The pillars of Philippine theater are few and precious—at least, the ones from the classically trained generation of pioneers who paved the way for today’s rich Philippine theater scene.

So, when Antonio “Tony” Mabesa—professor of speech and drama at the University of the Philippines, founding artistic director of Dulaang UP (DUP), the university-based theater company, and also a familiar face on television and movies—recently turned 80, alumni of DUP based here and abroad, several generations of artists who had worked with the brilliant and mercurial stage director, used social media to link up, record greetings and plan a surprise party hosted by no less than UP President Alfredo Pascual at the UP Executive House on Jan. 31.

Prof. Alex Cortez and playwright and director Floy Quintos, two of Mabesa’s closest protégés, were tasked with delivering the unsuspecting man of the hour to what looked like a deserted and darkened Executive House.

Cheers and singing erupted, of course, and continued for the rest of the night, when DUP “babies” from different generations and fields—from film directors and stage actors to playwrights, technical and lighting directors, and dancers—all thanked Mabesa for his uncompromising standards.

Dennis Marasigan hosted, and Meynard Peñalosa and Christine Carlos sang, while the likes of Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Nick Pichay, Chito Roño, Paul Morales, Ricci Chan, Sigrid Bernardo and many others reminisced on their experiences working with “Mababes.”

The birthday boy was gifted with a slew of his trademark scarves, draped around his neck like garlands, and during his thank-you speech, also remembered his contemporaries, theater giants all, who had gone ahead.

“Wala na si Bibot (Amador), si Behn (Cervantes), at si Rolando (Tinio),” he said. “Well, at least Onofre Pagsanghan is still around, too!”