Monday, June 15, 2009

Sen. Roxas Goes Old School In ‘Pamanhikan’

Sen. Roxas Goes Old School In ‘Pamanhikan’
Philippine Daily Inquirer
By: Christine Avendaño
June 14, 2009


MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Manuel Roxas vowed to bring not just the elders of his Araneta-Roxas clan but also a “mambabalagtas” (traditional Tagalog orator) for a traditional “pamanhikan” scheduled for Sunday night at the Parañaque home of his fianceé, broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez.

A "pamanhikan" is a Filipino pre-wedding rite in which the man formally seeks the hand of his girlfriend in marriage before his future in-laws.

Roxas told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) on Sunday that everything was set for the "pamanhikan." As custom goes, the family of the groom makes the formal proposal of marriage. Once it is accepted, they sponsor a feast.

When interviewed on the phone, Roxas, who was having a haircut, sounded excited. The senator and presidential aspirant revealed that his “pamanhikan” would not simply be a dinner get-together between the two families.

He said he was bringing along an expert in “balagtasan” to make the gathering even more memorable for them.

“I really looked for a mambabalagtas and found one from Bulacan,” Roxas said.

Sanchez, who lost her parents several years ago, was to welcome Roxas and his family with her siblings, uncles and aunts.

Also joining the families’ get-together were Sanchez’s close friends and classmates, according to the 52-year-old Roxas.

The pamanhikan was supposed to have happened last week but it was postponed due to bad weather and the unavailability of some members of Sanchez’ clan.

A specific wedding date has yet to be set.

Roxas said that he was leaving it to Sanchez, who was consulting with a feng shui expert, to set the wedding date.

“If I had my way, I would want to get married tomorrow,” he said.

Roxas and Sanchez earlier announced their engagement in a top-rating noontime television show.

The public’s level of awareness of Roxas, a presidential aspirant, had improved since then.

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