Big names in gov’t attend Luigi’s wedding

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu sixth district Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing married his high school crush, Maria Carmen Carmela Hofileña, before thousands of Mandauehanons at the National Shrine of St. Joseph yesterday.

The ceremony was officiated by Cebu Archbi-shop Jose Palma and was attended by prominent names in politics, including Senators Franklin Drilon and Grace Po and House Spea-ker Feliciano Belmonte.

“I wish Luigi and Maricar the best and all the happiness they can have,” Drilon said.

P/Insp. Romualdo Genandoy estimated the crowd at the church to have reached 3,000. Roads leading to the shrine were closed to vehicle traffic for two hours while the ceremony was in progress.

The other principal sponsors include Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Secretary Butch Abad, Justice Hector Hofileña, Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes,  Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy and Consolacion Mayor Teresita Alegado.

Also serving as principal sponsors were lawyer Antonio Nierras, Bienvinido Hofileña, Felix Hofileña, Dr. Ma. Elena Panuncialman, Dr. Marie Antoniete Ortaliz, Dr. Leny Ruiz de Luzurriaga, Lourdes Hofileña, Amelita Cordero, Olivoa Yanson, and Lorie Fe Bangloy.

The other prominent names in government present yesterday include Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas; Senators JV Ejercito, Edgardo Sonny Angara, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; Ilocos  Governor  Imee  Marcos; Trade Union Congress  Party Representative  Raymond Democrito Mendoza;  TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva; and Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez.

Officials of Mandaue City, including Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede and members of the City Council; and officials of Cordova and Consolacion also came in full force.

The new Mrs. Quisumbing and the whole entourage wore creations of renowned Cebuano designer Cary Santiago.   A guest list of 600 attended the reception at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

In a previous interview, Quisumbing said Maricar, the name he calls his wife with, is his cousin’s best friend whom he has not seen for 20 years. They met again in March 2014 and it was then that he finally decided to pursue her. — (FREEMAN)