Living happily... and now legally... ever after!

Pagkahaba-haba man daw ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.

For Amy Perez and Carlo Castillo, it took their “procession” eight years to reach the church, no thanks to an impediment that, thankfully, didn’t stop the sweethearts from living happily ever after. They (finally, finally!) got married at a garden wedding at the Mango Farm in Antipolo City last Wednesday, Nov. 12, three weeks after his anti-climatic proposal.

Amy announced the date of the wedding first week of October on the ABS-CBN show Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG) which she co-hosts.

Love will find a way — true love, that is. Because in Amy’s case, love has proven, to use a cliché, to be lovelier the second time around, more comfortable the second time you fall (not with a thud but right smack on a soft couch).

After a failed marriage to former South Border vocalist Brix Ferraris, Amy fought, as another cliché goes, tooth and nail to have that union dissolved?legally?and got an annulment only a few years ago when she and Carlo, now a TV5 reporter (formerly with ABS-CBN), were already starting their own family.

Amy has a son with Brix (who, according to reports, is now living in the States), Adi, who’s going on 17. It was the binatilyo who gave away his mom at the wedding witnessed only by relatives (Amy’s cousins Robin Padilla and wife Mariel Rodriguez, and Lorna Tolentino) and close friends (among them Julius Babao and wife Tintin Bersola, Karylle and husband Yael Yuzon, Cheryl Cosim and APO Buboy Garovillo).

“I didn’t want to cry during the ceremony,” Amy told Funfare in a phone interview. “Muntik na pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.”

Now into what she described as “a new journey in my life,” mentioning in passing but without elaborating what she has gone through, Amy thanked those who were sharing her and Carlo’s “moment in time.” The radiant bride was all smiles as she walked down the aisle, led along by the haunting rendition of Come What May by Agot Isidro.

The couple has two children, Sean Kyle (turning six years old in December) and Isaiah (two years old in January next year). Carlo treats Adi like his own child, Amy told Funfare in a past interview.

How soon (if ever they would) will they start on their third “joint venture” (maybe a daughter next time)?

Amy is keeping her fingers crossed, as if to say, “In God’s own time.”

The newly-weds left yesterday for some private time, just the two of them (naturally!), with their children left in the care of Amy’s mom (who is Amy’s “wind beneath her wings,” standing by her through it all).

A belated, ehem, honeymoon?

“Ganoon?” laughed Amy. (The honeymoon proper was long over though their “journey” together has been virtually an extended honeymoon.) “Cruise lang around Asia.”

I have to end today’s story by quoting the couple’s marriage vows.

= From Carlo:

Minahal kita KAHAPON, minamahal kita NGAYON, at patuloy kitang MAMAHALIN bukas at sa mga susunod pang araw.

= From Amy (addressing not just Carlo but also their three children):

This is it! This day is a completion of God’s Love for us. 

And I want to thank you for teaching me to love God before you! And for always being there for me no matter what! You truly are my source of strength and inspiration. 

We have endured through a lot, but in all those trials you have always proven your love for me and our boys. I promise to be here for you, ready to scratch your butt every time that you can’t sleep. Cook your favorite feel good comfort food and watch a movie together or even finding new adventures together in life which I will forever hold dear. (Basta wag lang sumakay sa roller coaster o sky dive. Hindi ko kaya talaga ‘yon, Dada. Maaga kang magiging byudo).

I hope and pray you will not get tired flushing the toilet for me in the middle of the night or even removing my falling hair sa sink and best of all putting new toilet paper every time pa-ubos na!!! Appreciate you doing all that for me! 

Seriously, I vow to have the patience that love demands. I promise to nurture your dreams, I promise to be your partner in all things, slightly na prove na natin ‘yan kasi eight years na tayo.

In sickness and in health, I promise to take care of you and never get tired of each other. Lastly, I promise to be faithful and supportive and to always make our family’s love and happiness my priority. Love you much, my Babe. 

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)