They are the best gift to each other

In an exclusive interview in August last year, The STAR asked Jericho “Echo” Rosales what was the best wedding gift he could give his girlfriend Kim Jones. “Myself,” said Echo as he cast Kim a loving glance.

Asked the same question, Kim smiled, “Yes, myself!”

Added Echo, “And a lifelong assurance that I’d be faithful to her and a vow that I will take care of her the rest of our life together.”

Yesterday afternoon, Echo and Kim formalized their “lifelong commitment” to each other at an exclusive Christian wedding at Shangri-La Resort & Spa in Boracay, officiated by Pastor Joe Obordo of Alabang New Life Christian Fellowship, the couple’s church.

The wedding capped a romance that started in a chance meeting at a dinner in 2012 hosted at Rockwell by their mutual friends. Kim, a TV host, was born in England to a British father and a half-Filipina mother (who is part-Spanish/part-Chinese) and grew up in Adelaide, Australia where she studied Architecture (undergraduate).

Echo dramatized his marriage proposal to Kim on Aug. 4 last year after a Sunday worship at their church, with the theme “Jesus is…Unli Love.” Echo asked the permission from officiating pastor, Jeric Soriano, if he could go onstage to express his message of love. He started by saying that he could never explain why Jesus would choose to die for a sinner like him, saying aloud, “Why me?” Then, he turned to Kim and said, “Will you marry me?” Near tears, Kim answered, “Yes!”

At yesterday’s wedding, Echo wore a suit designed by Francis Libiran while Kim donned a beautiful bridal gown by Vania Romoff and more gowns by Ryan Madamba.

Present at the wedding were the couple’s families and friends led by their parents Lolita Bienewitz-Chan (mother of Kim), and Santiago Rosales and Rose Vibar (Echo’s parents). The entourage consisted of Best Men Ryan Manalo and Buji Libarnes; Maid/Matron of Honor Salome Jones; Principal Sponsors Gina Valenciano and Allan Critchett, Marinez Elizalde and Paul Chase, Mylene Evangelista and Jocel Evangelista, Coney Reyes and Johnny Manahan, Rico Ocampo, Joe Obordo, Laurenti Dyogi, and Gary Valenciano and Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano; Bridesmaids Michelle Swinstead, Nikki dela Paz, Tin Magsaysay, Nina Santamaria, Samantha Godinez-Valenciano, Arianna Colamoncini and Mica Javier; Groomsmen Paolo Valenciano, Caloy Rivera, Dibs Trofeo, Gabriel Valenciano, Marvin Germo, Dohn Cerenado and Jeremiah Rosales; Bible Bearer Santino Rosales; and Flower Girls Satria Manalo and Athena Colico.

During the after-party, Gary and children Paolo and Kiana, and Julianne Tarroja sang love songs while DJ Dharyl del Pilar and GMT band rendered chart-toppers, homegrown favorites and party anthems.

On the eve of the wedding, the couple hosted a sunset pre-wedding party for their guests at Asya Premier Suites.

In last year’s interview, Echo said he would love to spend their honeymoon in Paris, with Kim adding, “A road trip in the countryside of Europe would be nice.”

Before then, Echo and Kim should be ready for the best gift they could give each other…themselves!

Good night, Echo and Kim. Sweet dreams!!!

(With a report from Chuck Gomez)

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)