GMA’s youngest son Dato to marry long-time girlfriend

President Arroyo is gaining another daughter-in-law as her youngest son, Diosdado Ignacio, affectionately called "Dato," weds his long-time girlfriend Kakay Manotoc later this month.

Dato, 28, is set to exchange vows with his fiancee on May 16, Friday, at Santuario de San Antonio parish in posh Forbes Park, Makati City. The wedding reception will be held at the Malacañang Palace grounds.

Mrs. Arroyo’s eldest son, Pampanga Vice Gov. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo was the first of the presidential brood to marry. Mikey wed Angela Montenegro in June last year in rites held at the Macapagal hometown of Lubao, Pampanga. The couple has a six-month-old daughter, Mikaela Gloria, nicknamed Mika.

On Sunday’s airing of the Sharon Cuneta Show, the President called the ABS-CBN talk show to greet her son and future daughter-in-law on the air. Dato, Kakay and their upcoming nuptials were featured on the show.

Mrs. Arroyo teased Dato, who after seven years as Kakay’s boyfriend finally proposed to her. "I don’t believe in long engagements," the President quipped.

During the pre-wedding interview on the program, Kakay recounted how Dato proposed to her with the help of six of their close friends. Each friend went to Kakay bearing a red rose. Dato gave her the seventh rose. – Marichu Villanueva