Celia and the Singing Laurels
It must be in the genes. The Grand Old Man, Senator Jose P. Laurel, played the violin; many of his sons, among them “Doy” sang. Cocoy, son of Doy and Celia, led the huge Laurel clan in wishing Celia a happy birthday in song.
Cocoy in his usual manner set listeners on fire with his dramatic intensity and passion, highlighting and stressing the lyrics with startling fortissimo or exquisite pianissimo passages. The compleat artist – painter, actor, dancer, singer, Cocoy had the audience in Sydney giving him a prolonged, standing ovation for his role as The Engineer in “Miss Saigon”.
At his mother ’ s birthday celebration, Cocoy was momentarily joined by Spanish family friend Alfredo Roca, and later, by sisters, nieces, nephews, with Iwi as production manager. When Ricky Laurel sang, his mother Lorna whispered to me, “He only sings in the shower.” Yet, he was wonderful! Franco Laurel and Princess Asensio also shone. Jose Marie Delgado, husband of Susie Laurel, was terrific on the drums.
Although vastly entertaining, there was something terribly wrong with the program; it did not have Cocoy singing more songs!
Venue, the “Nine Spoons” restaurant in the Bay Leaf Hotel beside the Lyceum U., was named after the nine children of Lorna and Senator Sotero Laurel. Their son Roberto, Lyceum U. president, honored Celia with his presence, as did Cecilia’s classmate at the UP College of Fine Arts where Celia studied painting, passing on her talent to Cocoy.
Years later, besides acting, Celia designed sets and costumes for Repertory Philippines.
Truly fulfilled, a remarkable achiever, celebrant Celia sat back that evening to be entertained.