Yes, the recently held wedding of popular and long-time lovers Zoren Legaspi and Carmina Villaroel at Fernbrook Garden in Alabang was a wedding like no other. Because the bride did not know she was getting married that day (it was a big surprise concocted by the groom). Because the details were kept under wraps, with the connivance of those involved, friends and co-workers of Carmina at ABS-CBN, and even the children of the couple, twins Cassie and Maverick.
All Carmina knew was that their family was going to shoot a commercial for Selecta ice cream which they endorse and that they were supposed to be in formal attires (she used a Paul Cabral gown). She broke to tears when she learned it was going to be a civil wedding, after Zoren knelt before her and proposed with a diamond ring in his hands.
The couple has been living together for 12 years, after Carmina and first husband Rustom Padilla (who admitted he was gay during his "Pinoy Big Brother" stint and is now known as BB Gandanghari) separated just two years after they got married. A year after Zoren and Carmina became an item, Carmina gave birth to their twins in the US.
It has always been Zoren's plan to marry Carmina but it was only this year that he could legally do so.
By the way, their wedding sponsors included Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Ben Chan, Grace Poe Llamanzares, Cory Vidanes, Eric Quizon, John Concepcion and Felix Ang.
The Zoren-Carmina nuptial will be aired on ABS-CBN on Nov. 24, after "Maalaala Mo Kaya." Watch out for it.
• • •
EastWest Sponsors 'King And I'
Theater aficionados and EastWest clients got a chance to witness the music and spectacular production of one of theater's most beloved classics as EastWest partnered with Resorts World Manila to bring onstage the Tony-award winning musical play, "The King and I."
Staying committed to its entrepreneurial and go-getting spirit, EastWest sponsored "The King and I" for the enjoyment of music loving Filipinos.
The local production of "The King and I" featured performances by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philippine Ballet Theater. Veteran concert and theater director Freddie Santos directs while internationally renowned theater actors Leo Valdez (as the King) and Monique Wilson (as Anna) portray the title roles.
In August this year, EastWest Bank formally acquired its universal banking license after a successful initial public offering (IPO).
• • •
Ms. RWM To Be Crowned Tonight
Tonight, Nov. 23, Ms. Resorts World Manila 2012 will be crowned at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) to replace Princess Angela Abella, last year's title holder. The winner will be chosen from 20 finalists who underwent modeling workshops conducted by international model and former VJ, Joey Mead, at the Genting Club of Maxims Hotel. After which, they were styled by Pam Quinones and shot by Mark Nicdao for the 2013 Resorts World calendar.
This month, the finalists also went through a series of fashion, styling and talent shows as well as Personality Development Training and "Amazing Race"-type challenges to prep them for the Final Runway tonight which marks the beginning of the Grand Fiesta 2012.
The finalists (some of them known models and showbiz personalities) will compete in a lingerie brand Fashion Show-inspired Final Runway where they will showcase creations by Cebu Designers' Guild led by Cebu's fashion icon Philip Rodriguez.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 23, go to Kapuso star Maxene Magalona, Mrs. Siony Prioreschi, Maridel Villavicencio, Bert and Aida Rejano, Clemencita Romero, Loleng Africa, New York-based Queenie F. Perez, John Foster Francois Rutherford Corpuz Doles IV, and Dominique Llamas of Star Magic... Happy wedding anniversary to Romy and Nita Magat...
