In front of about 2,000 guests, Vice Presidential candidate Senator Mar Araneta Roxas and broadcaster Korina Sanchez sealed their wedding vows at the Santo. Domingo Church in Quezon City with a 10-second kiss, according to PEP's scoopbox tweet, capping off the couple's much publicized five-year romance.
Roxas vowed to her, "I love you as you are. You are precious to me. I am happy we are together and truly thank you for taking me and putting up with me. I give myself to you as your best friend to applaud when you succeed and help and encourage when you stumble..."
Sanchez told him, "Minamahal kong Mar, matagal ang panahong lumipas na tayo ay nagsarili ng landas at naghintay ng pagkakataong ito. Tayo ngayon ay pinagpala ng tadhana at ng Panginoon na mahanap ang isa't isa. Totoo pala na ang pangarap ay nagaganap. Ikaw ang katuparan ng lahat ng aking hinintay at minimithi ng aking puso na maging kasama, karamay, kaibigan at kakampi. Ikaw ang aking pinili upang alayan ng lahat ng iyong kakailanganin sa isang kasama at katabi sa buhay sa abot ng aking makakaya."
Bucking tradition, Sanchez did not wear a veil but walked to the church's entrance inside what seemed like a moving white tent of white canvas held by an entourage of assistants and bodyguards and barring spectators from seeing her until a sort of "grand unveiling" at the church doors. Sanchez looked like a "mistulang diyosa," as an ABS-CBN reporter put it, in a hand- embroidered, off-the-shoulder piņa gown by designer Pepito Albert. Roxas wore a Barong Tagalog by Randy Ortiz.
Sanchez, whose parents have passed away, marched down the aisle with her brothers Milano and Mickey Sanchez to the classical version of "Umagang Kay Ganda" played by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Both Sanchez and Roxas teared up upon seeing each other inside the church. Just before the start of their walk to the altar, Roxas smiled and gave Sanchez a salute.
Basil Valdez sang "Ngayon at Kailanman" after the ceremony. At the church's courtyard, simple fare like puto, brownies and dalandan juice were served. It is said that what was supposed to be their P3 million budget for a more lavish reception would be instead donated to charity. Afterwards, the couple's entourage, family and close friends left to attend an exclusive dinner at the Aranetas' ancestral home in Cubao called Bahay na Puti.
Pinky Webb, Ging Reyes and Divine Lee were among Sanchez's 12 bridesmaids. Paolo, Roxas' teenage son was the best man, Baby James Yap the ringbearer, while Ted Failon, Charo Santos, June Keithley and Angelo Castro were part of the offertory. Seven archbishops blessed the couple including Archbishop Angel Lagdameo who presided over the ceremony. Father Tito Caluag officiated the wedding.
Ninongs and ninangs included Sanchez' former flame and Presidential candidate Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Chief Justice Reynaldo Puno, ABS-CBN CEO Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III, former Senator Jovito Salonga, Jorge Araneta, Cheche Lazaro, Maria Fores, Ruby Roxas, Rosa Rosal and Helen Costales.
Prominent guests included US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Vice President Noli de Castro, former President Joseph Estrada, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, former Senator Franklin Drilon and celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vicki Belo. About a thousand spectators camped outside the church since 7 a.m.
The couple leaves tomorrow for a short "pre-honeymoon" in Japan before the real honeymoon in December.
Click here for a 360 ° look at the Mar-Korina Wedding.
