What an eventful 71st Golden Globe Awards, and it had nothing to do with “Breaking Bad’s” Bryan Cranston winning his first Globe after five nominations.
Barely two hours before the stream of Hollywood luminaries arrived, a water pipe broke flooding the red carpet. The media was shooed away by the LA Fire Department, and the awards’ publicist prohibited the press from taking pictures or b-rolls of the ugly mess. Minutes later, the water was shut off and men in uniform but with no guns swept, vacuumed and dried the carpet till it was back in near-mint condition.
This year’s Golden Globes is special for us Filipino Americans. Tony Award-winning composer Robert Lopez, who created and co-wrote “The Book of Mormon” and “Avenue Q,” and his wife Kristen Anderson were nominated for Best Original Song “Let It Go” from the animated feature film “Frozen,” also nominated for Best Animated Feature Film.
“It’s incredible, I know that there aren’t that many Filipino American composers out there,” Manhattan native told me when I sought him out for comments. “But I know there’s a lot of them who are talented enough to be. For them who’d see me and Kristen and realize that they can do it too, that would mean a lot to me.” Robert said he had no expectations, and they are just having “so much fun.”
But Robert and Kristen talked about the song they had written.
“The song is called “Let It Go” and it’s sung by Idina Menzel. The song just seem to have caught fire with everyone that has seen it. We’ve seen it on YouTube, there’s all this different versions of people singing it in their living rooms, people’s kids. People keep forwarding us videos of rooms full of children dancing and singing to the song,” said Robert, looking dapper in a Ralph Lauren tux.
“I think it’s a combination of the beautiful animation,” added Kristen. “Idina’s incredible voice. A story, character that really connects with people. I think everyone has some fear or shame holding them back from being as special as they can be. I think the idea of breaking free from that is something joyful to sing about.”
Unfortunately, “Ordinary Love” by U2 and Danger Mouse won Original Song. It provided scoring to “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”
Three of our Hollywood designers – Monique Lhuillier, Alan del Rosario and David Tupaz — graced the red carpet once again through their stunning collections. Alan, a native of Cebu dressed up former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner, now a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. His list of A-list clientele are Michele Pfeiffer,
Debra Messing, Paris Hilton, Drew Barrymore, Lea Michelle, among others.
Debra Messing, Paris Hilton, Drew Barrymore, Lea Michelle, among others.
Alan said Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco (whose clients include Tyra Banks, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga) was set to dress
HFPA member Janet Nepales. “But unfortunately Janet’s gown got caught in the mail.”
“Last minute, I was making a dress for Janet but we never had time to do a fitting,” recalled Alan. “But tonight she’s wearing a nice creation by Francis Libiran from the Philippines.” Libiran skyrocketed to fame when Megan Young won the Miss World 2013 competition. Her victory dress was made by Libiran.
Alan said she’s “rooting” for Meryl Streep. “For me I think the award is not only based on the movie that they’re nominated for but also an accumulation of the works that these actors have done in the past.”
He said Ruben and Janet Nepales “have become such an amazing people in my life. They’re so generous. They’re like family. I love them.”
David for his part said, “it was gracious for Ruben and Janet to invite him to the awards show once again. They’re one of my very good friends. It’s always a thrill to get this kind of invitation.”
“Ruben and Janet are some of the most brilliant people that I’ve ever met not only for their professionalism and their expertise in journalism but also the way they conduct in bringing a good image of the Filipinos in mainstream media. They’re an asset to the Filipino Americans.”
Couturier David Tupaz is based in Las Vegas. His clients include Julia Roberts, Etta James, Bo Derek, the Kardashians and former first lady Imelda Marcos.
When asked if there were any celebrities wearing his gowns for the Globes, he said laughing, “No! And you know why? Because I stopped that lending part. I only dress up the people who buy or pay for the dress.”
FilAm TV producer and host Luisa Marshall flew in from Canada to attend the Globes for the first time. She wanted to meet Matthew McConaughey.
“I hope I’ll make it the whole evening. I look forward to the awards ceremony and the parties especially meeting my favorite actors in Hollywood,” she said.
On Ruben and Janet, she said: “They are role models for all Filipinos all over the world. I’ve met them many, many years ago. Ruben and I were classmates at University of Santo Tomas back in college. I tell you, never in my dreams thought that Ruben would become chairman of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Do you know that Ruben was such a quiet guy back in college days. He would not even talk to me. Probably because he knows I’m trouble. Ruben and Janet are the most humble couple in the whole wide world.”
Meanwhile, my spot on the red carpet this year is quite challenging. Across from me are the booths of Entertainment Live and Extra — two of the major showbiz news outlets. What that means is chaos and security nightmares. God knows the number of entourage these celebrities have!
I am doing work for both Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Bulletin’s “All Access Live” TV. My first time to do both print and live. I thought at first it’s cool to do the two at the same time. I was wrong. It was the most tedious and nerve wracking experience. But just the same I have Ruben and Janet to thank for the opportunity.
I am from New York and I am supposed to be immune to the “hustle and bustle” of crowds, but this year’s event was overwhelming. I have a cameraman who wanted to be in control of the interview. And I would constantly remind him that the publicists have the final say and I just don’t wanna fight with them.
Anyhow, one of my coolest TV interviews and chance encounters at the carpet this year are with “Candelabra’s” Michael Douglas, Michael J. Fox who’s nominated for Best Actor in a TV Series, Best Actress nominee Cate Blanchet for “Blue Jasmine” and Bruce Dern, best actor nominee, “Nebraska.” All this and more at Janet Nepales’ All Access TV coverage of the Globes.
