But the actual church rites are scheduled in January 2004 yet, and, barring any hitches, promises to be the Wedding of that Year.
Negros Occidental Rep. Julio "Jules" Ledesma IV, 41, and Assunta de Rossi, 19, were married in civil rites yesterday at the garden of the sprawling lawn of the Executive House of the Ledesma Group of Companies here.
The ceremony started at 11 a.m. and was over in 15 minutes.
It was officiated by five mayors of Negros Occidental: Eugenio Jose Lacson of the city, Samuel Fabroz of Calatrava, Victor Medoña Jr. of Toboso, Santiago Barcelona Jr. of Escalante and Cynthia de la Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto.
Jules vowed to love Assunta "till his last breath" underneath an arch adorned with assorted white flowers and fine tulle in a garden setting arranged by the congressman’s cousin Tima Lacson and partner Millie Kilayko of Sweet Greens Co.
The arch was set under centuries-old acacia trees that were decorated with tropical flowers. Assunta walked on a bed of roses and sampaguita or jasmine— two flowers that represent Italy and the Philippines.
The bride was radiant in a three-piece aqua raw silk P100,000 dress designed by Frederick Peralta who also did the groom’s barong Tagalog. The couple was a sight to behold, with the 5’2" groom shedding more tears of joy than his 5’9" bride did.
"I am very happy," said Jules, given a second chance at love after his first wife died of cancer three years ago.
The civil ceremony legalized the couple’s six months of living-in, an arrangement to which Assunta’s mother, Nenita, and younger sister, actress Alessandra, vehemently objected. Both Jules and Assunta were in tears, hugging each other every now and then, as they exchanged "I do’s."
Cristina Julieta, 10, and Julio Carlos, 5, Jules’ children with his late wife, Maria Victoria Tsung Pek, were part of the entourage (but without the traditional secondary sponsors). Assunta mom and sister were conspicuously absent even if they were invited to the event, complete with round-trip tickets. Assunta’s Italian father was also absent. He is in Italy with Assunta’s two other sisters.
Jules’ family, especially his mother, were not around, although Jules claimed that they approved of Assunta as new member of the clan. His mom is on her annual trip to the United States for her regular medical check-up. She and the rest of the family could not delay their trip because it was scheduled long before the wedding was set.
Assunta appealed to her mother Nenita and sister Alessandra to "give (Jules) another chance," while Jules wished that Nenita and Alessandra were present during the ceremony. "I promise to take care of her. Your daughter is in good hands," Jules said.
"I don’t think Alex (Alessandra) can come," said Assunta on Friday when she and Jules, along with Jules’ two kids, arrived in Bacolod from Manila. "What I know is that Alex has a taping."
But mom Nenita did send a text message to Assunta who said that she was hoping things would be ironed out between her and her siblings. "Sana after this," said Assunta, "mag-reconcile na kami para mas happy ako."
After the 15-minute ceremony covered "live" exclusively by ABS-CBN whose owners, the Lopezes, are Jules’ cousins, guests and well-wishers partook of a salu-salo consisting of Russian salad, paella, chicken relleno, lengua, steamed fish, roast beef, leche flan and braso de mercedes.
Two hours later, the newlyweds in casual clothes appeared together onstage for the noontime show MTB telecast "live" from this city, holding back tears as they hugged some more and waved and blew kisses to a big crowd of ecstatic Ilonggos.
They said they have decided to forgo the honeymoon.
Friday night, eve of the wedding, an engagement dinner was held also at the Hacienda Euzkara where Assunta was serenaded with love songs while 800 torch-bearing volunteer workers and public school teachers in baro’t-saya danced around the place lit up by a bonfire. The affair culminated with the lighting of fireworks that illuminated the starless sky.
It was also during the engagement dinner where Jules, through his children, presented Assunta with a set of pearl necklace, earrings and an engagement ring, said to be worth $4,000.
On the invitation card, the poetry-loving Jules printed a quote by Anton Chekov: "To my dear Sam. You are the air that I breathe. We shall rest. We shall hear the angles sing. We shall see the whole day sparkling like diamond. I believe this with all my heart. I promise thee all these and more of our lives."
After the wedding, Jules resumes his work in Congress while Assunta buckles down to her TV-movie assignments. She has three more films to do before their planned January 2004 wedding. Assunta has just signed up with ABS-CBN which will soon cast her in a sitcom, maybe with Dolphy. — With reports from Antonieta Lopez