President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo emerged from their "pamanhikan" in a Valentine dinner at the home of Herman and Charito Montenegro at Forbes Park in Makati City, announcing that June 24 had been set as the wedding date.
They have also agreed to hold the wedding in an old church in Lubao, Pampanga, the hometown of President Arroyo and the birthplace of her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal.
There was no mention, however, if the wedding reception will be held at Ma-lacañang Palace.
"I’m very happy because, of course, it’s very clear that I will share my life with someone," Mikey said.
At the "pamanhikan," Mikey narrated that his mother told the Montenegros, "We are here to formally ask for the hand of Angela. My son would like to marry her." For his part, the First Gentleman vowed, "We will love your daughter Angela as much as we love our son."
"The parents of Angela were very happy and they agreed. And they replied that they, too, will love me as their own son as much as they love their daughter Angela," Mikey recalled the Montenegros’ response.
The First Couple arrived for the dinner at 7:30 p.m. with their children Mikey, Luli and Dato. Mikey brought wine for the dinner and roses for Angela.
After the dinner, Mikey egged on his bride-to-be to show off to reporters their engagement ring, a white heart-shaped gemstone, which he said was a "fourth-generation heirloom piece" given to him by her mom to give to Angela.
The couple kissed each other for the photographers. Not to be outdone, the First Gentleman hugged his wife and kissed her on the cheeks.
Asked if they still have time to spend Valentine’s night together, the First Gentleman proclaimed: "Tonight’s the night!"
"Let’s play it by ear," the President demurred.
The President gave her husband a winter suit as her Valentine’s gift while the First Gentleman gave her three roses, two red and one white, when he arrived early Thursday morning from Los Angeles, California where he spent a week’s vacation with his younger son Dato.
Asked how many grandchildren she would like to have, the President said, "As many as they can afford under the principle of responsible parenthood. That’s in line with my policy and the Constitution." The President laughed.
Interviewed over the radio earlier that day, Mrs. Arroyo confirmed that her son and future daughter-in-law were indeed second cousins. But she said that she saw no problem in that for the couple.
As for the planning of the wedding details, the President said she would have to beg off from this motherly duty to attend to the more pressing affairs of the state.
The First Couple will mark their 34th wedding anniversary on Aug. 2. Mikey and Angela are both 32 years old. He is turning 33 this April 26. — Marichu Villanueva