The Arroyo-Montenegro wedding: Who’s who, what & wear

It kept its promise of being The Wedding of the Year. Guests, who included government officials, diplomats, businessmen and society’s creme de la creme, were lavished with good food, fine wine and good old Filipino hospitality at its finest. The groom, Mikey Arroyo, and the bride, Angela Montenegro, looked fresh – she, in an immaculate white silk organza bustier gown by Joe Salazar with matching shoes by Lila Almario, and he, in a piña barong tagalog by Pitoy Moreno – at the cocktail reception in Malacañang as they faced a long day that began hours before the church rites in Lubao, Pampanga set at 10 a.m. And yes, the newlyweds could have danced in each other’s arms all night. So with the mother of the groom, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who took a French leave to meet with a Cabinet official and went back to the reception later in the evening to take to the dancefloor with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo for some sweet slow-dancing. GMA must have been carried away by deja vu. It was in this same room, Malacañang’s Ceremonial Hall, where she had her own wedding reception more than 30 years ago.

And it’ll most probably be in this same hall where Mikey’s younger brother Dato will have his own reception when he weds Kakai Manotok, a former classmate in Ateneo, next year.

"No date has been set yet," said Dato escorting his fiancee Kakai who looked stunning in a peach bustier creation by Joe Salazar.

One wedding after another at the Palace? Looks like GMA is going to be one busy grandmother.

The wedding’s Filipiniana theme was carried over to the reception in Malacañang. Posters of 19th-century Filipinos in native dress hung on the walls. Teyet Pascual, who did the decor, also evoked a romantic and elegant all-white theme. He used white roses and chrysanthemums in crystals while candles burned through the evening in green and peach vases with faux pearls on the base. White sampaguita flowers, stringed into layers, were made into decorative wreaths laid out on the banister of the stairs leading to the reception area and Ceremonial Hall.

White tents were also set up at the Palace gardens where the guests were first received before being escorted to the Ceremonial Hall. From Gate 6, the red carpet leading to the building was lit by candles on one side with angel figurines in different poses. We even spotted one with a cupid’s bow.

Guests, numbering well over a thousand, came in a seemingly endless stream, having been spared the ordeal of hour-long traffic because it was a holiday in Manila. Among the early birds were Nini and Abe Licaros.

"We came before 6 p.m. but we didn’t mind waiting outside because we were served canapes and drinks in the garden where tables were set up," said Nini Licaros. "The setting is not too formal so guests are free to move around and meet their friends. The food is also sumptuous. There’s nothing extravagant about it. Everything was done in a most appropriate manner." Her husband Abe, a good friend of the father of the bride Herman Montenegro back in their New York days, could only agree.

"This is very simple for a Malacañang wedding," noted Joe Salazar, who designed the bridal gown and those of the female entourage. Joe likewise dressed up a lot of guests who attended the reception, prompting the President, wearing a Joe Salazar shift dress in bottle green with Swarovski crystal accents, to gush, "Thank you, Joe, for making us all beautiful tonight."

Woman of the hour was Bettina Aboitiz, GMA’s super-efficient social secretary, who made sure there was not a kink in the receptions in Lubao and Malacañang. The reception at the Palace was the First Couple’s gift to their eldest son and new daughter-in-law. Hats off, too, to overall coordinator Joey Espino.

Guests happily moved from room to room to sample the goodies each had to offer. Carving stations for Peking duck and roast beef were set up on opposite sides of the Ceremonial Hall.

Seen helping himself to the sushi in the room serving Japanese food was a trim Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo who’s become a health buff. Joining him later were his wife Lovely and daughters Mons Romulo-Tantoco and Berna Romulo-Puyat, all looking lovely in their Salazar gowns.

Senator Loren Legarda was caught smiling beside the delectable array of cheeses and desserts in the state dining room. Wearing a bustier gown by Rajo Laurel, Senator Legarda revealed she’s lost 12 pounds since her miscarriage and would think twice before yielding to the sweet temptations around her that night.

Gaita Fores of Cibu, which catered the cocktail reception along with Manila Hotel, plated the assorted cheeses from Spain and France and the jamon serrano carving which were gifts from the friends of Mikey and Angela, who in turn gifted their guests with gold picture frames made from Mt. Pinatubo ashes.

While the color of the day was green with some peach offerings, the night glittered with an assortment of hues that ran the whole color spectrum. Olongapo City Mayor Kate Gordon was in a fire-engine red gown by Patis Tesoro. Sharing her fiery support for Pampanga Vice Governor Mikey Arroyo, Kate pointed out, "Mikey is a boy who’s learning his role not only as the son of the President but also as a politician. And to better tackle this new role, his getting married and having a family of his own is very much welcomed by his constituents."

"No, I didn’t have any jitters or second thoughts," declared a beaming Mikey.

Neither did Angela, who smiled and shook hands through the night like a veteran politician’s wife.

"She was so cool, as if nothing was happening," said Emilie Montenegro-Yupangco of younger sister Angela.

But Angela sneaked out of the reception for a 30-minute massage to soothe her aching bones. Before sleeping at 2:30 a.m., she washed her hair three times to remove the sticky hair spray as Mikey snored to blissful sleep. The couple woke up at 8 to have breakfast together at the Palace, their temporary home.

"We’re maintaining a room in Malacañang, but we can never call this home because it’s a temporary state," says Mikey. "We’d be shuttling between Lubao and Malacañang."

Meanwhile, the honeymoon will have to wait till Friday as Mikey goes back to work.

"Angela was on the phone this morning asking me if I wanted to have lunch because Mikey has left for work," said Emilie.

Looks like Angela will have to get used to her new role, too.