Christopher & Sandy: A time to wed, a time to heal - FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo

The sun was about to set when Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong (finally!!!) got married in Catholic rites the other day (Tuesday, March 27) at the Caleruega Retreat House in Tagaytay City, very cool and cozy at 5 p.m. even in this searing summer season.

Married in civil rites at their Para-naque home four years ago, Christopher and Sandy again vowed to have and to hold, to cherish and treasure each other for richer or poorer... till death do us part at the simple but solemn wedding officiated by the couple’s friend (and adviser at the Oasis of Love), Fr. Sonny Ramirez, who rushed home purposely for the event during the weekend from the States (where he’s doing a TV Lenten presentation) and flew right back to the States yesterday.

That’s what friends are for, isn’t it?

It was a "family affair," all right, but the couple’s friends were all accounted for to share with them their one moment in time. Christopher’s US-based mom, the Lilia Dizon (now happily married to an American), was present and so were Christopher’s sisters Pinky and Lara Melissa, and his and Sandy’s five children (Rafael a.k.a. Sandino, Miguel, Gabriel, Maria Angelica and Micaela).

The 70-plus guests included the couple’s bosom buddies: Michael de Mesa and Gina Alajar, Rio Diaz and Charlie Cojuangco, Laurice Guillen and Johnny Delgado, Edgar Mortiz and wife Millette (Santos), Tirso Cruz III and Lyn (Ynchausti), Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz, Rez Cortez and wife Candy.

Ian de Leon, Christopher’s son with Nora Aunor (conspicuously absent because I don’t think she was invited in the first place) also came, and so did his and Nora’s adopted daughters Lotlot de Leon (with husband Ramon Christopher) and Matet (who came late, but in time for the reception).

There were only four principal sponsors, three of whom were FPJ, Lilibeth Perez-Nakpil and Danding Cojuangco (represented by son Charlie).

Later in the evening, Cavite Gov. Bong Revilla arrived, right smack into the reception at the nearby Gourmet Cafe (owned by the couple’s friend, Ernest Escaler) which was highlighted by dramatic moments, such as when Christopher and Mom Lilia bridged a quiet gap (Fr. Sonny called it a "rift") with a tight and tearful hug (duplicated a moment later by Sandy and Mom Lilia), and when the kids were asked to say something to their Nanay and Tatay (that’s how they address their parents... very Filipino, indeed!).

Everybody was soon sniffing and choking on emotion and wiping a tear, with the dramatic tone reaching its peak when Lotlot occupied centerstage and read a very touching letter for her Nanay and Tatay, thanking (especially) her Nanay (Sandy) "for welcoming us with open arms," adding that she has realized "how much Nanay and Tatay love us and love each other."

Midway through her emotional little speech, Lotlot was overcome with emotion and had to stop for a while. Then, she said, addressing her Nanay and Tatay, "You are a good example of a happy couple who are still together through thick and thin. I really value how you love each other."

When Lotlot was through, not an eye was dry; the whole Gourmet Cafe was silently reverberating with little sobs and muffled coughing. It was very emotional, reminiscent of those highly-charged dramatic scenes in Christopher’s starrers.

There were also light moments, of course, especially when the guests started roasting the couple. When the Spirit of ’67 began playing nostalgic, romantic songs, everybody was in the mood for love. Spirited dancing followed. It was a great celebration not only of the union of two people passionately in love with each other but of life itself - and blissful togetherness (of Christopher and Sandy and other happy couples in the crowd as well).

The wedding served not only as a means for Christopher and Sandy to renew their vows but also to heal whatever little wounds there were among the family members, a very Christian event in the true sense of the faith. After all, you’re not true a Christian if you can’t or don’t know how to forgive, are you? The essence of Christianity, as embodied in The Lord’s Prayer, is forgiveness and forgiving (Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinner against us...).

The "newly-weds" are now in Anilao, Batangas, for their "honeymoon."