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Thursday, June 02, 2005
Magsaysay: Happily hitched
By Jo Magsaysay
Whatever
Erase the government aura that creates the awesome presence and there is Gwendolyn Garcia, simply, a mother. The mother radiating pride and joy that her only son, Paulo, has finally decided to settle down with a girl of his choice, the love of his life, Michele, the strikingly lovely daughter of Nelson and Luz Geneston of Leyte.
***
Superbly sheathed by Philip Rodriguez in fuschia chiffon, Gwen, smiling her bright dimpled smile, walked alongside her son and her brother, Atty. Winston Garcia, top man of GSIS, up the middle aisle lined with white gladioli poised like sentinels by Pinky Chang. At the altar, the good-looking Paulo took the hand of Michele exquisitely bridal in a Jude Elardo number and together they beseeched the Lord to sanctify their relationship and “bless our beautiful boy” Pablo Julio Miguel while Rev. Fr. Roderick Salazar in his magnificently stentorian accents invoked God’s love upon the couple, exhorting them to love one another forever. A heartwarming ceremony.
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The processional of distinguished sponsors included personages Ephraim and Aurora Genuino, Thadeo and Linda Ouano, Deogenes and Brumenehilda Derama, Thaddeus Durano and Marissa Fernan, Richard Sr. and Linda Mercado, Atty. Manolette Dinsay, Farla G. Empemano, Ben Yapjoco and Olivia Yanson, the Lhuilliers, Michel and Amparito, the cynosure of all eyes being the gorgeous creature that she is, in fuschia…Monique?
Philip? Jed? Who cares? She would look great even in a paper bag. (The dress was vintage Philip Rodriguez which she wore only once to the Inno Sotto fashion gala years ago in Manila-ed.) However, what riveted my attention was the sight of Marissa Fernan who was incredibly, sensationally marvelous in a gown, also in fuschia, by Inno Sotto which was feminine and magical, adding height and subtracting weight Marissa looked truly gorgeous, I neglected to notice her compadre Thaddeus Durano.
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The rest of the entourage had Richard Mercado Jr. as the groom’s best man, Haidee Panao, the bride’s maid of honor. Ronald Conopio, Erwin Genuino and Jasper Ty as groomsmen; Ma. Esperanza Christina and Ma. Estella Carissa Garcia as bridesmaids. Secondary sponsors were John Peter Melendrez and Amanda Quisumbing for the candle; Alan Tayo and Lunelia Tayo for the veil; Kester Lim and Sofia Mylene Lim for the cord. Pablo Julio Miguel was ring and coin bearer while Martha Julia Alcuino and Sofia Inez Garcia were flower girls, the processional march also included the mass offerers: Frichelle Imping and Pablo John Garcia IV (candles); Carmi Pore and Byron Pablo R. Garcia V (flowers); G.L. de Guzman, Joaquin del Rio, Julsar Deguia (fruits); Melanie Ediza and Kester Michael Lim (host and wine); Ma. Lanie Geneston and Arnold J. Geneston (chalice and ciborium).
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Not members of the entourage but certainly the most important personalities of all were the paternal grandparents of the groom, the redoubtable and highly esteemed couple, former governor of Cebu Pablo Garcia and Judge Esperanza Garcia. Seeing Pabling again recalled the time when this erstwhile classmate in the College of Law in USC would be assiduously poring over the notes on Persons and Family Relations that his brother Jess, the late Atty. Jesus Garcia, pedagogue and legal eagle, had been lecturing on, while I was just fooling around. Look where it got him and where (sigh) it got me.
Recalling, too, the formidable Judge Esperanza being one and the same charming Inday.
Severiana Garcia, dear Ever, pushing 90 with not a wrinkle on her face
and just a few silvery threads in her long hair, whose wide smile is so warm and genuine it just grabs you like a hug and a kiss. A grand celebration forthcoming next year when she’s 90 but she vetoes that.
Melanie Ediza, a standout not only because she’s tanned, tall, lean and
lovely but mostly because she is such a nice person, came over to kiss goodbye since she was leaving for Los Angeles the next day to begin her contract of employment as a nurse. Nurse? Beauty queens come and go but nurses are forever…I “can’t always be a fashion model but I can always serve the sick…“Atta girl! A good head on her shoulder, both feet planted solidly in the ground, her heart in the right place.
Following the nuptial rites at the Redemptorist Church, the wedding party moved on and up to the hills for the Chateau de Busay reception where a sumptuous feast awaited. Commandeering a table, Gwen’s former Theresian classmates happily got together for another one of their fun times. Leaving the group to join the rest of the entourage at the bridal table, merry hooting followed “the little governor” Marissa Fernan. A roll call in order: Therese Bowler Gonzales, Olga Antiqua, Annie Chen Fussner, Bembot Ceballes Maderazo, Alice Ynclino Atega, Tonette Hife Balbuena, Thelma Cabatingan Ferendos, Vivien Acebedo Lopez, Rosalyn Baytion Chiongbian, Maye Tan, Gertrude Cabrera, Myra M. Sun, Mariliz Evangelista Noel, Tata Jugador Mempin. All present and accounted for a wonderful time.
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Hey! What about you guys who want to cut up Cebu? What’s in it for you?
Honor? Power? Glory? Money? All of the above? Whatever. Shame on you!
(June 2, 2005 issue)
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