Everybody was accounted for – from the principal sponsors led by Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte and Helen Gamboa-Sotto to the secondary sponsors (with Kris Aquino as one of the Maids of Honor) and the select invited guests who were informed by text of the last-minute (the second) change of venue, originally from the Blue Gardens on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, to the Fernwood Gardens (favorite place of celebrations by showbiz folks), same city.
But where, oh, where was Cecilia Trono-Jickain, mother of the groom? She didn’t show up, true to speculations that she would "snub" the wedding. Or did she? She was reportedly sick. But, heavens, of all the 365 days of 2006 why did she choose to get sick on that day? Martin’s aunt came and took the place of the absentee mom at the front-row seats at the ceremony, beside Martin’s father, former priest Edmundo Jickain, and Martin’s younger brother, model Luke Jickain.
Aiko’s biological father, Jimi Melendez, is dead; while her stepfather was not present, so it was Wyngard Tracy, Aiko’s manager, who gave her away. Aiko’s mom, Elsie Blardony, was teary-eyed as she watched Martin take Aiko to the altar.
The ceremony started at 5 o’clock and lasted way past 7:30, capped by a music-filled dinner where Martin made the anti-climactic announcement (in his own words): "Kahapon, we went to the doctor. Ayun, magkaka-baby na kami."
Aiko’s condition is described by her doctor as "elective pregnancy" because she has "pre-eclampsia" which induces hypertension during pregnancy. Thus, she’ll deliver her and Martin’s baby sometime in September by Caesarian section like she did her first child, Andre (by ex-husband Jomari Yllana).
Radiant in gown with a low neckline, Aiko did look "expectant" while Martin appeared tense all time. Brother Luke patted Martin on the shoulder every now and then, as if to say, "Relax!"
During an inspirational talk midway through the wedding ceremony, Martin’s dad recalled that the night before, he had a heart-to-heart talk with Martin who told him that he was "nervous." So, according to Edmundo, he asked Martin, "Do you love Aiko?" Martin said yes, so Edmundo told him, "That’s the most important thing – you love her." That calmed Martin’s nerves.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)