Matteo talks about his and Sarah’s dream wedding

‘Why did I join the Philippine Army? I guess it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do…It’s another way to serve the country.’

While Sarah Geronimo plays coy when asked about her love life, her boyfriend (fiancé?) Matteo Guidicelli is the opposite. Asked by Funfare once and for all, in all honesty, if he and Sarah have started discussing about marriage, Matteo said without batting an eyelash, “Of course, of course, marriage has been a topic,” adding in a Freudian slip, “we’ve been together for several years now.” (Sarah admitted that she and Matteo were going steady in 2014. A Fil-Italian, Matteo at 29 is two years younger than Sarah.)

There were reports that during a trip to Europe, just the two of them, he and Sarah got engaged. Was it an engagement ring that Sarah was wearing in a photo that spread on social media?

To both questions, Matteo neither confirmed nor denied, but simply said, ”Secret!” (In showbiz parlance, “secret” could be interpreted as yes.)

But Matteo is vocal about the kind of wedding he hoped to have.

“Just a simple and small wedding with family,” he said.   

But that would have to wait, especially now that Matteo has joined the Philippine Army as a reservist. Starting on Sunday, May 26, Matteo will undergo a 45-day Scout Ranger training at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.

Before that, Matteo will be kept busy with the promo of Sundo, his new single under Viva Records, his new record label. It will be formally launched on Friday, May 24, at Music Hall at Metrowalk, Pasig City. As she was during Matteo’s recent concert with Carlo Aquino at the Music Museum, Sarah will surely be there to give Matteo moral support.

An upbeat pop/rock rendition made popular by Imago, Sundo is about “searching high and wide for a special someone” as expressed in this line: Kay tagal kong sinusuyod and buong mundo para hanapin, para hanapin ka.” (No doubt he’s referring to Sarah, although it could refer to his finding a new home in Viva.) And this: Asahan mo mula ngayon, pag-ibig ko’y sa’yo. (Definitely, he means Sarah.)

After the recent presscon announcing the release of Sundo, Funfare did a one-on-one with Matteo.

Sarah Geronimo plays coy when asked about her relationship with Matteo Guidicelli who unabashedly speaks up. — Photo from ISGFan Instagram

What made you decide to join the army?

“I guess it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I feel like I have to do it. It’s another way to serve my country. I can do a lot through the army. We have a lot of projects with the army for the youth.”

What military activities are you participating in?

“Right now, we’ve been going around different schools, talking about ROTC, encouraging students to be a reservist because it trains them to develop discipline and a sense of nationalism and patriotism. So I think this is very important. And on May 26, I’ll be entering the military school. I’ll be gone for more than one month.”

Are you going to engage in combat (war, etc.)?

“When you join, they prepare you to be ready for an event of war. But that’s not the main objective. The main objective is to help out, to serve the country in national disasters, humanitarian efforts, feeding programs, and in inspiring the youth. You can do a lot of things as a reservist.”

Is it true that some people close to you (including Sarah) are against your joining the army (and how were you able to convince them)?

“In the beginning, you know, of course, my parents and Sarah were all hesitant for me to join the army because they thought that it meant going to war, etcetera, all the stuff.  In reality, in my position, it’s not about going to war, it’s about giving back to the country. It’s about my advocacy which is spreading nationalism, spreading patriotism. It’s showing the kids that this is also important. It teaches discipline and self-respect, and respect for the country. It’s a different avenue to give back to the country and support the soldiers who have been serving us and protecting us.”

Speaking of Sarah, did you and she get “secretly” engaged abroad (is she wearing an engagement ring)?

“Secret. Hehehe!!!”

Once and for all and honestly now, have you been discussing about marriage?

“Of course, of course. Marriage has been a topic. We’ve been together for several years now.”

If and when, what kind of wedding do you want?

“Just a simple and small wedding with family.”

Now that you are with Viva, can we expect a project with you and Sarah together?

“I don’t know…maybe in the future, we’ll see...The opportunities and the things we can do in Viva are endless and limitless. Let’s see what will happen.”

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