Ciara Sotto and her dream wedding with Joe Oconer

Rose Garcia
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 @ 11:49AM  |  152682 views


Ciara Sotto can't find the right words to describe how she  feels as Mrs. Jojo Oconer: "Hindi ko alam, e... It's a feeling that you can't explain. When I met him in the States na parang, I feel so special to him right now, all of a sudden...Tulad nga ng sabi ni Direk Mike, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Akala ko after nun wala na, nakakagulat din pala na pag-uwi ko, talaga palang yun ang plinano ng Diyos para sa akin."   On his part, Jojo tells PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal): "Ako naman, early on in our relationship, I felt that I wanted to end up with her. Ngayong January 17 kami kinasal and March 20 ako nag-propose, it was just a matter of timing...But in terms of who I wanted to end up with, I knew it was her early on."

Photo By: Rose Garcia













Bridesmaids and groomsmen have an interesting mix of couple's friends in showbiz, politics, and non-showbiz. The six pairs are Mich Dulce and Kim Honasan, Julia Clarete and Diosdado Arroyo, Erica Silva and Erwin Dy, Marie Aquino and Manuel Tamayo Jr., Joy Sotto and Gian Sotto, and Jocelyn Oconer and Sherwin de Leon.

The coin bearer is Dawn Zulueta, whose son Jacobo Lagdameo is the Bible bearer. Ring bearer is the nephew of Ciara and son of Gian, Edrigu W. Sotto.

Flower girls are Nadia Tuviera, Mariel Daniella Sophia Pangilinan, Helena Maria de Leon, and  Simone Francesca Emmanuelle Pangilinan. They are escorted by Vicente Sotto IV, Victorio Generoso, and Romino Generoso.

The couple have eight pairs of sponsors, who are all close to them and their parents: Sen. Gringo Honasan and Ms. Letty Tan, Mr. Ramon Ang and Mother Lily Monteverde, Cong. Romeo Jalosjos (represented by his son Bullet Jalosjos) and Ms. Kitchie Benedicto-Paulino, Mr. Antonio Tuviera and Ms. Madeleine Tuviera, Mr. Roberto Barreiro and Ms. Lisa Alvenida, Mr. Vic Sotto and Ms. Malou Choa-Fagar, Mr. Joey de Leon and Ms. Evelyn Roxas, and Mr. Harry Tan and Mrs. Natividad Cheng.

THE CEREMONY. Aside from the vows, one unforgettable part of  the entire ceremony is the thank-the-parents portion, which is a suggestion of the officiating pastor Bernard Marquez.

Ciara becomes emotional while thanking her famous parents for giving her a privileged life. For his part, Jojo says thank you to his parents, in-laws, Mr. T, whom he considers his second dad.

A video, featuring photos taken by Raymund Isaac, captures not only Ciara and Jojo but their love for each other. For a time, Ciara lived in Las Vegas but distance never became a hindrance for their relationship to grow stronger.

Despite a guest list containing the "Who's who" in showbiz and politics, the atmosphere is very positive, light, and full of warmth.

Jeffrey Hidalgo, UST Strings Orchestra, and friends of Ciara from UST Conservatory of Music serenade the guests. The repertoire consists of mostly classic pieces, like "Someone Like You," "The Nearness of You," "She," "Light of a Million Mornings," "You First Believed," "Feels Like Heaven," "With You I'm Born Again," "The First Time I Loved Forever," to name a few.

THE RECEPTION. Pia Guanio and Danica serve as the hosts. Vic looks pleased seeing his girlfriend and daughter together onstage. Pia even jokes, "For your hosting needs, you can contact our manager, Mr. Vic Sotto."

The AVP (audio visual presentation) titled A Flight To Forever has everyone's eyes glued to the screen. It sums up the couple's love story, as narrated by their closest friends and relatives.

People are all ears when when Vito, second son of Ciara's Ate Apple, makes a surprise speech. Later that night, the new Mrs. Oconer reveals that she and Vito are very close. "Katabi ko silang matulog!" she adds.

Tears flow once again when it's the dad's time to dance with his bunso. "Kasi si Daddy, tina-try niya akong i-divert. Alam mo, nagkamali ako...ang dami niyang kuwento. 'Tapos, niyakap ko na lang siya. Noong niyakap ko na siya, hindi ko na napigilan. Naiyak na lang talaga 'ko," Daddy's girl says.

Apple's eldest Romino wows the crowd with his a la Michael Jackson number, "Billie Jean."

After the brief program, the parents and newly-weds give their message.

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