Love on a hill

Their love was sealed in a chapel on a hill and celebrated on a hilltop overlooking tomorrow.

Yet despite the presence of all the ingredients needed for a celebrity wedding, the Aquino-Gomez nuptials were exactly as the bride and groom wanted them to be   “light, fun and relatively private and intimate.” 

The Aquino name attracts the klieg lights, with its more than fair share of historical icons and present-day celebrities. It is the name to drop in this generation.

Add to an illustrious name one’s own illustrious record and one is apt to have a longer guest list, especially if one is poised to embark on the political triathlon.

Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is the nephew of martyred Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Jr. and the first cousin of President Benigno Aquino III. The son of Paul and Melanie Aquino, Bam is one of two Filipinos (the other being Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana) named as Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World by the Junior Chamber International. He hopes to embark on a political career with the anointment of the Liberal Party in next year’s elections.

President Noynoy Aquino with the newlyweds.

Mary Fatima “Timi” Gomez is a porcelain-skinned beauty working with Unilever Philippines and any wedding where she walks down the aisle is sure to be photogenic.

So when Bam took Timi for his bride at the Chapel on the Hill near Tagaytay City, their wedding was news. In fact, their wedding photo, with a smiling pinsan President Aquino by their side, made it to the country’s leading broadsheets the morning after. Yet despite their celebrity status  definitely not an overnight conferment  Bam and Timi succeeded in making their wedding simple and private.

“I feel very lucky to have had the wedding that we have always envisioned festive and full of our families’ and friends’ love and laughter,” says Timi, the daughter of Dr. Vince Gomez and his wife Carrie. “I know our life together will be like this as well.”

Their principal sponsors included Ariel Aguirre, Jose Feria Jr., Jose Luis Gomez, Daniel Lichauco, Ricardo Lim, Rafael Lopa, Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Abellada, Arlene Elaine Avelino, Ma. Cynthia Gomez, Elizabeth Mendoza, Geraldine Nakpil and Veronica Santos.

 “I think we were able to achieve our goal with the help of our coordinator, family and friends who all did more than expected of them,” adds Bam.  

Their dreamy wedding reception unfolded at the nearby Splendido Golf Club, which has a breathtaking view of Taal Volcano.

The food was Spanish-themed and it was a big hit with guests, who were requested to come in attire with a Filipiniana motif. The runners in the guests’ tables were especially made in Bukidnon by an NGO and they added color to the reception.

With their parents Dr. Vince and Carrie Gomez and Paul and Melanie Aquino and their principal sponsors.

“The most touching moment for me was when Timi said her vows,” says the love-struck groom, who as of this writing is honeymooning with his wife in Palawan. For his own vows, Bam composed a poem, a tula that he read to Timi. It brought tears to her eyes.

“Bam is an inspiring and generous partner,” gushes Timi. “I am super excited for this next chapter of our lives.”

Timi’s father Dr. Vince Gomez capped his speech with a song!

The wedding cake was a cupcake tower baked by Timi’s cousin while the giveaways were small indoor plants from Timi’s grandmother, Annie Lopez.

Bam says the best advice they got was from their ninong Jolly Gomez, “Keep Christ at the center of your relationship.”

Buong Tapang, Buong Buhay, Buong Puso

Hindi ko alam ang dadalhin ng bukas

Kung ito’y swerte o ito’y malas

Kung ito’y puno ng tamis o ito’y puno ng pait

Hindi ko alam ang bukas na ating makakamit

Timi Gomez-Aquino.

Mataas ang ating mga pangarap

Makukuha ba natin ang mga ito?

Magkapamilya, maayos na trabaho, gawaing bayan

Ang mga ito ba’y magiging totoo?

Sa landas na ating tatahakin

Marami palang di sigurado

Pero huwag mangamba, aking sinta

Dahil ito naman ang alam ko

Mamahalin kita

Bumagyo man o magkadelubyo

Sa hirap at ginahawa

Magkaisa ang ating puso

Mamahalin kita

Na walang kundisyon

Buong puso, buong buhay

Sa anupamang sitwasyon

Mamahalin kita

Ipapahid ang ‘yong mga luha

Gagawin ang lahat

Na ang luha’y maging tawa

At mamahalin kita

At ating mga anak

Masaya’t masaganang pamilya

Aking tinitiyak

Handa na ako mahal

At alam ko handa ka na rin

Ang bago nating umaga, ang bagong bukang liwayway

Hawak kamay, buong tapang, buong buhay, buong puso nating haharapin.

– Bam Aquino to his bride Timi Gomez, Sept. 15, 2012

(You may e-mail me at [email protected].)