An unexpected number in the programme of the 2015 Philippine Tatler Ball made moi cry

This year’s Tatler Ball was my best ball ever! My guardian angels Irene Martel Francisco and Anton San Diego gave moi a tribute that made me feel so honoured, so appreciated, and so loved that I could not help but be teary-eyed.

At the 2007 Tatler Ball, I received the Bon Vivant Award. That almost caught me unaware, but my suspicions were aroused earlier when some friends dropped hints about a surprise coming up for me that evening. This year, however, nada! Everyone was so tight-lipped that I had no inkling of what had been prepared especially for me.

I was actually really watching the programme and Anton’s spiels—I know, that’s not my usual distracted self—when I heard my name mentioned. And then the video followed. Oh my god, great pals saying so many nice words about me: Vicky Zubiri and Cristina Ponce-Enrile through daughter Katrina, Tessa Prieto- Valdes, and my soul mate Alex Van Hagen. But if Tatler will give me another tribute in the future, I can add so many more hilarious anecdotes that happened in my life.

Like that funny story that Alex mentioned—about our trip to Turkey once—which would be more dramatic if I added more details to it. But it has no place in polite conversation so next time you bump into moi, just ask about the Turkey story and the poppy field.

Of course when the photo of when I was young flashed on the screen, I could hear the oohs and aahs from as far back as the Makati Shangri-La Ballroom. Even I was surprised. I had forgotten how good-looking I was! So when Anton called me on stage to say a few words, nervous though I was, I managed to blurt out: “Hey Anton, where did that good-looking guy go?”

Everyone was congratulating me but I remember Dee Hora-Zobel, especially, who told moi: “Maurice, you really deserve that award!”

And because of everything that I have experienced and everyone whom I have met over the years, I did not bat an eyelash and said: “You bet!” N’est-ce pas?