Reflections on the Golden Globes

Rocio Nuyda, Alan del Rosario, Carlyn Nuyda Calloway and Yong Chavez

"Creative energy manifests in the 'aura' of the environment – the distinct atmosphere, quality and 'air of the place.'  It has a contagious effect on people. When we walk into the environment, we know immediately whether or not the energy is present.  Most of us need communities as sources of motivation and vitality; and in keeping with the basic movements of energy in nature, people charge one another in positive and negative ways." - Shaun McNiff

 

I have dreamt for years to be with the stars, to see up close their creative energies. It was a dream that I nurtured within me from watching movies in Quiapo with my dad, Eleazar and afterwards, a treat of siopao and mami at Ma Mon Luk.  Movies and films stood for warm hugs from him. 

Then, I met the magnanimous Nepales couple, Ruben and Janet who are both members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.  They made my dream to attend the Golden Globes come true.  I was so excited to attend the 68th Golden Globes awards as it came right after my firstborn’s wedding. That one weekend gave me two once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. 

 

I walked the red carpet. On one side was an array of television cameramen and women from around the world: Germany, France, Philippines, Japan, China and more.  

Philip Berk described how productive Hollywood Foreign Press Association was. “We gave over a million and a half dollars to film schools…attended over 170 press conferences and interviewing no less than 400 actors, directors, and a screenwriter, …on behalf of 83 members writing for over 100 publications.” It was bustling with activity -- move here, move there, stop here, pose there.  All had high-wattage smiles. The fans on the bleachers were non-stop in their screams as stars walked the red carpet.

 

Fashion and spirituality

Inside the ballroom, I was seated next to Alan Del Rosario, a fashion designer with a medium-sized thriving business that supplies major retail stores in Los Angeles.  He will soon have 12 original designs for a major store which is opening a new bridal line.  

To see Fil-American designers thrive in Los Angeles is heartwarming -- the likes of Amber Riley wearing an Oliver Tolentino gown,  Catherine Zeta-Jones donning a Monique Lhuillier creation and Janet Nepales clad in an original by Carlyn Nuyda Calloway of Thumbelina.

 

Alan and I talked about fashion and spirituality. He said that the overall fashion look is a combination of 70% designer and 30% wearer.  He pointed to Margaret Gardiner, former Miss Universe, who wore an original Alan del Rosario gown.  She had one fitting and the rest is Va-voom, as she wore her gown with attitude. I told Alan that I saw that too, in Janet, who wore the Thumbelina gown just like a beautiful mermaid.  

 

Margaret Gardiner, former Miss Universe, with the author

My magnanimous hosts/journalists member of the prestigious Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Ruben Nepales and his hot fox wife, whom he fell in love again, Janet Nepales, wearing a Thumbelina original by Carlyn Nuyda Calloway.

He shared that he does not give Christmas gifts as they take over the spirituality of Christmas.  I told him that I do the same, I give spontaneous gifts all throughout the year, but not on Christmas. I did Simbang Gabi novena masses and month-long services to friends or family -- chauffering them to where they want to go or doing errands for them.  He smiled, he said he does the same, gifting his nephews all year long, except on Christmas when he wants the birth of Jesus to be the true focus. 

 

Graciousness found everywhere

As the awards went on, I was thrilled to see the movie stars up close.  They, too, were as excited to see their friends.  I got to see Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Robert de Niro, Jane Fonda, Matt Damon, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hanks, Tina Fey, to name a few.  Angelina was not just beautiful to behold, but she was gracious in stopping for photos and conversations.

 

Graciousness embodied our hosts, Janet and Ruben Nepales. They were so thoughtful in making sure all our needs were taken cared of, even as they worked on the red carpet and still had to turn in their stories before the deadline. They made sure that the eight of us were always together, as we hopped to five parties. 

 

Our first stop was Sony’s, where we saw Jane Fonda, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jane Lynch.  They were quite gracious in posing with and for us.  The next stop was Fox, then In Style/Warner where most folks were dancing.  It was crowded, yet the Nepales couple held part of the crowd to show us all a good cha-cha dance.  Janet then danced with Harry Shum, Jr. of Glee, and the crowd stopped to watch them gleefully groove.  

Robert de Niro getting the lifetime achievement award, presented by Matt Damon

Olivia Wilde

Brad Pitt next to his muse, Angelina Jolie ( barely shown )

We spotted Paris Hilton at the Weinstein party. She graciously stopped and posed with Janet, Rocio and Carlyn.  By the time we got to the HBO party, it was time to say goodnight.  

InStyle/Warner party had a wall décor made of Godiva chocolates. Eye candy galore greeted us -- truffles, dessert chocolates and chocolate covered red velvet and cheesecake.  But because we were immersed in the moment, the call for decadent indulgence did not prevail. At most a truffle each, we walked through.  

HBO Golden Globes Party with the best theme decor

We could still remember what Carlyn said in jest, “ Don’t worry Tito Ruben, we will not take home the centerpieces of long-stemmed red roses and we will use our forks and spoons and not eat with our hands." We chuckled all night long as our soles got weary. 

Towards the end, we walked barefoot on the red carpet to savor the moments some more from that fine evening when we were with the stars. We soaked up on their creative, positive energies!