beauty in everything. Lola taught us how to pray and thank God every day. She instilled in us the importance of respect to our country’s elders, traditions and cultures. Many people still think our grandmother is crazy or bad. If you only know how malambing (affectionate) and loving and generous she is to her whole family and our country.”

Imelda’s second daughter, Irene Araneta, so pretty in a chartreuse piña outfit by Pepito Albert, was with sons Alfonso and Luis, a dead ringer for the young Ferdinand Marcos.

Applauding the video presentation were two of Imee’s sons, Mike and Borgy Manotoc, who refused to be photographed.

Imelda’s only son, Bonget, who spoke and joked just like his father, said: “I think there’s a mistake in the décor tonight. Look at my smiling Mommy—she doesn’t look 80 at all. She is the glue of our family, who keeps us all in check. It is this mother’s love that helped us survive and find happiness through laughter and sharing. And you know what? She might outlive us all.”

Nonstop singing, eating

It was a night of nonstop singing with performances from loyalists Victor Wood, Anthony Costelo, Dulce and even Imelda Papin, who sang via satellite from Las Vegas, USA.

There was also nonstop eating. From the Romblon Room to the seawall fronting Manila Bay, buffet tables groaned under the weight of calorific roasted calf, lamb, beef, turkey and chicken.

Cuisine from Japan, Greece, China, India, America and of course, Filipino, satiated every whim and appetite. Giant tuna, innumerable oysters, salads of every nation fed even the drivers, bodyguards and helpers of the mostly swellegant, octogenarian set. There were a dozen desserts and they were refilled every hour on the hour.

The French-owned Sofitel Hotel, which Imelda first built for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) confab in the ’70s, sponsored the whole affair.

No booze

No booze was served. Freshly squeezed juices, soft drinks and agua con hielo (iced water) with lemon slices—which Don Ado Escudero and I had with Splenda—flowed like a colorful river till the last guest left at 3 a.m.

Of course, Imelda sang near midnight: a Chinese folk song, a Visayan lullaby and her swan song, “Gaano Kita Kamahal.”

But it was Imelda’s short speech that was the last word in truth and jest. “I had the best, best, best life. I had the worst, worst, worst life,” she said.

Laughter, cheers and a standing ovation ushered in her birthday cake from family friend, Vic Magsaysay, who surprised her with a bag full of chocolate gold bars.

Marcos gold

Imelda blew out her many tiny candles and then breathlessly exclaimed: “Tingnan ninyo (You see), here is the Marcos gold you are all looking for.”

It would seem she has a self-deprecating sense of humor, a smile from the heart and grace under pressure when meeting her every appointment with destiny.

Just like greeting life at 80. With a report from Associated Press