The roof deck of the Swatch & Swatch Center in Makati served as the venue for the 25th birthday party of actor and Swatch endorser Matteo Guidicelli.
The evening started with an eight-course, sit-down dinner for 25, specially prepared by restaurateur Margarita Fores. The highlight of the meal, which included beer-battered fish and chips and Italian desserts, was the grilled beef trio—steaks being the celebrator’s favorite.
Guests sat down at tables with wooden letters that doubled as decor and party tokens. Matteo prepared the cutout letters himself, writing his name and terms of endearment or words of respect for each invitee.
After dinner, everyone descended to the ground floor where a rockeoke party for 300 was set up. The space was designed to look hip, young, energetic and masculine—qualities associated with Matteo.
Bicycles mounted on metal scaffoldings served not just as accent pieces but also as dividers. Trophies dotted the silver walls to represent Matteo’s drive for excellence and numerous achievements in various fields.
A photo wall spelling out the traditional birthday greeting with giant wooden Scrabble tiles was flanked by two larger-than-life Love Game Swatches.
Last question
Billy Crawford welcomed guests with a game, “How well do you know Matteo?” Trivia included Matteo’s first pet (a pig), what he wanted to be when he was 5 years old (a priest), and what his favorite Cebuano specialty is (lechon with puso or wrapped rice).
The last question, however, elicited the loudest, rowdiest reactions. “Who is the love of Matteo’s life?” Billy asked. The answer: Sarah Geronimo.
The popular singer, actress and TV personality surprised Matteo with her performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” which made Matteo teary-eyed.
Sarah coordinated the surprise program with Matteo’s mom, Glenna. Matteo and Sarah attended Sheeran’s concert in Manila last March 12.
Before blowing out the candles on his cake, Matteo sang John Legend’s “All of Me.”
“Alam niyo yung wish ko? Everybody says it’s too show biz, but my wish is more happiness and acceptance,” he said.
Later, Sarah thanked Matteo’s family, friends and Swatch’s Virgie Ramos for welcoming her “with open arms” before turning her full attention to the birthday boy.
“Maraming salamat sa pagmamahal mo. I know that you have a good heart. You are now becoming a man. I pray that you will continue, Lovey, to seek God so that you will become the man that God has planned you to become. OK? OK? Ako man ang makatuluyan mo o hindi, OK? OK? I love you. I love you. I love you very, very much,” she said.
When the applause subsided, the party continued well into the night with rockeoke performances by Matteo’s friends and family.
