MikeLigalig.com

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte -- The union of Michael Ferdinand Marcos-Manotoc and Carina Angela Gamboa Manglapus here on Saturday at the majestic Paoay Church was meant to showcase the Ilocano traditional wedding ceremony.

The nuptials, however, also showed how a union of two people can unite the Ilocanos as officials of various municipalities and residents rejoiced by singing their hearts out to express their happiness for the couple and be proud of their province.

The groom is a grandson of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos and son of Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos. The bride is a granddaughter of former senator and Foreign Affairs secretary Raul Manglapus who was exiled during the term of the former president.

Local performers, mostly students, sang old Ilocano and Tagalog love songs serenading everyone who went to witness the nuptials. Traditional Ilocano dances were also presented to entertain the more than 5,000 crowd outside the Paoay Church.

The performances were all rendered by volunteers who were tapped by various local government units here,said Provincial Tourism Officer Ianree Raquel.

The people also warmly welcomed prominent wedding guests and visitors, some even coming all the way from Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio did not miss the wedding. She arrived in Ilocos Norte on Saturday with other important figures from the national government, business sector and business industry.

“It’s our obligation to thank the Marcoses for extending their hand of friendship,” said the presidential daughter in a brief interview.

President Rodrigo Duterte was unable to attend but was ably represented by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, a native of Bangui town in Ilocos Norte.

Also seen among the crowd of VIPs were Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Acosta, Public Works Secretary Mark Villa, among others.

Referring to the wedding as the “first of my life”, Gov. Marcos expressed gratitude to everyone who extended their help to make the grand celebration a reality.

Raquel, in an earlier interview, said the ceremony would be a fusion of modern and traditional Ilocano weddings highlighting the old cultural values of Ilocano wedding rites such as the traditional “mano” (kissing of the hand) to the principal sponsors, who in return would gift money to the newlyweds.

Proceeds collected from the wedding celebration will go to the rehabilitation aid for Marawi City. (PNA)

NOVEMBER 2017

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