Last Tuesday, Sept. 15, Dylan Gotidoc, the second child of couple Jaya and Gary Gotidoc, had his baptism in the Sta. Maria Della Strada Parish Church, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
He had a total of 46 godparents—24 ninongs and 22 ninangs—composed of celebrities and good friends of the family. Only a few of them were absent in the baptism rite, which started at 3 p.m.
Reception was held in the Clubhouse of the Ayala Hillside Estates in Quezon City.
Uploaded: September 16, 2009
Jaya's family arrived 45 minutes early to attend the baptism, which started at 3 p.m.
All smiles for a family moment are (from left) Dylan's proud lola Elizabeth Ramsey, Gary Gotidoc, Sabriya, Jaya, and Dylan.
Here with Elizabeth Ramsey (2nd from right) were some guests who arrived earliest: (from left) Eat Bulaga! big boss Malou Choa-Fagar, Ruby Rodriguez, Jackie Lou Blanco, and GMA-7 SVP for Entertainment TV Wilma Galvante.
Dylan's godmother, Cacai Velasquez-Mitra, attended the baptism with her husband Raul Mitra. Both are good friends of Jaya through the Sunday noontime show SOP, where they all work.
Fr. Julius Angelo Pelarion, assistant parish priest of Sta. Maria Della Strada Parish Church, officiated the baptism. In his homily, he asked the godparents to "give a good example of Christian living."
During the baptism, former popular comedienne Elizabeth Ramsey sat with her granddaughter Sabriya near the lectern. Beside them is AJ, son of Ruby Rodriguez.
Fr. Pelarion pours water on Dylan's head, as the sign of a new life with God.
Floating in the background is a pink balloon of Patrick Star, a lead character in the Nickelodeon cartoon Spongebob Squarepants. Elizabeth Ramsey bought the balloon from a peddler outside the church and gave it to Sabriya.
Gary uses the flame of the Paschal candle to light his own candle. The fire symbolizes the everlasting presence of God with the baptized child and his godparents.
After the baptismal rite, Jaya's family posed for posterity. (From left) Elizabeth Ramsey, Jaya and Dylan, Fr. Julius Angelo Pelarion, Gary Gotidoc, and Sabriya.
The godmothers pose with the family. (Second row, from left) Gelli de Belen, Jackie Lou Blanco, Angela Hunter, GMA-7 executive Wilma Galvante, UST Professor Dr. Pura Caisip, Elizabeth Ramsey, Gary Gotidoc with Sabriya, Eat Bulaga! big boss Malou Choa-Fagar, Chang Bayaborda, Jaya's manager Maristel Fernandez, Jolina Magdangal; (front row, from left) Nancy Gotidoc, Hazel Abonita, Cathy Tanso, Jaya with Dylan, Ruby Rodriguez, Cacai Velasquez-Mitra, and Grace Reyes.
And now the godfathers posing with the family: (Second row, from left) Paul Chia, Marvin Agustin, Noel Ubico (wearing glasses), Bea Encallado, Rommel Gacho, Peter Buendia, Pepsi Herrera, proxy of Edwin Tan, Ricky Lim (partly
hidden), Arnie Mendaros, Ali Sulit (in black), Ricky Lo, Paolo Luciano (in white), Raymond Lauchenco, Jay-R; (front row, from left) Mark Gotidoc, Jaya with Dylan, Gary Gotidoc with Sabriya, Allan K, Elizabeth Ramsey, and Arnell Ignacio.
(From left) Although Dingdong Dantes, Geoff Eigenmann, and manager Perry Lansigan did not make it to the baptismal rite, they were able to attend the reception.
Dingdong, the only godparent among the three, said he wants Dylan to grow up a "God-fearing, talented and respectful boy."