Friday, October 31, 2008 Wedding in the mountains By Jojie Alcantara
NING Dureza and Popit Uy have been childhood friends since the age of 13. Their moms, Elizabeth Dureza and the late Marilou Uy, were best of friends.
Since 1992, their summer trysts at the Dureza's Seagull Beach Resort in Punta Dumalag and Seagull Mountain Resort in Buda were being discouraged by the parents who thought they were too young to get into any serious stuff.
So both youngsters went separate ways, finished high school, and went off to college.
Meanwhile, communication hasn't stopped by phone calls. Each had serious relationships, which didn't fare well. Soon, Ning had to work for her Dad Jess Dureza, who was then former presidential adviser for Mindanao and chair of the government panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Her work in Manila found her often seeing Popit's greetings on Yahoo Messenger. Popit was then working in a telecommunications company in the US.
Having just ended a relationship, she discovered Popit to have just ended his, too. The chats became longer, and soon, Popit wanted to renew their "friendship" last year by sending her a ticket to visit him.
But fate creates one of those magical twists in life. Dad Jess asked her daughter to join in a US trip. Ning was then reunited with her childhood sweetheart (or summer fling, as she jokingly puts it).
When Ning flew back to Manila, Popit decided to follow, and the next few months became heady for both. Popit consulted with Ning's sister in Davao to have an engagement ring designed, and carefully asked the unknowing Mr. Dureza to hand carry this secret parcel to Ning.
After Popit popped the question, Ning excitedly announced to her Dad first, before both cautiously called Mom Elizabeth to say the good news.
The couple originally wanted Boracay for their dream destination wedding. But both knew it had to be the place which brings back nostalgic memories of their forbidden, young lover's rendezvous.
So it was set in Seagull Mountain Resort along Davao-Bukidnon road. They originally wanted a very simple and exclusive wedding. Now, how can a Malacanang's Press Secretary go about that?
On October 18, 2008, the grand wedding happened up in the cool mountains. Most of the entourage, organizers, and staff have already stayed the night before in log cabins, including us and Rhonson's assistants.
At 10 a.m., two government helicopters flew in Her Excellency President Gloria Arroyo, while two other personalities flew in from their private choppers: Mr. Antonio Floirendo Sr. (accompanied by Congressman Anton Lagdameo), and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The Most Reverend Archbishop Fernando Capalla officiated the solemn wedding inside the resort's small chapel by a hill.
Madame President walked in the aisle in the arm of former president Fidel Ramos, as two of the principal sponsors.
The list includes Sec. Norberto Gonzales, Governor Arturo Uy, Atty. Orlando Samson, Mr. Rogelio Uy, Mr. Tirso Uytengsu III, Mr. Peter Tan, Dra. Amelia Dizon, Mrs. Jessie Haw, Mrs. Elizabeth Co, Mrs. Elsie Sia, Mrs. Artica Uy, Mrs. Leonora Lim, and Ms. Helen Jo.
Among the guests spotted were DOT 11 Regional Director Sonia Garcia, Mr. Paul Dominguez, Mr. Willie Torres, and members of the media.
Reception and a lavish buffet meal followed in the two-storey hall on a cliff overlooking a vast panorama of pine trees. The wind was cold after a blast of rain.
City Tourism Officer Bong Aportadera hosted the wedding reception. The wedding photographer was Rhonson Ng, and I was one of his assistants.
Erwin Tan of Kasuotan created the unusual royal blue color of Ning's wedding gown while makeup artist Jing Monis was flown in from Manila. Otoy Mercado did the makeup of the entourage. The wedding organizer was Kim Leuenberger of Sulu Orchids, which also made splendid flower arrangements.
