Rochelle & Arthur put honeymoon on hold

Unlike most newlyweds who hie off to the honeymoon as soon as they swap “I do’s,” Rochelle Pangilinan and Arthur Solinap have decided to put theirs on hold. Well, work before play, after all they have been going steady for nine years and they have more than enough time to savor their togetherness.

The bride was radiant in Michael Cinco and the groom dapper in a Randy Ortiz ensemble as they promised to love and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, ‘till death do them part, at Christian rites solemnized at sunset in Los Arboles, Tagaytay, last Tuesday, Aug. 8, which happened to be their ninth anniversary as sweethearts. The ceremony was officiated by a pastor from the Victory Christian Fellowship to which the couple belongs.

Among the principal sponsors were Ogie Alcasid and wife Regine Velasquez who both dedicated songs to the newlyweds during the reception. Dulce, another principal sponsor, sang Prayer of Love. Jay Durias and a 14-piece band performed during the wedding ceremony.

Best Men were Michael V., John Feir, Carlo Gonzales and Dingdong Dantes (Arthur’s cousin) who connived in making the groom sing The Way You Look Tonight and acting as his back-up. It was Arthur’s first time to sing in public and he made his brand-new wife cry. Was she touched? The joke was that she recoiled in “embarrassment” when she heard Arthur’s voice.

Groomsmen were Eigenmann brothers Gabby and Geoff, and Dr. Hayden Kho (who came with wife-to-be Dr. Vicki Belo; they are getting married early next month in Paris).

Serving as Flower Girls were Jolina Magdangal, Angelika dela Cruz, Glaiza de Castro, Sunshine Garcia and Winwyn Marquez (who is among the candidates in the 2017 Miss World Philippines pageant slated early next month at the Mall Of Asia [MOA]). Among the secondary sponsors were Sunshine Dizon and Manilyn Reynes (cord). Marian Rivera begged off as veil sponsor because she had a shoot that day.

The affair wouldn’t be complete without the bride giving a production number as a nod to her Sexbomb days. Rochelle disappeared for a while and, voila, surprised Arthur when she emerged from a big box in front of him — out of her wedding gown.

Arthur with cousin Dingdong Dantes (second from left) and other Best Men in a production number

Led by the couple’s manager Perry Lansigan, the well-wishers included Vic Sotto and wife Pauleen Luna (who will be first-time parents in November), Joey de Leon and wife Eileen Macapagal, Gina Alajar, Malou Choa-Fagar, Joy Cancio (founder of the Sexbomb Dancers) and GMA executive Lilybeth Rasonable.

The couple couldn’t agree how many children they would have. Arthur said he wanted four and Rochelle begged his pardon, saying she wanted only two.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)