King asks for Boots’ hand in pamanhikan

It’s (almost) over and done with, except the big purple-motif wedding to be officiated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on June 14 when Boots Anson-Roa, 68, will march down the aisle to swap “I do’s” with lawyer Francisco “King” Rodrigo (who’s celebrating his 75th  birthday on that day) and become officially Mrs. Boots Anson-Roa-Rodrigo (BARR).

Last Sunday, Jan. 12, King finally formally asked Boots’ hand in marriage from her children and siblings at the traditional pamanhikan in which King’s relatives were also present.

“Boots and King are conservative,” related Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda, the couple’s would-be ninang, who was at the event with Susan Roces, another ninang, “so kailangan mayroon talaga pamanhikan.”

The June wedding will cap a courtship done by the romantic King through poems that he himself wrote. Boots has been a widow for more than seven years and King a widower for about that long. In December last year, Boots and some family members took  a break in Bali, Indonesia, but “my ehem” was not with them, Boots texted a friend.

Here’s Manay Ichu’s report (she suffered cramps from texting it to Funfare):

After the 5 p.m. Mass at the rooftop of Andrea Condominium (where Boots is staying), the two families faced each other at the altar. In front of Fr. Mon Bautista, who officiated the event, the Rodrigo family led by King’s 99-year-old mom Remedios “Medy” Rodrigo posed the big question to Boots — you know, something like,  “Are you giving your consent to let our son marry your mother?” (Of course, Boots has already given King a resounding “YES!” months ago pa!)

Aside from his mom, Team King was composed of his sisters Ditas and Pempe, brothers Boogie and Milo and their children, plus two sons of King’s with his late wife Olga and five of his eight grandchildren.

Team Boots was composed of her daughter Chiqui; son Joey; sister Vicky; brothers Nonoy and Alvin; two sisters of Pete Roa (Boots’ late husband); and Olga’s sister Tina and two brothers.

Special guest was former Pres. and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

It was Boogie who spoke for the Rodrigos: “On behalf of our mother, our children and apos, we would like to formally ask for the hand of your mother in marriage.”

And Joey gave the reply: On behalf of the Anson-Roa family and my siblings in Virginia, USA, namely Leah and Ben, we would like to release our Mom to you. We are happy to be with the Rodrigo family and look forward to spending lots of family time with Tito King.

This early, we are wishing Mr. and Mrs. Francisco “King” Rodrigo, as the Chinese would say, a hundred years of blissful togetherness.

By the way, Boots didn’t reveal where the honeymoon will be.

Martin: Regine a threat to singers

At yesterday’s presscon for their Valentine show Voices Of Love (Feb. 14 at the MOA), Martin Nievera paid tribute to Regine Velasquez in so many words, encapsulated thus: “I’m proud of Regine and how she has evolved as singer. She doesn’t forget where she came from. She has a way of singing her ass off that she’s a threat to other singers. She’s so good that she challenges other singers to be as good as if not better than her. She has a very powerful voice…I don’t know where it comes from, where she got it. You know it when you watch her perform.”

Regine returned the compliment by saying, “I learned a lot from Martin. He’s a good friend to me and Ogie and to our son Nate na binigyan niya ng toy car…sana next time, ‘yung tunay na kotse, hahahaha! Every time I have a concert, even if I don’t ask him, he would show up and do a song…for free! That’s what I also learned from him — to give back.”

Voices Of Love, produced by Ana Puno (of Starmedia Entertainment) who, with her brother Felix Co (of then MaxiMedia Entertainment), also produced the first Martin-Regine concert. Last year, Ana also produced the Valentine show Foursome with Martin and ex-wife Pops Fernandez and Regine’s husband Ogie Alcasid.

As a tribute to Felix, Ana is donating part of the concert proceeds to Felix’s charitable institution.

(Note: For ticket inquiries, call Starmedia at 854-3300 or SM outlets at 470-2222.)

Angel younger than Anne

Oops! I was just informed that Angel Locsin is a year younger than Anne Curtis so she’s not “too old” to play Dyesebel. According to Angel’s manager, Ethel Ramos, “Angel is turning 28 this year;” while Anne, according to June Torrejon-Rufino (of Viva which is managing Anne) is “turning 29 this February.”

Fans of Angel claimed that Angel could be a better Dyesebel because she’s a good swimmer. Showbiz wags said that Anne can do something that Angel cannot — you know, “Anne can buy you and me and any club, including the ocean that Dyesebel will swim in.” That’s a joke!

Incidentally, did you know that two former beauty queens (aside from Daryll Hannah in Splash with Tom Hanks) have also played mermaids (not actually Dyesebel)…Johanna Raunio of Finland and Michelle van Eimeren of Australia?

Both represented their countries in the Miss Universe pageant held in the Philippines, Raunio in 1974 and Michelle in 1994. Raunio’s mermaid was in Premiere Productions’ Lorelei (with model Raul Roa (Monasterio) and Michelle’s was in OctoArts’ Manolo en Michelle. Ogie became Michelle’s husband after he acted as mascot in the Miss U activities. They have separated and remained good friends, with their two daughters living in Australia with Michelle and her new husband. Ogie and Regine spent the long holidays in Australia with Michelle and husband and Ogie’s daughters Sarah and Leila.

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)