A showbiz-y non-showbiz wedding

Giancarlo Jose Sotto, only son of former Sen. Vicente Sotto and ’80s movie queen Helen Gamboa, wed his long-time companion Joy Marie Woolbright, daughter of Shonie Ducante-Woolbright and the late Eddie Woolbright of Cebu, at fashionable rites solemnized last Nov. 29 at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati. Dinner reception followed at the Le Pavilion in Metropolitan Park, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

The nuptial Mass was officiated by Fr. Baltazar Otico. The wedding is the culmination of a seven-year relationship that has been blessed with an adorable two-year-old son named Vicente "Hugo" Sotto IV. The bride’s gown was designed by Jesus Lloren while the groom’s updated tuxedo was by Randy Ortiz.

The power roster of principal sponsors included former President Joseph Estrada (proxied by son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada), Sen. Frank Drilon, former senators Loren Legarda and Tessie Oreta, Secretary Leandro Mendoza, ABS-CBN lady boss Charo Santos-Concio, TAPE president Tony Tuviera, film producer Lily Monteverde, Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier (proxied by son Jean Henri), Cebu City Mayor Tommy and Margot Osmeña, Mayor Edmundo and Clarita Buencamino, Celestino Jr. and Rep. Clavel Martinez, the groom’s uncle Vic Sotto, former senatorial spouses Evelyn Jaworski and Jane Honasan, prominent Cebu couple Jesus and Rosebud Sala, Vernon Gamboa, Jose Teofilo Mercado, Dioscoro de Leon, Ricardo Fernandez, Natividad Cheng, Pacita Lapradez, Remedios de Leon and Lanie Najarro.

Big name showbiz personalities who were in the entourage were the groom’s sister-actress Ciara Sotto and his cousins, Megastar Sharon Cuneta and actor Oyo Sotto. Man-of-honor and ring bearer was the newlyweds’ son Hugo. Maids-of-honor were Mary Karen Woolbright and Audrey Najarro. Best men were Vince de Leon, Patrick Meneses and Chris Torres, while matrons-of-honor were QC Councilor Lala Sotto-de Leon and Alice Woolbright-Fernandez.

The dinner reception at Le Pavilion was equally star-studded, with VIPs from government and showbusiness. Noted were Senate President Manny Villar, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Loi Ejercito Estrada, Ed Angara and former Sen. Robert Jaworski, director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and wife Bibeth Orteza, TV host Pia Guanio, Eat Bulaga! producer Malou Choa-Fagar, Joey de Leon and wife Eileen, Danica Sotto and boyfriend Marc Pingris and Nikki Valdez. Skipping the reception but present at the church rites were Susan Roces and Dulce Lukban (with hairstyling icon Nomer Pabilona).

The Strings Minstrels and the talented band 92 A.D. composed of young Ateneans performed at the rites and the reception. The fabulous floral settings were created by Jun Hen while the seamless wedding coordination was done by Rita Neri’s The Wedding Store. The sumptuous buffet was catered by Billy King’s The French Corner. The towering six-feet fondant cake was done by Penk Ching of The Pastry Bin. – DCR