PRIVATE PARTY? was the only sign at the ballroom entrance of Manila Mandarin. That low-key. But the place was filled with powerful public servants, family and friends of beautiful and bejeweled Gigi Gonzales Reyes.

It was a surprise birthday party for her glorious mom, Glo Gonzales, a pillar in Philippine education. At 8 p.m., ?Mommy? Glo Gonzales was ushered into the ballroom fragrant with tube roses and peonies. She shed copious tears upon finding out her family went to great lengths to make her day unforgettable.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Loren Legarda led the VIPs of the evening. Several Supreme Court Justices, old friends from media (Gloria is the widow of the late Bulletin editor Pat Gonzales and has remarried) and Manila?s crème de la crème made the ballroom very cozy.

Great cuisine from the Mandarin, ballroom dancers, musical numbers and good old table conversation contributed to the birthday celebration of a very special lady.