Why James (and Tania) put their church wedding 'on hold'

They got married in civil rites on June 16, 2002, but they put their church wedding “on hold” as they waited to have children — Joaquin Iñigo, four years old; and James Sebastian, two — so they could march down the aisle with them.

So last Feb. 8, James Blanco and Tania Precy Creighton had their grand wedding with their sons as ring-bearers catered by Josiah’s Catering which was also behind celebrity weddings like those of Julius Babao and Tintin Bersola, Vandolph and Jenny Solimao, Chesca Garcia and Douglas Kramer, and Ricki Kwek and Chris Mathay.

“Mas masaya, di ba?” said James who met Tania, a commercial model (the only child of a New Zealander father and a Filipino mother) through Popoy Caritativo, his former manager. James himself was discovered via a commercial (for Lifebuoy).

Romantically linked to, if memory serves me right, only one actress (then fresh from La Salle and starting in showbiz and now soaring in popularity), James was attracted to Tania because of her being maka-Diyos.

“She was born in New Zealand where she spent her early years. She came to stay when she was 15. She has adjusted very well to the Filipino lifestyle. Kapag foreigner ang isang girl, people think that she’s liberated. Si Tania madasalin. We have many things in common. Hindi kami mahilig gumimik, hindi kami palalabas; we prefer a quiet life. Walang bisyo.”

As a father, James said he’s a spoiler.

“That’s what my wife said,” he laughed. “My wife is the disciplinarian in the family.”

Last seen in the Star Cinema movie One More Chance (with John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo) and in the ABS-CBN sitcom Parekoy, James will soon be seen in Otoy, another ABS-CBN sitcom starring Dolphy and Makisig Morales. It’s a pity that he doesn’t get more movie offers since he has developed into a fine actor.

Between film/TV offers, James plays in all-star basketball exhibitions mostly in the provinces (the latest having been in Bohol and the Pharmaton-sponsored games). He’s also a rice wholesaler and a part-time concert-producer (two shows so far).

He’s now set to produce an indie movie called Watawat, his initial venture directed by newcomer Dave Cecilio, in which James plays Andres Bonifacio.

“That’s why I’m trying to get a tan,” said James. “Di ba medyo maitim si Bonifacio?”

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