Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera tie knot in grand ‘royal’ wedding

Showbiz couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera finally tied the knot in a grand wedding held Tuesday afternoon at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.

The couple first met and starred together on the GMA primetime series “Marimar” in 2007 and officially became engaged last August after Dingdong proposed to Marian on live television. In a year when several other showbiz couples either became engaged or also tied the knot, the wedding of the couple dubbed as “Dongyan” was widely anticipated to be the biggest of the year.

And indeed it was, with no less than President Benigno Aquino III serving as best man, eight bishops and seven priests celebrating the mass, plus 40 principal sponsors, 18 groomsmen and 18 bridesmaids and 20 secondary sponsors in attendance.

Among the principal sponsors of the so-called “royal wedding” were Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, Vic Sotto, Ogie Alcasid and wife Regine Velasquez, Helen Gamboa, Celia Rodriguez, GMA bigwigs Felipe Gozon, Gilberto Guavit, Jr. and Lilybeth Rasonable, TV5 executive Wilma Galvante, TAPE, Inc. Chairman Tony Tuviera, producers Wilson Tieng and “Mother” Lily Monteverde, Bench owner Ben Chan, fashion designer Randy Ortiz, directors Joyce Bernal, Mark Reyes and Mac Alejandre and Dr. Vicki Belo.

Those who stood as secondary sponsors included Richard Gomez and wife Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Ai-Ai delas Alas, KC Concepcion, Senator Bam Aquino and child sensation Ryzza Mae Dizon, who also served as flower girl.

Marian’s close showbiz friends Roxanne Barcelo and Ana Feleo were among her maids of honor while Dingdong’s brother, Jose Angelo Dantes, was among the best men.

Among the showbiz personalities listed as bridesmaids were Agot Isidro, Bettina Carlos, Rochelle Pangilinan and the recently married Bianca Gonzalez. Actor Paolo Contis was also one of the groomsmen.

Spotted in the wedding were Senator Tito Sotto, Anjo Yllana, Alden Richards, Pokwang and KC Montero who posted updates on social media.

Dingdong wore a Randy Ortiz beige-colored suit with a black bowtie and black trousers and arrived at his wedding in style riding a Ducati Diavel Monster 1100EVO motorcycle.

Marian looked ravishing in a gown especially designed for her by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco. The gown reportedly cost P2 million.

Marian’s Spanish father, Francisco Javier Gracia, flew in to personally witness his daughter’s special day.

The newlyweds reportedly invited over 700 guests to the reception which was held at the 18,000-seater Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

source: interaksyon.com

SM to collect P2 plastic bag charge in QC even without IRR

MANILA – A day before a ban on the use of plastic shopping bags takes effect, the Quezon City government has yet to provide retailers a copy of the implementing rules and regulations of the new ordinance.

Corazon Guidote, SM Investments Corp. head of investor relations, told InterAksyon.com that the conglomerate’s retail establishments in Quezon City will collect starting September 1 the P2 charge for every plastic bag customers use in line with the city ordinance.

The money raised would be remitted to the LGU once the IRR is in place, she said.

"It's easy to monitor all the transactions because they are all recorded in the cashier. We can monitor how many used the plastic bags," Guidote said.

Quezon City is one of the largest markets of the SM retail group, she said, with its largest mall in the Philippines located in North Edsa, housing three supermarkets and a department store.

"We have always been supportive of environmental initiatives. We've been doing it in Pasig through our hypermarket there," Guidote said.

The Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance will enforce a Plastic Recovery System Fee that charges a fixed amount of P2 per plastic bag used regardless of its size.

The collected fee will be part of a "green fund" that will finance various initiatives for the benefit of the environment.

Reusable bag users will be given incentives, giving them points that can be used later for purchase, and a “green lane,” which is a special counter for customers with reusable bags.

source: interaksyon.com