MANILA, Philippines - THE GROOM: Pasig Congressman Roman Romulo, 44, the most elusive bachelor in town. When the Roman-Shalani romance became hot news, his colleagues in Congress started calling him “Romansa.” So let’s call the Roman-Shalani couple, “Romansha.”
THE BRIDE: Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, the most soft-spoken, but most beloved TV host in town. “We are so grateful to TV 5 for taking Shalani in Wowowee,” humbly said her mom Evelyn Soledad-Yumol,” kahit hindi siya marunong mag-emcee.”
THE CHURCH: St. Benedict Church in Westgrove, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Romansha immediately fell in love with this immaculate white church with golden alcoves. Such a clean, fresh setting!
THE DATE: January 22, 2012, the eve of Chinese New Year of the Dragon. A most auspicious date for good luck.
THE BRIDAL DESIGNER: Inno Sotto was chosen by Shalani for his beautiful design — white Callais lace over Mikado fabric, with cut-out lace appliques over the skirts, creating the romantic, feminine look she wanted. The groom’s sister, Mons Romulo, requested Inno as well to be the event’s creative consultant, overseeing all the style elements for the wedding. Inno’s Fashion Watch working model-partner, Grace Molina, served as floor director. The bridal entourage wore gowns by Dennis Lustico.
THE GROOM’S APPAREL: Hugo Boss for his tuxedo. Louis Vuitton for his shoes. It was Inno who brought Roman to the Hugo Boss boutique in Rustan’s Makati, and in a couple of hours, Roman had his suit off the rack.
THE BRIDAL SHOEMAKER: Lila Almario who created exquisite satin heels with lace appliques echoing her wedding gown material. With a pretty matching bag.
THE WEDDING RINGS: Eternity rings, a gift from the Romulos.
THE CORD: Two huge crystal rosaries intertwined to make a cord, a gift from Mercy Tuazon from Rome.
THE FLORIST: Zenas Pineda. For the bridal bouquet, freesia, lilacs and berry-like brunia. For the church, tall hedges with casablancas and white roses. For the reception tables, lilacs, hyacinths, lisianthus, cabbage roses with ivy vines and berries.
THE BRIDAL COORDINATOR: Marichelle Ligon of Bridesmaids & Co. who faced such a challenging but satisfying task.
THE CATERER: Florabel Co-Yatco of Florabel/Felix/Crisostomo fame, who made the guests happy with her smoked salmon with romaine lettuce salad, chicken binakol with Baguio spinach, roast US Angus rib-eye, queso de bola cheesecake, suman latik with Batangas chocolate. For non-meat eaters, Florabel thoughtfully prepared delicious seabass.
THE COOL TREAT: From his pushcart, a sorbetero served delicious ube, queso and macapuno ice cream made with fresh milk. The guests loved it!
THE CAKE DESIGNER: Penk Ching who created an interesting three-dimensional five-tiered banana walnut cake. Nobody really eats wedding cakes anymore these days, except the bride and the groom, so don’t ask us how it tasted.
THE RECEPTION SITE: The Evolving Center Dockside in Nuvali, where 15 white tents were set up with chandeliers.
THE WEDDING GIVEAWAYS: Villa del Conte chocolates from Italy, nicely packaged by Vince Aldanese in dainty packages beribboned in lavender. Villa del Conte is the chocolate on everyone’s lips, so yummy! Plus, blessed St. Benedict medallions which offer protection from sickness and evil spirits. Blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, the medallions were a gift from the groom’s parents, Alberto and Lovely Romulo, who hand-carried these from Rome last December. The Romulos have a special devotion to St. Benedict.
THE DRAMA: What’s a wedding without tears? Seen crying were Shalani herself, her mother, her aunt Helen Soledad-Marfil, her best friend Joy Castellvi and Roman’s sister Berna Romulo-Puyat. The best must-bring accessory to a wedding? A lace handkerchief.
THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED GUESTS: The beautiful Susie Madrigal Bayot ex Ortigas, who hopped by our table and told us: “I felt so liberated when I filed that case against (ex-husband) Paqui Ortigas.” Her advice to suffering wives: “Be financially independent, so it will be easier for you to stand on your own when you need to leave your husband... Actually, all I want back are my paraphernal properties.”
... Ronald Singson, looking like a new man, seated beside us in church, gently pensive and prayerful. When asked about the first thing he did after 11 months behind bars in Hong Kong, Ronald answered: ”I did some cooking! All the Filipino dishes I’ve missed.”
THE MOST-MISSED ABSENTEE GUEST: President Noynoy Aquino, Shalani’s ex, who would have been the most-photographed guest.
THE MUSIC: Personally chosen by Romansha were songs like Just the Way You Are, Fields of Gold, Brighter than the Sun, Marry Me, and Silly Love Songs, rendered by Da Cappo band.
THE SOUND OF LUCK: Romansha’s arrival at the reception was greeted with fireworks. At the stroke of midnight, guests were treated to more dazzling fireworks heralding the start of the Chinese New Year.
THE HONEYMOON: For this prayerful couple, Rome is it! But we dare say they should be passing by Paris, a most romantic city. But it looks like Amanpulo in Palawan is the most doable right now.