Ciara Sotto and Jojo Oconer: The Dream Wedding (Part 1)

Photography: Rose Garcia
Updated: 01/19/2010
Views: 3107704
The weather blends perfectly with the special day of Ciara Sotto and Jojo Oconer.
The star-studded wedding took place at the
Westfield Manila Polo Club in Forbes Park, Makati City, on January 17.

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Ciara Sotto can't find the right words to describe her feeling 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."
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The bride's lovely mom, Helen Gamboa (right), tries to smile for the camera.
She says she's going to miss her bunso. But she's also glad that Ciara chose a good man.
"Alam niyo, hindi naman niya ginusto lang si Jojo. It took many years
before she made up her mind. So, she prayed a lot na if they are meant for each
other, it would be. If not, there must be something. So, I guess, ini-allow ni
Lord," she tells PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
The lady beside her is Ciara's sister, Quezon City Councilor Lala Sotto.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Megastar Sharon Cuneta, who's more than "Ate" to the bride.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Matron of Honor Sharon also serves as the official photographer of her three girls: Frankie (second from left), Miel (right), and KC (not in this photo).
She proudly shows the picture of her baby boy.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The eldest of Shawie and the niece of the bride, KC Concepcion, makes use of her waiting time by taking pictures and having her pictures taken.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The Kapamilya actress poses with her lola Elaine Cuneta (middle), who happens to be the sister of the bride's mom (left).
One of the ladies in the background is the Megastar, watching the people pour in.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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"Si Mother naman," says KC after the picture-taking session with her lolas.
"Mother" is Lily Monteverde, the matriarch of Regal Films, which co-produced KC's second movie, When I Met You.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Ciara's uncle, Vic Sotto, shows up with girlfriend Pia Guanio, who attends the wedding for three reasons: (1) to personally wish her good friend the best, (2) to anchor the live feeds of Showbiz Central, and (3) to host the program after the wedding.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Oyo Sotto, a cousin of Ciara, with rumored girlfriend Kristine Hermosa.
The two decline to give an interview, "Wedding naman ito ni Ate Ciara kaya sa ibang time na lang...," the son of Vic Sotto says.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Joey de Leon shows up with his wife Eileen Macapagal (second from right), sons Jako (right) and Jio (middle), and daughter Jocas (second from left).
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Three of the principal sponsors make time for a quick chat while waiting for the bride.
(From left) Eat Bulaga! lady boss Malou Choa-Fagar, Mother Lily, and former Senator Gringo Honasan.
While taking this photo, the big boss of Regal jokes, "Dami niyong picture, gusto ko lalabas
kami sa diyaryo, ha!"
Photography: Rose Garcia
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This blurry photo still captures the beauty of (from left) Pops Fernandez, Apple Sotto, and Lala—who are listed under Secondary Sponsors.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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This 1960 Jaguar Mark II of Don Robert's Bridal Cars brings the bride to the open field of Manila Polo Club.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The principal sponsors line up as soon as the bridal car arrives.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Vic and Malou lead the big entourage of ninongs and ninangs.
The bride once became a regular host of Eat Bulaga! which further strengthened her bond with her uncle and tita.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Candle
bearers Lala and Nestor Leynes III.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Cord bearers are Ernesto Calanoc and Pops, a close friend of Lala.
Did you know that it was also the bride's father who discovered the Concert Queen?
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Dawn Zulueta is the ring bearer.
Aside from being a close friend of Ciara, she's also one of the bride's idols.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Two of Ciara's most favorite people—Dawn and her son Jacobo, who hands over the Holy Bible to the pastor with a high five.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Hugo, son of Gian and Joy Sotto, is the escort of his second cousin, Miel Pangilinan.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Kim
Honasan and Mich Dulce, who designed the headpieces, gowns, gloves, down to the shoes of the entourage.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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First son Diosdado Arroyo and Julia Clarete, who arrives without
an escort.
During the reception, Julia joined the single ladies in the throwing-of-bouquet portion. Does this shed light on rumors that the Eat Bulaga! co-host has separated from her husband?
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Finally, Ciara emerges from the bridal car.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Her bridal march is titled "Rhapsody," from Paganini by Sergi Rachmaninoff, and played by the UST String Orchestra.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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During her bridal walk, Ciara says, "Hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano ako kasaya..."
