Shalani, Roman say 'forever' in simple, elegant rites

MANILA, Philippines – (Update2: 10:30 PM) – He waited 44 years, but when the right girl came along, they didn’t take long to decide on “forever.”

In simple but elegant rites at St. Benedict Church in Ayala Westgrove in Silang, Cavite, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo and TV5 host and Valenzuela councilor Shalani Soledad tied the knot early Sunday evening.

Though simple, all details of the wedding were done so tastefully that it was billed, both because of the couple’s power status and the VIP list of sponsors and guests, as the wedding of the year.

As picture-perfect as the church set-up was the “dreamland” ambience in the reception site, at the Nuvali dockside in nearby Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Soledad, as expected, exuded a luminous beauty in an Inno Sotto gown. She arrived at the church a little past 5 with her mother Evelyn San Ramon. An uncle, Mon Soledad, walked her down the aisle.

Romulo's parents, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and wife Lovely, looked quite excited as they arrived earlier in church.

Dreamland reception

A veritable dream land: that’s how guests described the peaceful and beautiful reception site.

Everything about the preparation was simple yet regal and tasteful, with touches of the color motif of beige and violet. From the table centerpiece to the smallest flower detail on the side, everything was picture-perfect, in keeping with the personalities of the power couple.

The chef and organizer of the reception whipped up a “Filipino with a twist” 4-course meal for the sit-down dinner.

The course included: salmon with romaine lettuce, garlic and herb croutons and spicy longanisa, chicken binakol soup with spinach from Baguio.

The main course was roast angus rib eye with bistek Tagalog sauce.

For dessert, VIP guests were treated to queso de bola cheesecake.

Spectacular cake, fireworks display

The spectacular 5-layer banana walnut fondant cake---described as shining, shimmering, splendid with its swarovski crystals---was a scene stealer.

And in a manner of “killing two birds with one stone,” the newly-weds and guests ushered in the Chinese New Year with a grand fireworks display.

And, because the bride falls for dirty ice cream, a dirty ice cream stand was set up for people to gather around while awaiting the newlyweds.

Happily ever after for charming Kapatid host

Feng shui experts believe that to be married on Chinese New Year’s Eve, today, is auspicious. And those who’ve been watching Valenzuela councilor and TV personality Shalani’s romantic life are wishing that it’s happily ever after for the charming Kapatid co-host of “Wil Time Big Time.”

Shalani, 31, and Roman, 44, were engaged in September last year.

Earlier this month, the couple had expressed their desire to keep the celebration as simple and private as possible, only among family members and their closest friends. The couple, however, has allowed a select list of media members from print and broadcast to cover the wedding.

Power cast of sponsors

The couple’s entourage included 22 principal wedding sponsors and 21 flower girls. Among them are TV5 Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Bench founder Ben Chan, San Miguel president and CEO Ramon Ang, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar, Amb. Antonio Cabangon Chua and Senator Ping Lacson.

Fortune General Insurance chairman and CEO J. Antonio Cabangon was Roman’s Best Man. The Matron of Honor is Shalani’s childhood friend Joy Marie Castellvi. The list of groomsmen includes Rep. Rudy Fariñas and Rep. Anton Lagdameo, husband of actress Dawn Zulueta. Among the bridesmaids are Catherine May Hervas, Annaliza Jacinto, and Diamond Villar.

For offerers, the couple asked good friends Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman and Representative Toby Tiangco to do that part.

Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez and broadcaster Karen Davila were tapped as readers during the Mass.

Topnotch wedding suppliers made sure Shalani got her dream wedding. Celebrity chef Florabel Co prepared the sit-down dinner for 700 guests.

Marichelle Ligon of Bride’s Maid & Co. was tapped as wedding coordinator. Award-winning bakers Penk Ching and Shen Ratilla created an elegant wedding cake based on Shalani’s Inno Sotto gown, which consists of a 17-layer tulle skirt and a bit of sparkle.

Events stylist Zenas Pineda created an all-white setting of casablancas and roses at the church while the reception followed the lilac and green motif, with flowers like lilacs, hyacinths, and cabbage roses as part of the table arrangements.

For the couple’s giveaways, Roman’s parents provided St. Benedict medallions blessed by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.

source: interaksyon.com

Uncle to escort Shalani Soledad down the aisle

MANILA, Philippines – Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad has chosen her uncle Mon Soledad to walk her down the aisle at her wedding with Congressman Roman Romulo on Jan. 22.

The TV host-politician made the revelation during a pre-wedding reception held at the Manila Polo Club in Makati on Jan. 17, which was tendered for the soon-to-be husband-and-wife’s constituents who will not be able to attend their wedding.

Her uncle looked to have gotten emotional over Shalani’s announcement.

“Sana pagpasensyahan niyo ko, hindi ako handa,” he tearfully said in an interview aired on “Bandila,” Tuesday night.

It was just in 2010 when Shalani got reunited with her biological father, former bank chairman Adolfo Aguirre.

Instead of hiring a professional events planner, Roman’s sister, Mons Romulo, took it upon herself to organize the affair. She told “Bandila” in a separate interview, “Gusto rin naman namin [na may] personal touch namin [itong event]. Parang it’s our way of welcoming Shalani also to our family.”

Shalani and Roman performed their theme song that night, the OPM classic, “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko," which apparently symbolizes their promise to forever.

The couple, who will exchange vows at St. Benedict Church in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, trimmed their wedding budget in order to give donations for Typhoon Sendong victims. They will also hand out some gifts to affected families, according to “Bandila.”

Shalani was elegantly stunning at the reception, wearing a gold sleeveless v-neck long gown by Inno Sotto, who also designed her traje de boda.

As for their wedding, Shalani had this to say: “I just want it simple lang, not too much details.”

Shalani also related to “Bandila” that aside from their current respective residences, she and Roman “want to have a house of our own both in Pasig and Valenzuela.”

She is grateful for all the support they have been receiving. In one of her earlier tweets this year, Shalani said, “for all the well wishes - thank you! May we all have a happy 2012! :).”

source: mb.com.ph