Korina, Mar Bare Wedding Details

Korina, Mar Bare Wedding Details
Philippine Daily Inquirer
By: Marinel Cruz
August 25, 2009

MANILA, Philippines—He’s too young to organize a stag party for his dad. Instead, Paolo, 15-year-old son of Mar Roxas, may be the best man at the senator’s forthcoming wedding to broadcaster Korina Sanchez in October.

“I want Paolo to have a special part in the occasion—but not on stag night,” the legislator jested.

Mar, 52, grandson of former President Manuel Roxas, said that when he first told his son (from a previous relationship) about marrying Korina, 44, the response he got was, “I’m happy for you, dad.”

The couple hosted dinner for the media last week in Balay, a function hall within the family-owned Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

Choice venues

The wedding is on October 23 at 4 p.m. The couple said they will choose the church—Sto. Domingo, Manila Cathedral or Quiapo—this week. The reception will be at Bahay na Puti, home of Mar’s maternal grandparents, adjacent to the Araneta Center.

“I’m working on making this a grand wedding na hindi kailangang gastusan nang malaki,” said Korina, who’s on leave from her post as ABS-CBN chief of correspondents. “Right now, I’m scouting for nice, inexpensive materials [for] our Old Filipino motif.”

Only homegrown flowers will be used, she said—rose, jasmine, sampaguita. Her gown, designed by Pepito Albert, will be made of materials from Aklan, the country’s biggest producer of piña cloth.

The couple recently visited Asilo de Molo in Iloilo to ask a group of elderly women who do decorative needlework to make barong for Mar. “I also met with a group of sampaguita dealers,” Korina said “They presented interesting designs to me.”

The rings, Korina said, are Mar’s responsibility. “If he leaves that to me, delikado siya,” she quipped. To which the senator responded, “I want the rings to be really simple. Ayaw ko ng makintab (not shiny).”

Korina has asked 12 childhood friends to be her bridesmaids; Mar has yet to come up with his list of groomsmen.

Apart from Rosa Rosal, former actress and member of Philippine National Red Cross board of governors, the couple are still tight-lipped on their principal sponsors. “We have not informed most of them,” Mar said. “They are family members who play very important roles in our careers.”

The honeymoon is also the senator’s assignment. “It’ll be a two-part event,” he said.

“Our wedding falls on a Friday, so I’m thinking of spending the weekend decompressing [for] some quiet time while looking at the wedding pictures.” The second part, he said, will be either a road trip or a European cruise.

Mar-Korina 'People's Wedding' Set Oct. 23

Mar-Korina 'People's Wedding' Set Oct. 23
The Philippine Star
FUNFARE
By: Ricardo F. Lo
August 18, 2009

It’s confirmed: Sen. Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez will (finally, finally!) get married in what they call a “People’s Wedding” on Oct. 23.

“It will be an afternoon wedding,” Korina said in an interview with Funfare.

The venue is a toss-up between Sto. Domingo Church and the Manila Cathedral. But the reception will definitely be held at Bahay na Puti (in Cubao, Quezon City), the home of Mar’s lolo and lola and the venue of the reception for the wedding of Mar’s parents, former Sen. Gerry Roxas and Judy Araneta, and his aunt Baby Araneta and Dr. Raul Fores.

“So,” said Korina, “in a big way, we are following tradition. There may be more than a thousand guests although we have yet to finalize the list. Mar has relatives in Negros, Iloilo, Capiz and Bulacan; while mine are from Pampanga. Some of my relatives will come from New York.”

There are not too many details as yet.

“Mar and I want to hold it at the Sto. Domingo Church which has a long walk and a beautiful entrance with beautiful stained glass all over it. There are wonderful, wide corridors and a garden in the middle,” added Korina. “The Manila Cathedral is also an old church which has beautifully gilded cornices and a beautiful ceiling and is very regal aside from it already being air-conditioned. There may be another church we are looking at, like San Sebastian Church and Quiapo Church. We will decide which one this week.”

What about the entourage?

“I think I will have 12 bridesmaids. I have called my best friends from my childhood until today. I’ve lost touch with some of them so I had to look them up and call them. They were all thrilled and so am I. These bridesmaids make this special event very real for me as these are women who had been there to share my lowest moments and my highest throughout my life so far. I will have six flower girls one of whom is my niece Saila. Of course, Baby James is our ring bearer, Dyan Castillejo’s son Matthew is the Bible bearer and I am hoping I can make my nephew Miguel walk as the coin bearer. My two nieces, Tyra and Maya, will be junior bridesmaids along with Mercedes, Mar’s niece.”