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The UST
String Orchestra and the classmates of the bride at the UST Conservatory of Music perform the couple's favorite songs.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Helen can't help but be emotional.
"I guess tears of joy kasi, nakikita nilang masaya ako," says Ciara.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With her parents, the 29-year-old Ciara Anna is ready to leave them and face a new life...
Photography: Rose Garcia
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with her groom, Jojo Oconer.
Before the parents relinquish their precious daughter, the
Pastor ask Jojo and Ciara this question: "Do you take this man/woman to
be your husband/wife, to love her, to comfort her, honor her, provide for her, forsaking
all others, cling only to him/her as long as you both live?"
They answer, "I do."
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The shy husband of Ciara tells PEP:
"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."
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Throughout the ceremony, the bride's mom is crying.
She tells PEP, "Ang tagal kong kasama ang anak ko.
Every day when I wake up, nandun siya. I cook for her. We eat together. Yun ang
mami-miss ko. Although alam ko naman na nasa bahay ko rin 'yan araw-araw."
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The ninangs are like second moms to the couple.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The ninongs.
One of them is Mr. Tony Tuviera (third from right),
who is like a second dad to Jojo.
Jojo works for T.A.P.E. (Television and Production Exponents) and A.P.T. (Antonio Pablo-Tuviera) Entertainment, where he met Ciara.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Their love story started four years ago.
They first met in Clark, Pampanga, where Eat Bulaga! held its anniversary. There was no spark at first.
The next time they saw each other was in the U.S., where the noontime show performed for our stateside kababayans. That moment, Joe found the lady he had been looking for.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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As they exchange rings and recite their vows, Ciara is all smiles. And Joe seems to be in awe of his bride.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Ciara becomes emotional while reading her message for her parents.
She also thanks Jojo's parents for welcoming her into the Oconer family.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Jojo reads his message to his parents, which he composed a few hours before the wedding with
his Blackberry cell phone.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Apple is supposed to handle the veil, but for some reason the rite is done by KC.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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After the pastor says the line, "You may now kiss the bride," a few awkward seconds pass.
"Nahihiya kami mag-kiss sa harap ng maraming tao," explains Ciara after the ceremony.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Towards the latter part of the rites, mom Helen looks composed.
In an interview, she relates, "Naku, siyempre, malungkot ako pero masaya rin
ako. The reason why malungkot is, yung anak ko, nag-asawa na, 'no. The
reason why masaya naman ako on the other side is because she's very happy.
Kapag masaya siya, masaya rin ako. Kung ano ang magpapaligaya sa kanya, I will
support."
The two ladies seated beside her are Sharon and daughter Miel, who borrows the digital camera from her mom to take pictures.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Jojo Oconer.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With the bride's parents.
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The groom's parents, Jose and Cecilia Oconer, and his sister Jocelyn.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With their ninongs and ninangs.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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On the left side are: Maid of Honor Cat Bautista and Matrons of Honor—Danica Sotto-Pingris and Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan.
Beside Joe are his Best Men, Mike (second from right) and Eduardo Tuviera, who have been his friends for 19 years.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Take one!
With the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
"Wait, let's fix the dress," says Mich Dulce, the designer.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Take two! A better shot.
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.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With the secondary sponsors.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With the adorable flower girls, Miel (left, second row) and Frankie, and their cute escorts, Victorio and Romino Generoso (the boys beside Ciara), plus Vicente IV (second from left).
Also included in the frame are Jacobo (left, first row), the son of Dawn, and Edrigu (the boy carried by Joe), also a nephew of the bride.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The newlyweds with Pia and two of her favorite nephews, Victorio and Romino, who are both sons of Apple Sotto.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With close friend Jeffery Hidalgo, who also serves as one of the wedding singers.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The BFF (Best Friend Forever) of the bride, Mich, says "Can I join?"
Photography: Rose Garcia
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The prominent Sotto clan.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With the Gamboas, the family of Ciara's mom.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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With the Oconers.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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Four years of being together—and a year of being geographically separated—are enough reason for Ciara and Joe to take their relationship to a higher level.
Years before this garden wedding, the two knew they're meant for each other.
Photography: Rose Garcia
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After the wedding, the couple will move into a condo unit somewhere in Ortigas.
Congrats and best wishes, Joe and Ciara!
CLICK HERE to view part 2.
Photography: Rose Garcia
