From campus romance to the altar
MANILA, Philippines - It was a match made in heaven when Angela Aguiluz, a radiant bride, exchanged “I do’s” with her dashing groom, Pocholo Lamson, last July 18 at the Santuario de San Jose in East Greenhills. Jinggay, as she is fondly called by family and close friends, was stunning in a Rajo Laurel creation with a smile neckline, a strapless bodice, and a 50-foot train. Framing the bride’s face was a veil of silk Italian Mikado. Poch was dapper in a Randy Ortiz-designed black tuxedo.
The second of three children of AMA Education System founder and PGMA’s current special envoy to the Gulf Cooperation Council in the Middle East, Ambassador Amable Aguiluz V and Cielo Aguiluz, Jinggay is an accomplished businesswoman who runs her own printing company while also being vice president for treasury at AMA Education System while Pocholo, the only child of Atty. Rolando Lamson and Rosario Lamson, is into real estate and financial services.
The fairytale romance started while the couple was still studying at the University of Santo Tomas and culminated in a grand wedding, with over 700 guests attending the reception at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la.
The powerhouse entourage was led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Noli De Castro. Joining them were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Lovely Romulo, Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, who was represented by Sen. Manny Villar. The Aguiluz and Cruz clans were represented by the eldest brother of the ambassador, Dr. Amable “Sonny” Aguiluz II, Emmer Aguiluz, wife of Amable “Teto” Aguiluz IV, and Aurora Moreno, sister of Jinggay’s mom. Other ninongs and ninangs were Casiano King, Alberto Buenviaje, Gov. Jose L Cuisia, Jr., Victor Batungbacal, Therese Santos, Roberto Lamson, Esther Capistrano, Gregory Alan Biddle, Toni Gregory, and Lourdes del Rosario.
Joining the couple’s well-wishers was Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Prime Minister, a close friend of Ambassador Aguiluz V, flew into Manila on his SP-747 plane just for the wedding. He was joined by a 20- man delegation which included His Highness’ grandsons, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Rashid Al Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
To the delight of wedding guests, the newlyweds started their wedding party with their own special rendition of A Very Special Love.
The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra serenaded the guests during the sumptuous dinner, followed by special numbers from “Mr. Energy” Gary Valenciano and Sarah Geronimo.
Guests grooved all night to the fantastic music provided by Side A and Juan Miguel Salvador and the Authority Band with program host Michael Lim cueing each segment flawlessly.
Tony Rodriguez did the stunning floral arrangements while Judy Uson did the wedding cake. Bob Nicolas did the on-site videos and the AVPs while Dino Lara did the still pictures. The bride’s makeup was by Barbi Chan, the wedding invites by Write Impression while Peaches Go-Tiu was the event planner.
