A toddler drove a red bicycle down the aisle with a sign: “My favorite uncle is getting married.”
The wedding of the year in Mandaue City got underway yesterday afternoon with about 300 guests in the the National Shrine of St. Joseph and a crowd of almost 3,000 outside.
The shrine’s main door remained closed until it swung open about 3 p.m. for the entry of the bride in a white Cary Santiago designer gown with a long train.
Little girls in blue gowns and white flowers in their hair led the way.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY. Maricar Hofileña-Quisumbing kisses her husband’s grandfather Norberto Quisumbing, chairman of the Norkis Group of Companies. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Luigi Quisumbing and wife Maricar (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Rep. Luis Gabriel “Luigi” Quisumbing of the 6th district exchanged “ I do’s” with Ma. Carmen Carmela “Maricar” Hofilena, his crush in high school, whom he got reacquainted with over a year ago.
The petite bride who is from Silay City, Negros Occidental is based in Manila.
“It is God who blesses and sanctifies the couple,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who urged the couple, both 35, to always be inspired and happy with each other.
Rep. Luigi Quisumbing kisses his bride. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Newly weds Luigi and Maricar, with little Sophia, in a selfie with friends before the altar of St. Joseph’s Shrine in Mandaue City.
(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
The couple pose for a souvenir shot with DILG Sec. Mar Roxas who carries little Sophia. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Spectators crowded the church grounds to catch a glimpse of the couple and VIP guests, who were ferried on double deck tourist ses. New air-conditioners were installed in the church for the event.
The color scheme is Mayan blue for the flower girls and ladies. Guests arrived on board a double-deck tourist bus.
The wedding sponsors included Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras , Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Other guests in the power list included Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, SEC chairperson Teresita Gerbosa, Justice Hector Hofilena, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his sister, Ilocos Gov. Imee Marcos.
Mass readings were done by Tarlac Rep. Susan Yap-Sulit and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez. The candles, cord and veil were handled by Sen. JV Ejercito, Rachel Marguerite Del Mar, and Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.
Leyte Rep. Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez reads a Gospel passage. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
About 50 policemen, including SWAT members, watched the church grounds. For the dinner reception, a convoy of vehicles headed to the Radisson Hotel and sampled the traffic congestion caused by the recent road closure of S. Osmeña Road.
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