It was in Cebu City last March 21 that Alma Moreno once again tied the knot, this time with Marawi Mayor Sultan Fahad Salic. In an interview with PEP last March 4, Alma's son Mark Anthony Fernandez revealed that his mom was set to wed this April 9 in Marawi City. (Click here for the article)
Surprise was the first thing Mark felt when the date was moved earlier. As he expressed in an interview with Startalk, he said, "Nabigla nga ako. Tinawagan ko mom ko, kinonfirm nga niya sa akin at pumunta nga ako sa Cebu dahil ikakasal na. Biglaan daw."
When Mark arrived in Cebu, nearly every relative on both sides was present, save for a few people like Yeoj, Alma's son with Joey Marquez. Mark walked his mother down the bridal aisle. The wedding was held according to Muslim tradition and Mark was given the dowry, which he shared among his siblings.
"Muslim rites siya, yes," Mark said. "Naganap ang kasal ng 3pm sa Vistamar Hotel, Cebu. Natapos siya ng alas singko."
What did Mark observe about his mom on her wedding day? And did he feel nervous?
"Maganda si Mama noong gabing iyon," smiled Mark. "Maaliwalas siya at alam ko na happy siya noong oras na iyon. Ako noong papuntang Cebu noong araw na iyon at iniisip ko lang na maging simple lang para sa akin, uupo lang ako at maki-party lang ako...No emotions sana. Hindi nga ako makapaniwala na naging emotional ako. Naging emotional din ako nang kaunti pero hindi ko na ipinahalata."
Mark has nothing but praise for his new stepdad whom he calls "Uncle."
"Uncle, mahalin mo si mama at huwag kang magbabago," said Mark. When asked if he and his Uncle spoke after the wedding: "Sabi niya, basta nandiyan lang siya para sa akin at gusto niyang tumayong pangalawang ama. Sabi ko naman na 'Salamat sa offer niyo at mabait kayo sa akin.'"
Mark added that the Mayor is a soft-spoken, simple man. He also observed that the Mayor was shy but Mark thought him a cool guy.
Mark chose to let his mom announce if she had converted to Muslim.
What does Mark feel about recent news that his mom is not the Mayor's first wife?
"Hindi ko sure," Mark admitted. "Siguro si mama na lang tanungin niyo. Pagkaalam ko, second wife siguro or third. Basta ganoon lang."
Mark wished for his mom's happiness: "Masayang-masaya ako para sa iyo. I wish you the best at gusto ko lang na maging masaya ka talaga. Ang happiness comes from within kaya sana magmahalan kayo at maalagaan kayo ni Uncle Mayor."