It's pamanhikan time for Sen. Mar

“This is it!”

And there’s no turning back.

You can’t blame Sen. Mar Roxas for gushing in an exclusive talk with Funfare about his forthcoming marriage to Korina Sanchez.

“Well, we’re in love,” said Korina, “and there’s no stopping that.”

So tomorrow (June 14) night, the lover boy will do the traditional pamanhikan (asking for the hand in marriage) at Korina’s home in Merville Park, Parañaque City.

The couple’s wedding plans were confirmed by Funfare in a “scoop” in early April. A few days after the story came out, Mar would have confirmed it in a presscon which had to be scrapped in deference to Korina’s dzMM’s Failon at Sanchez co-host Ted Failon whose wife Trina Etong was found dead (a confirmed suicide).

Three weeks later, Mar and Korina guested on Wowowee to finally confirm the Funfare “scoop,” holding hands as they did so, much to the kilig of televiewers who need just that kind of feel-good love story in economically-challenging times like this.

There’s no date for the wedding yet but it will definitely happen before end of this year.

Assured Korina, “We won’t keep it a secret. Mar is a publicly-elected official as the No. 1 Senator in 2004. And my work as a journalist has kept me very much in touch with the masa. I think there are many ways a couple can get married depending on what is most meaningful to them. To Mar and me, it is most meaningful to share our life at this point with everyone we owe our careers to,”

Pamanhikan may be a long-forgotten tradition to many but this pre-wedding tradition remains alive in many parts of the country — many more informal than most. Mar is doing a semi-traditional pamanhikan with his entire family both on the Araneta and Roxas sides by visiting the Sanchez residence. 

“This is where my Mom and Dad’s dreams came true, in this Merville home,” said Korina. “My Mom built it with special events like this in mind. They would be truly smiling down from heaven if I held it here in the home I grew up in.”

Korina has three brothers who will join her in tomorrow’s pamanhikan (together with some ninangs that she has already chosen for the wedding) to receive Mar’s family.

To be held late in the afternoon, the pamanhikan will be strictly between the two families. In the evening, Korina’s family and closest friends from high school and college will have dinner during which they will watch the videotape of the Pamanhikan. Natives from Bulacan are invited to showcase a traditional pamanhikan complete with dance, song and, yes, Balagtasan (a poetic exchange expressing the undying love of the man to the woman). Mar will surprise Korina with a harana — Oops! It won’t be a surprise anymore!

“Naku,” laughed Korina, “I don’t know what he has in store but I can’t imagine him wearing a salakot with a guitar in hand. O, baka naman ganoon niya ako kamahal. Hahahaha!”

Inspired by the couple’s appearance on Wowowee, Vehnee Saturno has composed a song titled Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas, Iyong-Iyo Ako, a vow of love Mar and Korina shared with the public on the show. The song, which may be the couple’s theme song, is set to be performed also at the pamanhikan by choice artists who remain to be named.

Incidentally, it’s Pepito Albert who will design Korina’s wedding gown and Carey Santiago of Cebu the despedida de soltera gown. Patrice Ramos-Diaz will collaborate with Pepito for the entourage. 

“It will be Filipino-inspired,” said Korina.

* * *

Did you know that Gerald Anderson has military connections? His father is with the US Navy, his uncle is with the US Army and his grandfather was with the US Air Force. No wonder Gerald feels so at-home in his role as a soldier (with co-star Jake Cuenca) in the ABS-CBN soap Tayong Dalawa.

I wouldn’t have found out if I didn’t read Susan de Guzman’s article in the latest issue of S Magazine and the Q&A conducted by the S mag staff. Thanks to S mag editor-in-chief Wilson Lee Flores (also a columnist of this paper’s Business Life section) who sent me a copy of his magazine with specific reminder for me to read the Gerald Anderson feature.

I knew that Gerald, a Fil-Am, started in showbiz as a virtual alalay and back-up dancer of Joross Gamboa who met Gerald during a show in Gensan (his mother’s hometown where Gerald used to stay). Related Gerald (who turned 20 last March 7), “Nasa high school pa ako noon. Kasa-kasama ko ‘yung mga kaibigan ko. Sinabi sa akin, ‘Uy, magpa-picture ka.’ Actor daw ‘yon, so nagpa-picture ako.”

It was Ethel Ramos who detailed to the S mag staff how Gerald was discovered: “Joross used to be the talent of Jhun Reyes (a movie writer). Jhun saw Gerald na nagpa-picture with Joross who asked Gerald, ‘Gusto mong mag-artista?’ Tapos, sinabihan ni Joross si Jhun, ‘Jhun, tingnan mo ‘yon, puwedeng mag-artista.’ Reluctant pa raw si Jhun kasi alaga na niya si Joross pero pinapunta niya dito (sa Maynila) si Gerald; pumunta naman. Suwerte ni Gerald, may Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). Ang pinaka-suwerte niya, andoon si Kim (Chiu, who emerged the winner)...”

The rest is history. Today, Gerald is one of the hottest young stars and an in-demand endorser, the latest being for Enervon-C which shows him doing stunts in the TV commercial. Hmmmm, a potential action star!

From the S mag story, I also learned that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cited Gerald and Jake for their “excellent” portrayal as soldiers on Tayong Dalawa and for promoting the AFP’s good image. In ceremonies held last April, led by then AFP Chief of Staff Alexander Yano (now Ambassador to Brunei), gave the show a plaque of appreciation for uplifting the image of the Philippine Army.

“Because of the show,” said Gerald (who would have loved to serve in the US Army if he didn’t join showbiz), “I came to know about the real situation of Filipino soldiers.”

He and Jake were so touched by the soldiers’ plight that they donated their winnings from the ABS-CBN game show Deal or No Deal to the AFP Medical Center.

What’s up?

• Yes, of course, reader Chit Santos Villaroya is right: Patrick Dempsey is Grey’s Anatomy’s McDreamy and not “Dr. Dreamy” as Funfare referred to him in a recent item.

• When celebrities and high-profile personalities experience emotional problems, they seek out Dr. Randy Dellosa who is more popularly known as the in-house counselor of reality-TV and the psychological screener for TV game shows.

• Actor-endorser Tony Boy dela Rea is celebrating his birthday today (June 13) with a big bash at his well-appointed residence at the New Capitol Estates, Quezon City. Tony Boy was the 1976 Mr. Teen Philippines.

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