She and Mar have yet to finalize the list of ninongs and ninangs and secondary sponsors. Kris Aquino will anchor the ABS-CBN coverage of the Filipino wedding. Korina’s gown will be designed by Pepito Albert and those of the entourage by Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Randy Ortiz. Mar’s cousin Margarita Fores has drawn up the menu and, in fact, they have set up a mock of the reception dinner tables.

“Ang ganda!,” exclaimed Korina. “ It’s exactly how I would want a wedding dinner table to be. Beautiful! Mar keeps reminding me, ‘Not too much,’ so it’s great that my contacts all gave me discounts and friends lent me old things to use for the decor. It is turning out so well.”

Korina calls it a “People’s Wedding” because she and Mar are not keeping anything secret. Every detail will be documented and shown as a two-hour special on Channel 2.

“So, makikita ng tao ang lahat ng detalye ng kasal. We are thinking of a way to acommodate people who would like to be at the church and be part of this special moment between myself and Mar. Mar has helped so many people and everywhere I go, people ask, ‘Kailan ang kasal? Imbitado ba kami?’ They want to go. It is very heartwarming and I wish we could invite the whole country. Hahahaha! So I guess television is the best way to make them part of it.”

And what about the honeymoon?

Korina didn’t say where.

Hmmmm. Are we going to see that, too, in the TV coverage?

Mar-Korina Nuptials Set For Oct. 23

Mar-Korina Nuptials Set For Oct. 23
Philippine Daily Inquirer
By: Marinel Cruz
August 18, 2009

MANILA, Philippines—The date has been set for the highly publicized wedding of Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and broadcaster Korina Sanchez.

In an interview on the news program “TV Patrol,” Sanchez said the wedding will take place on Oct. 23—just two months away.

October also happens to be her birthday month.

“Feng shui experts say Oct. 23 is a good date,” the broadcaster said.

Except for Philippine National Red Cross’s Rosa Rosal, the couple have yet to reveal their other wedding sponsors.

Sanchez said James Yap Jr., the son of actress and TV host Kris Aquino, will be the ring bearer. She also said athlete and TV host Diane Castillejo’s son, Matthew, will be the Bible bearer.

Sanchez said she and Roxas are considering holding the ceremony at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila, or the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City.

Korina Sanchez and Sen. Mar Roxas Announce The Exact Wedding Date

Korina Sanchez and Sen. Mar Roxas Announce The Exact Wedding Date
http://www.abs-cbn.com
By: Bernie Franco
August 17, 2009

Inanunsyo na kahapon sa The Buzz nina Korina Sanchez at Sen. Mar Roxas kung kailan gaganapin ang kanilang kasal. Sa October 23 ay mangyayari na ang pinakahihintay na kasalan ng dalawang kilalang personalidad sa public service. Paliwanag nila, may malaking kabuluhan ang pagkakapili nila ng nasabing petsa. “’Yung Oktubre birthday month ni Korina at birthday ng yumao kong kapatid,” simula ni Sen. Mar. “Yung 23 suwerte sa amin ‘yan both in astrology at saka sa Chinese calendar. At sa numerology sinabi nila ang two and three ‘pag pinagsama, five (so) buntis. Maganda ‘yun.”

Hindi naman itinatago ng dalawa na dahil sa kanilang edad ay baka mahirapan si Korina sa pagbubuntis subalit napayuhan naman umano sila ng doktor na malaki pa rin ang posibilidad na mangyari ito. Wika nga ni Korina, kailangang humabol kahit makaisang anak lamang sila.

Noong Agosto 11 din, Martes, sinimulan na ng magkasintahan ang pagtingin ng mga simbahan kung saan idadaos ang kanilang kasal. Bumisita muna sila sa Sto. Domingo, Church at nagustuhan nila rito ang malaking espasyo ng simbahan. Nais kasi ng dalawa na hindi lamang ang mga kamag-anak nila ang makapunta kundi ang kanilang mga tagasuporta.

Pangalawa naman nilang tiningnan ang Manila Cathedral sa Intramuros, Maynila at nagustuhan nila ang magandang sound system doon at authentic na pipe organ bukod pa sa malaki rin ang simbahan. Gayunpaman, hindi pa rin nakapagdesisyon ang dalawa dahil kailangan pa umano nilang makita ang ikatlong simbahan bago sila magdesisyon.

Nagkaroon din ng bonding ang dalawa dahil inilibot ni Sen. Mar si Korina sa kanyang mga probinsya upang makilala ng huli ang pinagmulan ng senador at ang mayamang kultura ng kanyang mga probinsiya.

