Miriam wants order in renewal of vows

Manila, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has set the rules on her renewal of vows with husband, Narciso Jr., at the Manila Cathedral at 6 p.m. today to make their 40th wedding celebration orderly.

In the wedding program, guests were advised to be at the church by 5:30 p.m. or 30 minutes before the scheduled Mass to be officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

The program listed guidelines on the order of the processional where President Aquino will stand as best man. The Chief Executive’s father, former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was among the principal sponsors when Santiago and her husband wed in 1971.

Guests were reminded of the protocol “that the President of the Philippines is the last to arrive and the first to leave.”

As best man, Aquino stands in front of the altar, “facing the aisle,” while the bridesmaid, actress Heart Evangelista, will walk to the altar by herself and will stand beside the best man, according to the program.

At the dinner reception, reportedly at the Manila Hotel although there were some invitations indicating another reception at The Fort in Taguig, the couple will stand at the entrance and the reception line will be from left to right.

Guests are also advised to sign the guest book at the entrance.

“As an act of mercy, the couple will not exhibit photos or videos of themselves. Instead, we shall try very hard to convince certain participants to sing, with piano accompaniment,” the program read.

Reports said the guests are also advised to put their cellular phones on silent mode to avoid disrupting the ceremony. Santiago is known to be particular on this practice even when she presides over Senate hearings.

For the souvenir photos, the couple will stand at the altar with the President to be joined by Rosales, Evangelista, the secondary sponsors and the entourage.

The order of the processional was also stated: best man, bridesmaid, entourage (pair by pair), and secondary sponsors to be followed by the Santiago couple.

“In front of the altar, the couple, best man and bridesmaid shake hands, and the couple proceed to the altar,” it said.

The guidelines were mapped out since the event will bring together bigwigs in the political and business arena, and the broadcast and print media.

Also in the entourage are former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada, as well as former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

The powerhouse lineup of principal sponsors includes ABS-CBN’s Oscar Lopez, GMA 7’s Felipe Gozon, Manila Bulletin’s Emilio Yap, SM’s Teresita Sy Coson, Jocelyn Campos Hess, businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. Chief Justice Renato Corona, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Justice Consuelo Ynares Santiago, and Marixi Prieto. Philippine STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte is also in the entourage as offeror.

Others in the entourage are Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senators Loren Legarda, Ramon Revilla Jr., Antonio Trillanes IV, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Pia Cayetano, Edgardo Angara and Loren Legarda, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Dr. Linnea Defensor Evangelista, Zenaida Lazaro, and Gemma Cruz Araneta.

Secondary sponsors are incoming Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II and wife Korina (candle); telecommunications tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan and Evelyn Singson (veil); Sen. Manuel Villar and wife, former congresswoman Cynthia Villar (cord); Ma. Isabel Ongpin and Dr. Esperanza Cabral (Bible readers); and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Beatriz Cristina Aboitiz (offerors).

Front row pews will be reserved for the wedding entourage.

“But upon arrival, please occupy the back row pews nearest the door, until called by the Cathedral organizer to stand in line. The ushers will be in uniform, wearing big red IDs with ribbons,” the program read.

All participants should sit in the front pews. In every group, the first pair should take the end of the pew, leaving the aisle for the last participant, it said.

Guests are advised to wear evening dress (knee length) for ladies, and barong tagalog for men.

The senator’s office also recommended “dress options” for the members of the media who will be covering the event, which is either “Filipiniana” or business casual.