Lani Mercado put vows again
Lani Mercado, radiant in her wedding dress off the shoulder, turned out to be the star of the moment when he walked toward the altar of the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and last Saturday at 28 in May, when he and Sen. Bong Revilla renew their wedding vows.
"I never suffered because I love you, our children, our family. The love makes us strong through the trials," her voice trembled as she held Bong's hands and faced the altar. "Thank you for teaching me how to forgive. Now, I know myself more. Thank you for teaching me to be a public servant like you."
He also hinted that he would take it down. We made it through, he said, Bong "in spite of you-know-what department."
Bong, in turn, said Lani I'm yours alone forever, "and he would always" choose to be his wife and mother of his children. "
Silver was the color of the day - a pair of 25-year anniversary. Their eldest daughter, Inah del Rosario matron of honor, where the boys of them,Ramon Revilla Bryan Jolo Revilla III are the best of men.
The principal sponsors were the political, business and showbiz, of course.
Three of them are former presidents. Only former President Joseph Estrada (with his wife, the former Senator Loi Ejercito) was able to do so. Other - former President of the Republic of Pampanga and now Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) - not around.
Other principal sponsors are FVR's wife Amelita Ramos, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Gretchen Cojuangco, former senator Ernesto Maceda, Rep. Cynthia Villar, former speaker Jose de Venecia and wife, Rep. Georgina de Venecia, Ramon Ang and Teresita Ang, GMA 7 CEO and Chair Felipe Gozon, Regal matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde, Menardo Jimenez, former president and CEO of GMA Network, Filinvest Chair and CEO Mercedes Gotianun, SM Group's Henry Sy Jr., Elizabeth Quisumbing, GMA Network EVP and COO Jimmy Duavit, Armida Siguion-Reyna (represented by son Carlitos Siguion-Reyna), business tycoon Manny Pangilinan, GMA Network SVP for Entertainment Wilma Galvante, Viva Entertainment Big Boss Vic del Rosario and TV host and talent manager Lolit Solis nad TV host Geman Moreno.
Secondary sponsors were Philip Salvador and Lorna Tolentino (candles), the representative of Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinky (veil) and Jinggoy Estrada, the senator and his wife Precy Army (cable).
Mark Bautista sang "The Lord's Prayer," while Rachelle Ann Go, stirring up the gift "Tanging Yaman" and "You and I" of the church ceremony.
The reception that followed at the Harbour Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza was even more star-studded. A pregnant Regine Velasquez broke her doctor-prescribed bed rest to sing "Ikaw Lamang," with husband Ogie Alcasid.
Iza Calzado and Paolo Contis hosted the program. The Revilla daughters Inah, Gianna and Loudette sang "I'll Be There." The boys, Bryan, Jolo and Ram rendered "Lean on Me."
Ruffa Gutierrez sat beside a handsome foreigner whose identity she refused to reveal. Her dad, Eddie Gutierrez and mom Anabelle Rama, shared the same table.
Bong's dad, former senator Ramon Revilla was accounted for. So were other members of his family, like Bong's brother Strike Revilla, Bacoor Mayor and sister Andrea "Andeng" Bautista-Ynares, among others.
The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra serenaded the guests. Singing trio La Diva, sang "The Prayer."
A dance interpretation of Bong and Lani's love story was staged. A video was devoted to friends and relatives' comments on the couple.
Senator Loren Legarda and the former first lady Imelda Marcos, Assunta de Rossi, Gladys Reyes, Ricky Davao, Rez Cortez and Revilla favorite "designer Paul Cabral, who created Lani dress are also present in the occasion.