Una silang nagtungo sa Bulacan kung saan bukod sa pagpapakilala sa mga kamag-anak ni Sen. Mar, sabay din nilang ginawa ang mga nakagawiang pamumuhay sa probinsya. Sumunod na pinagdalhan ng senador kay Korina ang Bacolod at Iloilo.

Sa loob ng dalawang buwan ay ikakasal na sila, at sinabi ni Sen. Mar kay Korina na ito ang kanyang tanging hangad. “Ito ang susunod na yugto sa pagsasama natin punung-puno ng tuwa ang puso ko at buong-buo ang loob ko na ito talaga ang susunod para sa atin,” mensahe ng senador kay Korina. “Dahil sa iyo nagbago lahat ang aking plano, ‘yung pinapangarap kong buhay at makakasama habambuhay, sa wakas ay magkakatotoo na rin. I love you,” sagot naman ni Korina sa kanyang kasintahan.

Mar, Korina's Wedding Date Set

Mar, Korina's Wedding Date Set
abs-cbnNEWS.com
August 16, 2009

MANILA – Months after announcing their engagement on television, Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and ABS-CBN News chief correspondent Korina Sanchez have finally unveiled the date of their much-anticipated wedding.

The high-profile couple announced on “The Buzz” that they are tying the knot on October 23.

The senator said they chose to get married in October because that month is special to them. Sanchez and his brother, Dinggoy, were both born in October, Roxas explained. Dinggoy passed away after battling cancer.

“[Iyong date na] 23 swerte sa amin ‘yan, both in astrology at Chinese calendar. Sa numerology naman sinabi nila 2 at 3 kapag pinagsama, 5, buntis. Maganda iyon,” Roxas said.

“The Buzz” reported that Roxas and Sanchez are still looking for the “perfect church” within Metro Manila. Among the churches being considered are Santo Domingo Church and Manila Cathedral, the entertainment show said.

Event organizer Mike Niñana said the couple wants a big church that will not only accommodate their respective families and friends but the public as well.

“Ang gusto nila invited ang public, magkasya. So ang importante, people's church. Pangalawa malaki, magkasya lahat, hindi lang iyong mga kaibigan nila. Alam mo naman sila public figures,” Niñana said.

The two have not been spared from speculations ever since they announced their engagement early this year. Rumor has it that Roxas, a possible presidential contender in 2010 elections, was merely using Sanchez for his political ambition.

The popular broadcaster, however, scoffed at insinuation that the two of them are settling down only to boost Roxas’ reported bid for the presidency.

The broadcaster told StarStudio magazine that she and Roxas, her boyfriend of five years, are getting married because they believe now “is the best time for both of us” to do so.

Korina Sanchez Says Details Of Her Wedding Will Be Revealed Next Week

Korina Sanchez Says Details Of Her Wedding Will Be Revealed Next Week
abs-cbnNEWS.com
By: Bernie Franco
July 31, 2009

Korina Sanchez may be on indefinite leave from work but she still has her hands full. With the exemption of her weekly magazine program Rated K, the broadcast journalist has temporarily given up her regular news programs—namely TV Patrol and Bandila—to focus on her upcoming wedding with Senator Mar Roxas. She is personally handling the preparations for the big day and added that they will announce some details in a few days. “Parang every other day na akong may meeting sa kasal. Pina-fast track na namin and by next week, we can already make the announcement about the details of the wedding,” she confirmed.

The veteran anchorwoman also revealed that Rated K consumes much of her time even if it is only a once-a-week show. “Wala akong free time. I still do Rated K, which is once a week pero araw-araw lumalabas ako. Hindi uso ang free time sa akin,” she shared. “Nag-leave ako para lang ako magtrabaho sa iba pang bagay. Ang Rated K kasi masyado ‘yang demanding so nakakalibot pa rin ako ng buong Pilipinas dahil sa Rated K. At the same time, ako’y nakikipag-usap sa iba pang grupo sa kababaihan at namimigay ako ng tsinelas sa mga bata. Humahanap ako kung saan ako puwedeng mamigay ng computer sa mga eskuwelahan. At ang lahat ng tumapik sa akin para humingi ng tulong, sinusubukan ko talagang matulungan, so I’m very very busy.”

With her leave of absence on its third month, Korina said that she does not feel any separation anxiety from the work which she has been doing for 25 years. “’Yung five hours of sleep (because of work) hindi ko nami-miss ‘yon,” she declared. “Ngayon talaga busy ako pero kailangan ko eight hours of sleep. What I miss is radio talaga. Dun talaga araw-araw ka nakikipagkuwentuhan kahit na ano pwede mong gawin.”

