Baby A.’s baby takes a bride

If somebody, anybody, was absent at that grand event last Oct. 19 at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati, it was not conspicuous. How could it be with the presence of the brightest names in Philippine politics/government, led by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?

In that A-list event, Rose Marie "Baby" Arenas’ favorite baby, the dashing London-educated Robert "Bing" Arenas, took his long-time partner Kristine Ochoa (sister of actor Dominic Ochoa) for his wife, with five celebrants officiating (Bishop Soc Villegas, Rev. Father Antonio Rosales, Rev. Father Rector Horacio Rodriguez, Rev. Father Boyd Sulpicio and Rev. Father Larry Tamoan).

PGMA headed the glittering array of principal sponsors, described by Baby A. as "power-packed." Indeed.

The groom’s mom nearly stole the show. As usual, she was the epitome of elegance and sophistication in an ecru ensemble original by Ramon Valera but exquisitely refreshed by Paul Cabral.

The bride and the groom wore Aureo Alonzo creations.

Leo Valdez, Baby A.’s bosom buddy, sang at the Mass and so did The Madrigal Singers.

The reception at the ballroom of Mandarin Oriental Manila was held under a canopy of white draping and elegant pink-to-fuchsia roses and rare lilies from Ecuador, arranged by the hotel’s flower shop, with matching silk runners tied with chantilly lace. The well-heeled guests/well-wishers blended beautifully with the ambience that can be described only as "super!"

Kristine’s parents, Boy and Marilou Ochoa, helped Baby A. attend to the guests who dined on a special menu meticulously prepared by the hotel chef: Parma Ham with Melon and Mesclun Salad tossed in raspberry dressing, Cream of Asparagus with smoked salmon and herb bruschetta, Pan-Fried Chilean Seabass on asparagus spears in clam sauce, Pink Champagne Sherbet, Roast Rib Eye of Beef with black peppercorn sauce gratin potatoes and roast vegetables, and Dark and White Chocolate Terrine on Pangasinan dried mango compote with rum raisin ice cream.

Strains from Jay Cayuca’s violin made the reception even more romantic.

The whole thing was supposed to be, uh, "low key." But with Baby A. at its helm, calling the shots, how could it be?

* * *

E-mail reactions at [email protected]