Why Not by Leah Puyat: The star behind the stars

Long before Cory Valenzuela Vidanes was Tita Cory, ABS-CBN channel head and confidant to the stars, I knew her as the quiet cousin of my sister-in-law Nina Daza Puyat. Nina herself is quite chatty and her cousin and matchmaker Pat-P Daza could put a megaphone to shame, and whenever there would be children's parties or intimate birthday gatherings, I would wonder if Cory ever got a word in. I do remember that every time there would be showbiz controversies, even if Nina and Pat-P would make her kulit, she was always very protective of her stars.

While we were in college, my best friend Angelette Calero and I worked as production assistants in ABS. Cory was a very dedicated and extremely hardworking producer and it seemed as if she never ever went home. Whenever we would be in the studio or the production office, she would be either rushing to a meeting or busy at her desk.

Of course, she is even busier now, so her birthday celebration at Buddha Bar was a wonderful chance to relax and party. A few weeks ago, I ran into fashion designer Paul Cabral, window shopping in Univers Homme et Femme. He confessed that he was looking for a present for Cory. "Pero, alam mo naman, ayaw niya ng anything maarte."

Yes, whether it is how she dresses or how she talks, she is not loud. But she can definitely be heard. And she always makes you feel that she is listening to you.