Self-professed “Stage Ninong,” Frank Briones, put together a Safari-themed baby shower for his best friend, Cristalle Belo-Pitt last Saturday.

“The less she knew, the greater the impact. True enough, it excited her... it made her laugh... and it made her cry. Mission accomplished!” said Briones, of the beaming first-time mother-to-be, who, though aware of the where and when, had no clue whatsoever of the what and who.

Held at the Shangri-La at the Fort, the Pavilion 3 & 4 was transformed into a lush and tropical haven heaving with wild four-legged mammalia, the colourful feathered kind, and slithery reptilia. For this spot-on execution, Briones partnered with Eventique Manila.

Joining the sunny yellow Vania Romoff-clad mamma-to-be (who is due in July), and gal pals were hubby, Justin Pitt, brother Quark Henares, along with some very enthusiastic and gung-ho guys who enjoyed getting in on the girlie games like Guess The Celebrity Baby and Guess My Belly Size.

A lovely surprise that had Cristalle in tears was a spectacular performance by rising star, KZ Tandingan, who sang her own original rendition of The Lion King’s Can You Feel The Love Tonight. A fun and very entertaining element were the tribal-looking percussionists that got all the guests on their feet (and help work off the dessert calories).

An African mountain-worth of candies and desserts were enjoyed by all, as well as the special handmade rolled ice cream form Thailand’s R-Freezy. No less than Rhoda Campos-Aldanese’s Villa Del Conte chocolates went home with all of Baby Pitt’s happy Titos and Titas.