The first showbiz wedding of the year happened without any hitch late afternoon last Saturday, Feb. 26, with almost all members of the entourage present even if the venue, Thunderbird Poro Point Resorts in Poro Point, La Union, was 10 hours by car from Manila.
The groom, John Estrada, was marrying for the second time (the first, annulled, was to Janice de Belen who wasn’t present but their daughters were) but he cried unabashedly (“Humahagulgol talaga siya,” said an eyewitness) just the same while watching his bride, 2005 Miss Earth Priscilla Meirelles (from Brazil) walking towards him, radiant like the setting sun in her Randy Ortiz gown. Priscilla cried, too, but not as hard as John did. “John’s shoulders were shaking as he cried,” added the eyewitness.
John’s mother noted the absence of John’s “best friend Willie Revillame,” but added that the everything was a blessing anyway because John’s other best friend Richard Gomez was there. A Best Man like Richard, Willie had a misunderstanding with John and had publicly announced that he wasn’t attending. That day, he was in Davao with co-host Shalani Soledad for their show Willing Willie. John’s wheelchair-bound father watched the proceedings from a balcony. Priscilla’s mother and stepfather with some friends flew in from Brazil for the occasion.
Everybody had a good laugh when John’s mother “scolded” John during her speech at the reception. She reminded John, “Iho, ‘yung ugali mo baguhin mo na. Tigilan mo na ang pag-inom.” Then, she revealed that John had become so busy that when she was confined at the hospital, he didn’t even visit her. “Pero nandoon naman si Priscilla para sa kanya,” prompting Priscilla to clarify that she went there not for John but for her.
When John tried to stop her, the mom said, “Hindi pa ako tapos, kasi palagi kang busy at hindi na kita nakakausap.” The obedient son teased his mom, “O, pinagagalitan mo ako na para lang tayo nasa sala.”
Listed on the invitation as Principal Sponsors were Mr. Manuel Pangilinan and Mrs. Kitchie Benedicto-Paulino, Gov. Luis Chavit Singson and Dr. Vicky (Note: Should have been spelled Vicki) Belo, Mr. Ben Chan and Mrs. Julie Torres, Atty. Ray Espinosa and Ms. Maria Cecilia Soriano, Mr. Noel Gonzales and Mrs. Genilda Furigay, Mr. Johnny Manahan and Mrs. Maria Socorro Vidanes, Mr. Randolph Luis Ortiz and Ms. Maria Elena Nunez, Mr. Ernest Escaler and Ms. Cristinelli Fermin, Mr. Eduardo Quides and Mrs. Amelia Quides, Atty. Alfonso Reyno Jr. and Mrs. Vivian Dudgeon, Mr. Vicente Del Rosario and Mrs. Lily Monteverde, and Dr. Jun Berberrabe and Dr. Vivian Sarabia.
Matrons of Honor: Mrs. Lucy Marie Torres Gomez and Mrs. Marvie Young-Lim.
Junior Best Man: Juan Antonio Immanuel Estrada.
Groomsmen: Mr. Ogie Alcasid, Mr. Luis Claudio de Almeida Jr., Mr. Leo Angelo Bote, Mr. Albert Patrick Deen, Mr. Jose Ma. Gayoso, Mr. Sherwin Hingf, Mr. Hubert Lim, Atty. Alfonso Reyno III, Mr. Jay Wambangco.
Bridesmaids: Ms. Czarinah Isabella Estrada, Ms. Talita de Aquino, Ms. Ginger Conejero, Ms. Tatiana Amorin, Ms. Sandra Inez Seifert, Ms. Michaela Aryanna Estrada, Ms. Ariana Maria Barouck, Ms. Stephanie Maria Danielle Estrada and Ms. Moanna Sarann Luu.
Candle Sponsors: Mr. Andres Jose Yllana and Mrs. Victoria Lorna Fernandez.
Veil Sponsors: Mr. Gabby Concepcion and Mrs. Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan.
Cord Sponsors: Mr. Randy Gerard Santiago and Ms. Aiai De Las Alas.
Ring Bearer: Zach Rashaud Bederi.
Bible Reader: Ms. Kris Aquino.
Bible Bearer: Ryan Mario Lim.
Coin Bearer: Ramon Angelo Nunez.
Flower Girls: Ceana Lee, Carolina Cecilia Ong and Sofia Gabrielle Go.
The pre-wedding activities included Golf Tournament for the gentlemen, “Sparty!” A Spa Party for the Ladies, Wedding Ceremony Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner Party, all held on Friday, Feb. 25.
The wedding will soon be shown as a TV special on ABS-CBN where John returned after a stint in the Kapatid Network TV5.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.phor at entphilstar@yahoo.com)