Councilor Shalani Soledad finds "home and happiness" in Congressman Roman Romulo
Photography: Mike Caliwara
Additional photos from:
, Melo Balingit , Arniel Serato , Arniel Serrato Mel Balingit
Updated: 01/23/2012
Views: 2607
On January 22, 2012, a popular couple circulating in the world of politics tie the knot at the Saint Benedict's Church in Ayala Westgrove, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The wedding of Roman Romulo and Shalani Soledad was officiated by four priests, one of them being Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales, and was witnessed by more than 500 guests and well-wishers.

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Their first kiss as husband and wife happened too quickly.
Some photographers complained, "Ang ikli."
Even program host Karen Davila remarked, "Bitin!"
So, after the ceremony, they were asked to repeat the kiss—and the couple gladly obliged.
Photography: Arniel Serrato
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The Ayala Westgrove church where the Pasig congressman and Valenzuela councilor exchanged I Do's...
It was completed only last year.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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As early as 3:00 p.m., the guests began arriving at the St. Benedict Church, which was adorned by casablancas imported from Holland.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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By 5 p.m., more than 500 people had gathered inside the church.
In addition to the pews, monoblock chairs were placed whenever space was available and where they did not detract from the decor.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Two important men in the bride's life—Mon Soledad (left), the uncle who raised the councilor, and Adolfo Aguirre, her biological dad.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Adi Aguirre, walked beside Shalani's mom, Evelyn Soledad-Yumol (third from right).
It was the first event in Shalani's life when both her parents were in attendance.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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It was past 5 p.m. when a veiled Shalani walked down the aisle, with Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are" playing in the background.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Here's a clearer shot of the gown created by Inno Sotto for the Kapatid star.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Roman and Shalani didn't look nervous at all.
"Parang high high school," was how the mom described the couple.
The groom's voice was firm and the bride's was clear when they answered "Yes."
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Aside from Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales (not in photo), there more priests officiated the ceremony—Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, Rev. Msgr. Bartolome G. Santos, Jr., and Rev. Fr. Isagani Aviñante.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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One of the wedding ninongs was Manny Pangilinan, who owns TV5, where Shalani works as a host.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Lovely couple Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, who was tasked to read the responsorial psalm.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Shalani's Wil Time Bigtime co-host Mariel Rodriguez arrived solo.
Right after the ceremony, she made a hasty exit.
The show's main host, Willie Revillame, did not make it because "masama ang pakiramdam."
Photography: Mel Balingit
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Another great-looking couple: actor Marco Alcaraz and fiancée, beauty queen Precious Lara Quigaman.
"Kelan kayo?" YES! magazine's Anna Pingol asked.
The guy replied, "Baka October."
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Valerie Concepcion (right) with veil sponsor Ramonell Soledad
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Karen Davila read the Prayers of the Faithful.
She came to the event with her husband, TV5 news executive DJ Sta. Ana.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Roman and Shalani with the secondary sponsors.
The groom's sisters (from left) Berna Romulo-Puyat, Mons Romulo, and Guadalupe Romulo were paired with the bride's brother and cousins Carlo Soledad, Martel Soledad, and Ramonell Soledad.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Photographers were asked to stay in their designated area during the ceremony.
Luckily, PEP was able to capture this shot just a few feet away from the newlywed.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Shalani even smiled when she caught us taking her photo...
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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The picture-taking soon after the formal church ceremony took almost two hours.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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At past 8:00 p.m., Mr. And Mrs. Roman Romulo left the church.
A few onlookers who found their way to the church cheered and screamed "Shalani!!!"
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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This is the car that brought the bride to the St. Benedict Church and the couple to the reception venue: the Evoliving Center Dockside Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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The pagkaing Pinoy-inspired menu prepared by Florabel Catering.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Dessert: Queso de Bola cheesecake, suman latik with Batangas tsokolate
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Soup: Chicken Binakol with Baguio spinach, which had young coconut juice.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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Souvenir: Aside from pastillas, chocolates, and Tikoy, some of the guests took home a "medallion of St. Benedict," which is "effective against contagious disease and sickness and offers protection from all forms of evil spirits."
The medallions were said to be blessed in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI.
Photography: Mike Caliwara
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The couple invited 800 people to their post-wedding party.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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The program was short.
Shalani's only request from her mom (not in photo): "Mama, no crying, ha."
Photography: Melo Balingit
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One of the highlights: a fireworks display lasting more than 10 minutes.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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One of the highlights: The heartwarming message of the groom's dad, former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who said his family was enthralled by Shalani's "beauty, simplicity, and sincerity."
Photography: Melo Balingit
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One of the highlights: the speech of the bride's mom, who revealed interesting trivia about Shalani.
First, "Magaling sumayaw 'yan."
Second, "Hindi magaling mag-boyfriend ang anak ko."
Third, "Siya ang prinsesa ng pamilya."
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Of course, most people waited for the repeat of the kiss.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Guests spotted at venue, which was set right beside a lake: Migz Zubiri and wife Aubrey (first and second from left) and Senator Bong Revilla and wife Lani (beside the Zubiri couple).
Photography: Melo Balingit
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The press people who made time for the wedding: (seated, L-R) "Star Patrol's" Mario Dumaual, Abante columnist and PEP blogger Jojo Gabinete, PEP managing editor Karen Pagsolingan; (standing, front) YES! magazine managing editor Anna Pingol; (standing, back) Inquirer's Marinel Cruz.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Before leaving, the PEP and YES! team had a photo op with Mr. and Mrs. Roman Romulo.
Photography: Melo Balingit
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Here's a shot of the couple just before they proceeded to Nuvali.
The ceremony was short, but the photo ops that followed were quite too taxing.
Photography: Arniel Serato
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After a few minutes, they stood up and said they were ready to face their guests.
Photography: Arniel Serato
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In their vows, they promised to love each other "now and forever."
Photography: Arniel Serato
