Two weddings and a resignation

For Startalk to be able to cover live the wedding last Saturday of Andrea Bautista to Dr. Jun-Jun Ynares, the Manila Cathedral first required the show’s staff to undergo a seminar on what to do and what not to do within the church vicinity.

While some members of the staff were initially reluctant to attend the seminar that was held a day before the wedding, everyone eventually realized the importance of that briefing conducted by the Manila Cathedral people especially during the actual event.

Security was tight and those who didn’t have any business inside the Cathedral were denied entry. As a result, everything was orderly and systematic.

Unlike during the Manila Cathedral wedding of Sharon Cuneta to Gabby Concepcion and Imelda Papin to Bong Carreon, which were both marred by an odd assortment of fans and kibitzers, Andrea was able to walk down the aisle wearing a Paul Cabral bridal masterpiece of Mikado silk and a five-meter train with intricate hand embroidery on piña.

Paul Cabral, a very good friend of Andrea, made a solemn pledge during the wedding preparations that he will transform Andrea Bautista into the most beautiful bride ever. Here, I’d like to say that Paul Cabral succeeded in his mission because of the many brides I’ve seen in my life, Andrea is among the most beautiful.

Actually, with or without the Paul Cabral gown, Andrea or Andeng to us, had always been one of the loveliest in the business. Her beauty actually comes from her simplicity – and a good heart that endears her to everyone in the entertainment industry.

Andrea and I were never close, but there was a time when we would text each other and I thought she was really the sweetest. When she married a good man like Dr. Jun-Jun Ynares in a grand Cathedral wedding last Saturday, everybody was just so happy for her. It was indeed a beautiful wedding–elegant in its simplicity. And with the 48-piece San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir providing music in the background, I felt like I just died and woke up in heaven.

But it was hell for me leaving the Manila Cathedral going back to Quezon City. Remember how in my last column I told you about my horrible experience getting to the Cathedral because my driver toured me around Quiapo at its worst traffic twice?

Well, after seeing Andrea Bautista wed Jun-Jun Ynares at the Manila Cathedral, I still had to attend another wedding–Marites Badilla’s (Bessie’s youngest sister) to Mike Mariano in Fernwoods near Visayas Ave.

In order for us not to get lost again on our way back to Quezon City, I asked Startalk staff member Oswald Go and makeup artist Ernal Forte to ride with us until GMA 7. Good decision – because without Oswald patiently giving my driver direction at every step (and I swear every step and turn), we would have ended up in Alabang.

Unfortunately, after we dropped off Oswald and Ernal in GMA 7, my driver and I were again on our own. At least, I was able to guide him how to get to Visayas Ave. From the Channel 4 compound, I told my driver that I was leaving it up to him – after all it was he who went over the sketch provided by Marites and Mike and he had a whole week (a long whole week) to study it.

But the minute we went inside one of those subdivisions off Visayas Ave., my driver started scratching his head and as expected got hopelessly lost behind the wheel. I asked him to give me the sketch so that I could guide him or perhaps even take over behind the wheel. He said he left the map at home. Ordinarily I would have gotten angry. But I couldn’t even get angry that time because I was just feeling numb all over.

While we got lost deeper and deeper in those dark streets near Visayas Ave., I started recalling in my head those seven years this driver of mine was under my employ. I remember those times I would go to the US embassy and get edgy not because I was worried about having problems with my visa, but because I knew in my heart that we would get lost getting to Roxas Blvd. – and we did… many times.

And then there was the time when we had to shoot a GMA Kapuso omnibus plug at the Alabang Town Center and had trouble getting back to Quezon City. Startalk staff member Belinda Felix was with us that time and the two of us were engaged in animated conversation when we realized that we were in a direction in the middle of South Superhighway that was headed for Batangas.

Oh there are so many anecdotes – all funny when you recall each one now but certainly are far from amusing at the time it was actually happening because I would always end up a wreck by the time I reach my destination.

When my driver sensed that I was quiet and had calmed down in the passenger seat, he took this as an opportunity to finally resign –as in right that very minute. He quietly got off the car and I took over behind the wheel. No goodbyes. Only good riddance
– probably from his end and definitely from mine.

In eight minutes, I found Fernwoods. I missed the wedding march though, but I was still able to complete the anticipated Mass.

All that hassle of getting to Fernwoods actually disappeared when I saw Bessie. Her family was complete. Husband Bambi del Castillo was principal sponsor and their three girls –Isabel, Blanca and Inez – were all part of the entourage. There were the other Badilla siblings, too, of course: Sonny, Rene, Billy, Lynn and Bing. (Brother-in-law Ronnie Magsanoc couldn’t be there because he had an out-of-town game.)

Since this affair wasn’t work-related (unlike the wedding of Andrea and Jun-Jun that I had to cover for Startalk), and the Badillas are like family to me, I was finally able to relax and also felt relieved that it was my driver who quit and I didn’t have to fire him.

I enjoyed myself even more when Richard Merk, another one of Bessie’s dear friends, provided entertainment during the reception. (Trust Merk to always bring the house down with his songs and humor.) Even the food was heavenly – simple dishes really, but very, very appetizing and tasty.

The merriment was still ongoing when I decided to excuse myself to go to another appointment. On my way to the parking area, I remember I didn’t have a driver anymore. I looked at all the parked cars and saw a group of drivers talking among themselves. Hmmm. Maybe I can pirate one of them. Then I thought to myself: If I was going to do something that nasty, I might as well go big-time and go for the driver of the bridal car no less!

It then later dawned on me that the bride didn’t come in a car, but in a horse-drawn caruaje – and the one that I was actually pirating was a cochero!

Oh well, with the rising prices of gasoline (still expensive in spite of the rollback), maybe I should consider getting a horse and a carriage. I already have a cochero on standby.