Vandolf takes a bride

So it’s spelled Vandolf and not Vandolph, which was I thought all these years. This I discovered only last Saturday when Vandolph — oops, Vandolf — handed me an invitation to his wedding.

Yes, Vandolf is getting married — to Jenny Salimao — on Dec. 3 (it’s a Monday), 3 p.m. at the Notre Dame Devi Chapelle of the Fernbrook Gardens Portifino in South Daang Reyna in Las Piñas.

The wedding invitation is most colorful. When you open it, there are pop-up characters in the images of Jenny waving from a carriage (like the one used by Cinderella to the ball) and Vandolf pulling it — like those rickshaw drivers in old Hong Kong.

And through this wedding invitation, I made another discovery. That the Christian name of Alma Moreno is actually Venesa and not Vanessa, which was how I would call her sometimes (now I’m having doubts about my knowledge of showbiz trivia). There she is billed in the invitation as Hon. Coun. Venesa L. Moreno-Marquez. Below her name is that of the groom’s father — Mr. Rodolfo Quizon (Dolphy to you and me, of course). Opposite are the names of Jenny’s parents: Eugenio and Ludivina Salimao.

Standing as Vandolf’s best man is Manuel Quizon — actually, Boy II, Vandolf’s nephew and best friend. Maid of honor is Sheena Lyn Bonwel.

Candle sponsors are Vandolf’s half-brother Mark Anthony Fernandez (whose son, Grace Cameron, is Bible bearer) and Jenerose Salimao. Cord sponsors are another half-brother Charles Yeoj Marquez and Sofia Robles-Quizon. Veil sponsors are Alvin Quizon and Salud Quizon.

The list of principal sponsors is long. Take out your abacus (if you kept one from the old days) and start counting now:

Hon. Senator Manny Villar — Hon. Senator Loren Legarda

Mr. Al Quinn — Ms. Susan Roces

Hon. Mayor Alfredo S. Lim — Ms. Pilita Corrales

Hon Mayor Florencio Bernabe — Ms. Maricel Soriano

Mr. Gabby Lopez — Ms. Kris Aquino

Hon. Mayor Jejomar Binay — Ms. Marivin Arayata

Atty. Roy Almoro — Hon. Congresswoman Mary Mitzi Cajayon

Mr. Alex Cruz — Ms. Nene Riego

Dr. Manny Calayan — Ms. Joy Lim

Mr. Al de Veyra — Mrs. Joy Myra Tambunting

Hon. Senator Jinggoy Estrada — Ms. Lorna Tolentino

Hon. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero — Ms. Wilma Galvante

Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista — Ms. Annie Laceda

Mr. Edwin F. Uy — Ms. Nova Villa

Mr. Tony Tuviera — Mrs. Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan

Mr. Bing Tecson — Mrs. Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach

Mr. Rod Ongpauco — Ms. Kitchie Benedicto

Mr. Eduardo Carlos — Ms. Marivic Almeira

Hadji Nasser “Bobby” Ramos — Ms. Linggit Tan

Hon Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno — Ms. Lyn Tamayo

Mr. Joey Marquez — Mrs. Milagros Hizon Roasa

Mr. Jose Mari Chan — Ms. Cristy Fermin

Mr. Roldeo Endrinal — Ms. Lucy Torres-Gomez

Mr. Ricky Reyes — Ms. Geleen Eugenio

Mr. Antonio Antonio — Ms. Cristina Bonwel

Mr. Bernardito C. Ang — Mrs. Imelda Aguilar.

During the 12th anniversary presentation of Startalk last Saturday, we prepared a special segment for Vandolf and Jenny — complete with messages from their loved ones. Unfortunately, it was only Vandolf who was able to make it to the studio because Jenny was having a difficult time dealing with her monthly visitor.

I couldn’t believe that Vandolf is getting married. I knew him as a kid. And now he’s 23 and a groom-to-be.

I’m just happy that he’s finally settling down. Six years ago, he figured in a horrible vehicular accident (on a trip up north) that claimed the life of his girlfriend. I got to meet the parents of the girl and condoled with them. They were grief-stricken and had a difficult time coping with the loss of a beloved. But equally devastated, if not more so, was Vandolf, who was in terrible shape.

One life may have been lost (it must have been in His divine plan), but at least, another was able to move on. And with this union with Jenny, Vandolf, who, not so long ago, was hopelessly broken, will once again be whole.