A Highland Wedding

Sorry guys, I know some of you have been waiting for my blog about the Claudine and Raymart wedding at Tagaytay Highlands. It was one of the most beautiful wedding celebrations I've ever attended. The venue was picture perfect, with the well manicured green and a view of the mountains beyond. It drizzled just before the ceremony so people had to leave their chairs and duck for cover. Fortunately, after 10 minutes or so, the strong highland winds blew the dark clouds away.

The wedding had a relaxed atmosphere with a christian pastor from the couple's church officiating. What really struck everyone were the couple's personalized wedding vows. And while both were emotional, it was the groom who made the guests cry. Raymart said something like "Exactly forty-six years ago a love story started.. and even with the death of Papa.. their love story continues in us" or something to that effect. So for those who are thinking that Claudine was insensitive to make March 27 their wedding date when Rico's death anniversary is March 29, well... March 27 is meaningful to the couple because it was also Raymart's parents' wedding date. Raymart tried to inject some humor in his vow by saying "Papa, I know you're smiling up there, Mama I know you're crying down here" but it ended up being heartwarming. Raymart ended by saying something like, "I thank God he allowed me to fall inlove with you, so that I also will fall inlove with Him...You are my joy, my life, my love, my wife."

An ABS-CBN chopper scattered rose petals over the grounds

It was a happy occasion all in all, though I overheard some people saying it would have been much more complete if estranged sister Gretchen showed up.

Anyway, I'm re-publishing an article I wrote for the free tabloid Starbliz that comes out every Friday. The article came out a week before Claudine's wedding.

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They both want peace...

Kahit pilit nilang nilalayo ang sarili sa isa't isa, marami pa rin ang nagtatanong kung pupunta ang big sister ni Claudine Barreto na si Gretchen sa kasal nito sa Lunes, March 27. Well, judging from their actions, the answer is no. Gretchen said so herself. Nang ma-corner siya ng TV Patrol crew sa celebrity bazaar ni Ruffa Guttierez, ito ang sagot ni La Greta sa tanong kung pupunta siya sa wedding ng kanyang sister, "Hinde, kase I want peace in my life. I stay away from trouble, thank you!". So unless balak ni Gretchen agawin ang eksena sa Barreto-Santiago Nuptials, mas mabuti pang wag na lang siyang mag-appear. Anyway, hindi rin naman siya invited. Sa isang article sa latest issue ng Metro Magazine kung saan cover sina Claudine at Raymart, ito naman ang sagot ni Claudine sa tanong kung inimbita ba niya si Gretchen, "Can I have a peaceful wedding please?".

Marami ang nanghihinayang sa nangyari sa magkakapatid na Barreto. Let's do a quick re-cap of events. Nagsimula lang daw umano ang lahat nang tawagan ni Dennis Padilla si Gretchen upang kwestyunin kung bakit binigyan ng show si Willie Revillame sa ABC 5. Gretchen's partner is Tonyboy Cojuangco, ang may-ari lang naman ng istasyon. Medyo naging masama ang takbo ng usapan at dito umano dumating sa punto na "pinalayas" ni Gretchen sina Dennis at Marjorie sa bahay na tinitirhan nila na pag-aari niya. From this incident, lalong nagkagulo ang pamilya Barreto at naging Gretchen vs. the Barretos. Who knows baka malalim na rin ang pinanggalingan ng kanilang "tampuhan" and we can never really understand why. Madali kasing magsalita na bakit di na lang sila magbati-bati, after all, blood is thicker than water. Pero we cannot really judge them at this point. It's safer to say they have their own reasons at umaasa na lang tayo na sa bandang huli, it will be a happy ending.

In any case, inaabangan na ng lahat ang kasal nina Claudine at Raymart sa Tagaytay Highlands. Judging from the preparations and the people involved, walang dudang ito na ang "Wedding of the Year". Pero akalain nyo bang around 350 guests lang ang invited sa wedding? Sadya raw limitado ang guests at talagang ang malalapit lang sa couple ang inimbita para masiguradong solemn ang kasal.

Parehong Christian sina Claudine at Raymart kaya't okay lang na sa golf course ang wedding ceremony. Nagpagawa pa sila ng gazebo kung saan sila mag-e-exchange ng kanilang "i dos". Ayon sa wedding coordinator, neo-classic daw ang tema ng venue. Mala pelikulang Pride and Prejudice with a modern twist. Ang color motif ng kasal ay ang kulay ng spring o pastel colors. Ang sikat na designer na si Randy Ortiz ang gagawa ng wedding gown ni Claudine at suit ni Raymart, pati na rin ng buong entourage. Kabilang sa tatayong mga ninong at ninang ang dating pangulong Joseph Estrada, Susan Roces, Helen Gamboa, mga big bosses ng ABS-CBN at GMA 7 at iba pang malalapit sa couple. Para sa kanilang honeymoon, lilipad sila sa exclusive beach resort ng Amanpulo, Palawan at pagkatapos ay pupunta rin sila sa Europe.

Ang exclusive coverage ng Claudine-Raymart wedding ay mapapanood sa TV Patrol sa Lunes.