WEDDING DETAILS. The theme is 1940s-inspired "old English" because the bride loves anything vintage. The motif is lavender, which is the bride's favorite color.
Jojo, according to Ciara, is "dedma about the concept." The groom laughs and counters, "I'm actually starting to like it because of her. Yung mga vintage-vintage na 'yan, and even yung inspiration niya for this wedding, British tea party. So yun, I'm starting to appreciate it na rin."
The gowns of the bride and entourage are all creations of Ciara's close friend, Mich Dulce. Of course, they're also vintage-inspired.
Ciara relates, "I've always been amazed ever since A League of their Own na movie, favorite ko yun, e. Noong bata ako, paulit-ulit kong pinapanood yun. So, hanggang sa naging friends ko si Mich. Tapos yung idea niya na, it's okay to dress like you live during the 1940s. So yun, parang lumakas ang loob ko..."
The youngest daughter of former Senator Tito Sotto and singer-actress Helen Gamboa chooses Lala Flores to do her makeup, and Celeste Tuviera, her hair.
From Manila Peninsula Hotel, a vintage car brings the bride to the open field.
And around 4:00 p.m, everything comes to a standstill. The bride—smiling, and at one point, shedding tears of joy—makes her bridal walk.
THE ENTOURAGE. It's a star-studded wedding!
Sharon Cuneta, the bride's cousin and considered as the eldest in their family, is the Matron of Honor, along with Danica Sotto-Pingris, Ciara's closest cousin. Cat Bautista, the non-showbiz best friend of Ciara is the Maid of Honor.
Jojo chooses the sons of Mr. T or Mr. Tony Tuviera of TAPE, Inc. and APT Films, to be his Best Men—director Mike and Eduardo Tuviera.
Ciara's sisters, Diorella Maria and Romina, are the Secondary Sponsors. The former lights the candle with Nestor Leynes III, while the latter handles the veil with JP Castillo. Bearers of the cord are Pops Fernandez and Ernesto Calanoc.
KC Concepcion shows up, and is later seen putting and removing the veil of the bride and groom.
Bridesmaids and groomsmen have an interesting mix of couple's friends in showbiz, politics, and non-showbiz. The six pairs are Mich Dulce and Kim Honasan, Julia Clarete and Diosdado Arroyo, Erica Silva and Erwin Dy, Marie Aquino and Manuel Tamayo Jr., Joy Sotto and Gian Sotto, and Jocelyn Oconer and Sherwin de Leon.
The coin bearer is Dawn Zulueta, whose son Jacobo Lagdameo is the Bible bearer. Ring bearer is the nephew of Ciara and son of Gian, Edrigu W. Sotto.
Flower girls are Nadia Tuviera, Mariel Daniella Sophia Pangilinan, Helena Maria de Leon, and Simone Francesca Emmanuelle Pangilinan. They are escorted by Vicente Sotto IV, Victorio Generoso, and Romino Generoso.
The couple have eight pairs of sponsors, who are all close to them and their parents: Sen. Gringo Honasan and Ms. Letty Tan, Mr. Ramon Ang and Mother Lily Monteverde, Cong. Romeo Jalosjos (represented by his son Bullet Jalosjos) and Ms. Kitchie Benedicto-Paulino, Mr. Antonio Tuviera and Ms. Madeleine Tuviera, Mr. Roberto Barreiro and Ms. Lisa Alvenida, Mr. Vic Sotto and Ms. Malou Choa-Fagar, Mr. Joey de Leon and Ms. Evelyn Roxas, and Mr. Harry Tan and Mrs. Natividad Cheng.
THE CEREMONY. Aside from the vows, one unforgettable part of the entire ceremony is the thank-the-parents portion, which is a suggestion of the officiating pastor Bernard Marquez.
Ciara becomes emotional while thanking her famous parents for giving her a privileged life. For his part, Jojo says thank you to his parents, in-laws, Mr. T, whom he considers his second dad.
A video, featuring photos taken by Raymund Isaac, captures not only Ciara and Jojo but their love for each other. For a time, Ciara lived in Las Vegas but distance never became a hindrance for their relationship to grow stronger.
Despite a guest list containing the "Who's who" in showbiz and politics, the atmosphere is very positive, light, and full of warmth.
Jeffrey Hidalgo, UST Strings Orchestra, and friends of Ciara from UST Conservatory of Music serenade the guests. The repertoire consists of mostly classic pieces, like "Someone Like You," "The Nearness of You," "She," "Light of a Million Mornings," "You First Believed," "Feels Like Heaven," "With You I'm Born Again," "The First Time I Loved Forever," to name a few.
THE RECEPTION. Pia Guanio and Danica serve as the hosts. Vic looks pleased seeing his girlfriend and daughter together onstage. Pia even jokes, "For your hosting needs, you can contact our manager, Mr. Vic Sotto."
The AVP (audio visual presentation) titled A Flight To Forever has everyone's eyes glued to the screen. It sums up the couple's love story, as narrated by their closest friends and relatives.
People are all ears when when Vito, second son of Ciara's Ate Apple, makes a surprise speech. Later that night, the new Mrs. Oconer reveals that she and Vito are very close. "Katabi ko silang matulog!" she adds.
Tears flow once again when it's the dad's time to dance with his bunso. "Kasi si Daddy, tina-try niya akong i-divert. Alam mo, nagkamali ako...ang dami niyang kuwento. 'Tapos, niyakap ko na lang siya. Noong niyakap ko na siya, hindi ko na napigilan. Naiyak na lang talaga 'ko," Daddy's girl says.
Apple's eldest Romino wows the crowd with his a la Michael Jackson number, "Billie Jean."
After the brief program, the parents and newly-weds give their message.
Tito Sen, nickname of the bride's dad, says he's also going to speak on behalf of his wife, who's been crying that day. "Baka himatayin na," explains the Eat Bulaga! host.
Ciara brims with more thanks for the presence and support of the guests. "I'm very happy, I'm overwhelmed. I can't believe it's happening..." she exclaims repeatedly.
Jojo's mom, Ms. Cecilia Oconer, welcomes Ciara to their family.
As for Joe, he admits being in a "culture shock" because his family is just half of Ciara's clan. Nevertheless, he's very grateful for the warm welcome, and thanks the Gamboa and Sotto families.
He adds, "Kaniana I was listening to Ciara thanking almost everybody, but actually, I should thank her because she was the one who really thought about the whole wedding, who planned and organized everything..."
Ciara's response: "Thank you for giving me my dream wedding."
source: pep.p
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