With her future husband getting criticisms for being vocal of his disapproval of the administration, Korina said that they share the same sentiments, and that they both welcome the criticisms. “Kasi kahit naman sa aking mga komentaryo dati pa, oposisyon na ako eh,” she pointed out. “Marami kasing bagay na magaganda namang nangyari sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong (Gloria) Arroyo pero mas marami ang anomalya eh. Mas marami ang di maipaliwanag na pondong nawawala. Marami ang nagpayaman na hindi maipaliwanag.”

Korina said that she’s waiting for Sen. Mar to officially declare his candidacy for the 2010 presidential elections before she can comment on any question about her opinion on the possibility of becoming the First Lady of the Philppines.

Korina Starts Campaign For Roxas

Korina Starts Campaign For Roxas
The News Today
By: Joel E. Capundan
July 31, 2009

ROXAS CITY – ABS-CBN television personality and soon to be wife of Sen. Mar Roxas has officially endorsed the presidential bid of Roxas as well as his political allies here last Sunday.

Endorsed by Ms. Sanchez were: Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr, Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras, brother Board Member Esteban “Nonoy” Contreras and Board Member Alfonso “Bo” Bediones.

Sanchez, along with crew members of her TV program “Rated K”, were here on Sunday to give slippers to hundreds of poor school children in Sitio Pagutok, Barangay Milibili, Roxas City thru members of the ‘Gawad Kalinga’.

In her message, Sanchez urged the Capiznons to support a candidate who is never tainted with corruption issues, has no vises such as smoking and gambling, and most of all is not a womanizer.

Sanchez also urged them not to vote a candidate who claims in TV and radio commercials that he came from a poor family that became rich but steal people’s money.

Sanchez, along with Tanco and wife Fatima, Mayor Contreras and wife Jinkelyn, Board Members Bediones and Contreras gave away hundreds of bags containing notebooks, perfumes, etc., all having pictures of Sanchez and Sen. Roxas, to women associations in Pontevedra and Ivisan.

The “Rated K” host also endorsed Sen. Roxas at the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) where hundreds of students from Capiz State University (Capsu) had a two days leadership seminar which ended last Sunday.

Sanchez said that she is now on leave at his program Bandila, commentary program at DZMM and several others at ABS-CBN just to endorse and campaign for Sen. Roxas’ presidential bid in 2010.

“I’m very sad to leave my profession as member of the fourth estate for I practice it for almost 25 years,” Sanchez said adding that she will sacrifice it for the sake of Sen. Roxas.

She also announced that Sen.Roxas will marry her in the month of October as she invited anyone for their wedding in Manila.

Sanchez proceeded to Balasan, Iloilo for another speaking engagement as fiesta coronation night speaker.

Korina Sanchez Defends Mar From Critics

Korina Sanchez Defends Mar From Critics
abs-cbnNEWS.com
By: Reyma Buan-Deveza
July 31,2009

MANILA - Veteran broadcaster Korina Sanchez is standing by her man.

Sanchez, who is engaged to Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, is unfazed by the criticisms being hurled at her fiancé.

"Ako ay natutuwa na binabatikos siya. Kasi kung halimbawa ang tao ay medyo galit doon sa bumabatikos sa kanya, di ibig sabihin si Sen. Mar Roxas na ngayon ang tunay na opposition," Sanchez said after her first ever live chat on ABS-CBN.com Thursday.

Sanchez pointed out that Roxas, a known critic of President Arroyo, strongly opposes corruption and anomalies under the present administration. She added that the Arroyo administration has a lot to explain to the public.

"Mas marami ang hindi maipaliwanag na pondong nawawala, mas marami ang nagpayaman ng hindi maipaliwanag, napakaraming pandaraya na nangyari. May mga testigo, may mga ebidensiya, may maraming kaso na hindi umuusad. Mayroong napakaraming pera na hindi mo alam kung saan ginagamit. Mas maraming tao ang humirap," she said.

During her State of the Nation Address on Monday, Mrs. Arroyo took a swipe at her critics including Roxas.

Pointing to her decision to pass a tougher Cheaper Medicines Law, Mrs. Arroyo gave this piece of advice: "To those who want to be President, this advice: If you want something done, do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don't pander. Don't say bad words in public. Just do it."

The verbal swipe drew laughs and loud applause from the audience inside the Batasang Pambansa as it reminded them of Roxas expletive during an anti-Charter change rally in Makati last year.

Meanwhile, when asked if she is now ready to become the country’s first lady, Sanchez declined to comment, saying she is not yet thinking about it. She also noted that the senator has yet to declare his candidacy.

The broadcaster is now busy planning for their much-anticipated wedding. She said the big day will take place in Metro Manila before the end of the year.