Monday, October 15, 2007 A wacky wedding for Maikee, Jinggay By Jojie Alcantara Witerary
MAIKEE Aportadera and Jinggay Quinones are soul mates at war. I and the many friends who have watched them nurture their love, grow apart, bond again with mixed feelings, rediscover passion, have grown tired of waiting for them to declare their undying love all these years since they first met in 1998 in the defunct once hip joint Calzada on Ilustre street.
The seemingly endless magic in their relationship has produced the lovely Mikaela Ataska Aportadera, who is turning 6 this December.
Still they lived separate lives, being good parents to Taska, but shunning the inevitable discussion of final vows. Once, in a debut Maikee and I hosted, he told me he has grown tired of hosting weddings (more than 50 at this count) and felt like "always the best man, but never the groom."
I remember telling him he'll get his chance, and when he does I'll be there to host for him.
Fast forward to this month. The couple finally decided to walk down the aisle. No, more like danced down the aisle in a comical way.
With the wedding set inside the splendidly arranged Davao Convention Center ballroom, the interior was stunningly transformed in lavishly decorated hues of white and blue, the colors of peacock, courtesy of Allen Villeno of Schneider.
Lighting splashed yellow, red, and pink and lavender on white draperies, casting a glow in the room, whose center became the altar for wedding ceremony performed by Rev. Palpito Dumanig, and with blessings from Fr. Malasmas.
The couple arrived in a Hummer. They looked like celebrities, with Jinggay a stunner in her gown (she is a Ruffa Mae Quinto look-alike).
Many times over the ceremony, during the exchanging of vows, Jinggay cries, sobs, giggles along with Maikee, when both couple couldn't continue because they were too nervous to get over their giggling. The drama became comedic in turns.
I hosted the event with my other favorite co-host, Bong Aportadera, Maikee's Pinoy big brother, who kept teasing his younger sibling.
Finally, Maikee and Jinggay thanked everyone for coming, and in his own words, "we have fought and loved so hard, we've got battle scars to prove it."
Big sister Doc Mitz Aportadera sheds tears for her bunsoy, and tells everybody it was just her irritating mascara.
Beaming at the side were parents Dr. Rizal and Nelia Aportadera and former Mayor of Lupon Arfran and Luz Quinones.
The little bride, Ataska, just pranced around telling friends, "You know what, my dad is marrying my mom" in her innocent ways.
I have to mention Kim Leuenberger of Details (Sul Orchids) who did a good job as wedding organizer. And may I mention my good friend Pia Tecson-Lopez' splendid creation of the yummy wedding cake in chocolate fondant?
It included little photos of the pre-wedding images of Maikee and Jinggay all over San Pedro Street in a gown and tuxedo.
Photography of course was by my partner Rhonson Ng, assisted by Maikee's cousin Paul Borromeo and Eric Decena and video by Ayam Yap. (React to witty@info.com.ph, or browse website www.witerary.com)
