A fairy-tale wedding for Rene and Haidee Cayetano

After exclusive dating for over half a century, Haidee Benedicto, lovely daughter of entrepreneur Francisco Benedicto, who served as the Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, Korea, and Canada through the years and presently Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, and his ever supportive wife Leontina Benedicto, Cebu-based Honorary Consul of Turkey, and Rene Cayetano, dashing son of the late Senator Renato Cayetano and his spouse Sandra Cayetano, who is more Filipina than most, decided to wed at the Sacred Heart Parish with Ricardo Cardinal Vidal as the presiding celebrant.

Completely bedecked with gigantic fuchsia flowers and lots of greens, the church could not have provided a more charmed setting for the bare-shouldered beauty in her fairy-tale frock by Rajo Laurel.

The entourage was a mix of Manila and Cebu top heavy dignitaries. The principal sponsors included President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Representative Cynthia Villar, Senator Manuel Roxas II and Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar and Nancy Cuenco, Representative Francis Escudero and Menchu Tantoco Lopez, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Alice Cayetano McHugh, Andrew Gotianun and Helena Benedicto, and Dr. Lucio Tan and Anita Siy

The groom’s brother dynamic Representative Alan Peter Cayetano was best man, while the bride’s sister Lilian Benedicto was maid of honor. Groomsmen included Lino Cayetano, Reggie Ocampo, and Antonio Arce. The bridesmaids were Enrilen Benedicto, Sarah Jane Florido, and Jennifer Go.

The secondary sponsors were Jorge Bocobo and Maybelline Te for the candle, Ali Bernard Go and Lala Ticzon for the veil, and Edward Onglatco and Cristina Lim for the cord.

After the beautiful, romantic and endearing ceremony, some 800 guests proceeded to the Cebu Waterfront Hotel where champagne and cocktails were served at the foyer, followed by a sit-down dinner at the Pacific Ballroom.

A menu of sumptuous proportion, devised and prepared by chef Dietmar Ditrich, was accompanied with sterling wines from different countries.

The celebration was highlighted with heartfelt speeches especially by the bride’s dad Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto and the groom’s sister Senator Pia Cayetano.

This was a wedding everybody who was anybody simply did not want to miss.