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They smiled, shook hands, and exchanged greetings at the Metropolitan Cebu Cathedral.
Some churchgoers applauded as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former President Joseph Estrada, the man she pardoned for plundering the nation, went through their paces yesterday as principal sponsors of a wedding whose bride and groom come from two Cebu political clans.
After the ceremony, both leaders ended up walking down the aisle together with arms linked.
“This is a good beginning,” said Antique Gov. Sally Saldivar-Perez, one of several VIP sponsors at the union of Liloan Mayor Vincent Duke Frasco and Ma. Esperanza Christina Codilla, eldest daughter of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia,
While much was made of the show of “unity” of two presidents on opposite camps, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, in his homily, focused on the importance of family above political ties.
“In the twilight of one's years, it is the family who will take care of you, long after your constituents have forgotten you,” Vidal said.
He said politics should not get in the way of family relationships. While power is intoxicating, in the end, only the family remains.
“No matter what family you come from, whether from a prominent or a political clan or an ordinary working class family, all weddings are the same. It is a bond between man and woman, made by God in His own image to sanctify human love and to share His divine power of creating the human person,” said Vidal.
It was the first time President Arroyo and her predecessor met face to face after Estrada was jailed six years ago.
The sight of the two walking together down the aisle evokes a sense of national reconciliation, even if only for the nuptials, said Antique Governor Perez. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde agreed, saying the exchange of pleasantries between the two leaders was “something that needs to be followed up.”
Arroyo approached Estrada first and greeted him before going to her assigned seat, according to Ernesto Maceda, spokesman of the United Opposition (UNO) party. Estrada returned the gesture during the Mass, when Cardinal Vidal, called for the faithful to exchange the sign of peace.
The wedding, with theme colors of red and champagne, was scheduled at 4 p.m. President Arroyo arrived in a pink gown a few minutes after Estrada showed up in a barong Tagalog with guests Juan Ponce Enrile and Ilocos Rep. Bongbong Marcos.
Female sponsors sat in the left side pews, while the men stayed on the right.
The wedding also brought together Vice President Noli de Castro and Sen. Loren Legarda. De Castro beat Legarda in the 2004 vice presidential race, which the senator has contested before the courts.
At the wedding procession, Legarda was escorted by Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chief Winston Garcia.
Estrada walked down the aisle with Cebu philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon, a close friend.
They were followed by President Arroyo who was paired with Vice President de Castro.
Actor Rex Cortez, a known Estrada supporter, said Estrada didn't want to be paired with Arroyo at the wedding march but somehow ended up walking with the her down the aisle as the different sponsors made their ceremonial exit.
“Imagine even in Manila hindi ito nangyayari that (it never happened that) GMA and Erap are together in one occasion. Everything was spontaneous. It's as if they just followed the natural flow,” Cortez said.
Other wedding sponsors were businessman Roberto Aboitiz, Sun.Star publisher Jesus “Sonny” Garcia and wife, Russian honorary consul Armi Garcia, Yeung, the Antique governor, former Mandaue first lady Linda Ouano , Tourism Undersecreatry Phineas Alburo and Manila businessman Atom Henares, estranged husband of cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vicky Belo.
After the wedding rites, Arroyo was called to pose for photos with the newlyweds and their families. Estrada was next.
President Arroyo and Vice President de Castro skipped the wedding banquet at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in deference to the 10-day mourning period for the late president Corazon Aquino.
Arroyo instead went to Canduman in Mandaue City to check the status of a bridge project. She is expected to leave Cebu today. Only Estrada and Senator Legarda stayed for the wedding reception.
Governor Garcia said both national leaders deserve credit for accepting the wedding invitation and for being cordial to each other.
The governor, who wore a champagne gown by Cebu designer Carey Santiago, said she was happy that her daughter, a lawyer, married Frasco.
“Nindot kayo sila (They're good together.) Christina found a very good person and I have gained another son. Usa ra ba ang akong anak nga lalaki (I only have one son).”
Garcia's three children - Christina, Paulo and Carissa - are all married.
