Robin,Mariel: What wedding?

CEBU, Philippines - Robin Padilla has apologized for the report that he wed Mariel Rodriguez in Baguio City last Sept. 13, dismissing it as a huge mix-up.

In a Pep.ph report, Robin said that no wedding occurred, contrary to the reports that have come out in the media.

Robin also implied in the same Pep report that the “wedding” was for a show that they are doing for their mother network.

The wedding was first reported by TV Patrol last Sept. 16, saying that Robin and Mariel wed twice, first in an Ibaloi ceremony, followed by rites officiated by a pastor. It was then picked up by various media outlets, including The Philippine Star. The paper reported: “Jimmy Ong, the ‘mambunong’ or native priest who performed the Ibaloi ceremony, confirmed to ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the ceremony took place last Sept. 13 at 3 p.m.

“Ong said he initially thought he was just attending a shooting, but was caught by surprise when he found the couple (Robin and Mariel) wearing the traditional clothes of the Ibaloi.

“Tanong daw ni Ong kay Robin: Kasal ba talaga ito? Sabi niya, Oo, kasal talaga. Kaya sinimulan ko na.

“Uminom ng rice wine at sumayaw ng Tayao ang dalawa to show that they are officially married, ayon kay Ong.

“‘Ang kasal na ito ay legal sa kultura ng mga Igorot, binabasbasan ko sila na hanggang kamatayan magsasama sila,’ ayon sa mambunong.”

So, why has the couple denied that a wedding ever happened? Was it simply a publicity stunt for their new show?

Nevertheless, statements from family and loved ones suggest otherwise. On the entertainment news program “E-Live” last Saturday, Mariel’s grandparents, whom she grew up with, admitted that they were shocked with the “wedding.”

Mariel’s lolo, Raffy Sazon, said of his reaction: “Well, surprised, of course. I knew about it when Mariel texted me. Sabi niya, ‘Lolo what do you think of an Igorot wedding?’ Sabi ko, ‘Well that’s great. Type ko yan, maganda yan, just let me know kung kailan.’ Tapos matagal bago siya nag-text back. Sabi niya, ‘Lolo tapos na.’”

Meantime, the Ibaloi native priest who officiated the ceremony is reportedly dismayed by the denial, according to ABS-CBNnews.com, saying that the action star and the TV host-actress are “ashamed” of the Igorot culture.

But Ong maintained that Padilla and Rodriguez got married last week in Ibaloi rites, and stressed that it was sacred and binding.