Why Celia cried (at last!) at her son’s wedding

In all her more than half a century in showbiz, Celia Rodriguez graced more than a dozen weddings in some of the (more or less) 200  movies she has done. Make-believe weddings. In real life, she has stood as principal sponsor of showbiz weddings including those of Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano, Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, and Jolina Magdangal and Mark Escueta.

At the reception last July 15 at the Sampaguita Events Place.

“I still remember how beautiful the brides were,” Celia told Funfare. “Si Marian, napaka-ganda, parang fairy.”

Believe it or not but all through those weddings, reel and real, Celia never cried. “Yes, I was touched,” admitted Celia who has never experienced walking down the aisle as a bride, “but never akong umiyak.”

Angelo and Bridget with sister Camille and mom Celia.

That is, not until last February when her son, Dr. Angelo Araullo, and his long-time girlfriend Bridget Jelfs, a neuro-natal nurse, got married at Angelican rites at the St. Aidan’s Angelican Church in Sydney where Angelo is based for nine years now.

Celia with the bride’s parents Paul and Patricia Jelfs.

“I couldn’t help it,” said Celia. “Angelo is my unico hijo, my only son, the apple of my eyes. As I watched him and Bridget walking down the aisle, iyak ako nang iyak; hindi ko mapigilan. So that is how a mother feels when her son is getting married.”

The couple with Dr. Eduardo Jamora (with glasses), Gary Jamora, Jenny Jamora and Gussy Barrios

Angelo, 45, is the eldest of Celia’s three children; after him came Jackie (“Who is now in heaven,” as Celia puts it) and Camille. He finished a Pre-Medicine course in California where Celia and her children lived for many years and then took up Medicine Proper at La Salle Dasmariñas (Cavite). One of Angelo’s classmates was Antipolo City Mayor (Dr.) Jun Ynares who was among the guests at the second reception held last July 15 at the Sampaguita Events Place.

Celia, Pilita Corrales and Chito Roño

The sweethearts first met at a party where most of the guests were Filipinos. “Bridget is comfortable with Filipinos,” said Celia. “She is one of five children. Her sister is getting married to an Indonesian late this year.” Angelo and Bridget clicked during that first meeting. Movie and dinner dates followed and soon, they began going steady. “Bridget has visited the Philippines with Angelo three times,” so during the July 15 reception, she felt at home.

Celia with (from left) Gloria Romero, Barbara Perez, Robert Arevalo and Mother Lily Monteverde

“We have to host another reception here for relatives and friends who were not able to fly to Sydney last February,” said Celia. “But even those who were at the Sydney reception came here to celebrate with us.”

In her thank-you speech at the reception, Celia told the guests that she wanted Angelo and Bridget to give her 27 (count ‘em!) grandchildren.

Celia with Gloria and sisters Aurora Barrios (second from left) and Maria Paz Hidalgo.

“There’s nothing like it,” Barbara Perez, also a guest, told Celia. Barbara and husband Robert Arevalo are certified lola and lolo.

“I want those 27 little Araullos roaming in my place,” Celia said wistfully. “I want them singing and dancing around me.”

With Angelo’s college friends led by Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares (rightmost)

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

Celia with Fanny Serrano (leftmost), Bangbang and Boydee Dizon