MANILA, Philippines - Emil Andre Garcia and Eleanor Jane Panganiban were married on a Saturday afternoon at the Sacred Heart Parish amid masses of white flowers, hedges of greenery and countless potted palms.

Lallie, as the bride is fondly called, is the daughter of prominent businessman Mario Panganiban and Jane Po-Panganiban. Emil is the only son of Dennis Garcia, president of Visayan Electric Co., and Petite Marquez-Garcia, president of the Arts Council.

Msgr. Cris Garcia, Emil?s uncle, was the main celebrant of the nuptial Mass. He reminded all that July 12 was the wedding anniversary of their ancestors Don Gil Garcia and Doña Teresa Escaño de Garcia.

Principal sponsors were family members and dear friends: Antonio Vicente Garcia, Teodoro Panganiban, Ramontito Garcia, Virgilio Villar, Manuel Tan and Mesdames Elena Chiongbian Young, Lucienne Aznar, Maris Garcia Serafica, Lucia Panganiban and Cynthia Marie Soriano.

Emil had his father as best man, a tradition in the Garcia family. Lallie was attended by bridesmaids Katrina Kokseng (bride to be of Horacio Misa come August), Ma. Lucienne Aznar and Beatrix Tan. Groomsmen were Michael Lim, Earl Betita and Lawrence Panganiban. Little attendants were flower girls Kristen Larrañaga and Amanda Tan, and pages Marco Tan and Francis Po with the coins and rings.

Secondary sponsors during the rites were Jay Young and Mary Rose Po for the candles; José Marko Sarmiento and Karleyna Ho, veil; Kenrick Lim and Cheryk Carcel, cord.

Pinky Marquez, Emil?s aunt, beautifully sang the psalms, while the responsorials were by the University of Cebu Choir. Readers were Juan Paulo Panganiban and Sven Serafica.

Grand reception

The reception was held at the Shangri-La in Mactan. Some 400 guests packed the ballroom for champagne cocktails and bite-size canapés. All awaited the clue to file out through a red carpet beneath a white awning.

The reception line was formed by the newlyweds, and their parents at the very entrance to the Marquee. It gave every guest the opportunity to express congratulations.

Momentous arrivals were those of Emil?s grandparents. Bert Marquez, dapper in a dark suit, was witty as ever, recalling his many years in Cebu when he headed the Shell Company here.

Then came Doña Moning Aberasturi de Garcia, radiantly beautiful as ever, in a blaze of heirloom jewelry, escorted by dashing sons, pretty daughters and a coterie of grandchildren. She makes rare social appearances save for family events.

Teresin Mendezona, with the aid of Pinky Chang and Jaime Chua, was praised for the décor at the church and the Marquee. Flowers everywhere and garlands of greenery formed trellises that dripped with crystal chandeliers.

Tables covered with embroidered jusi had centerpieces of lilies and white roses from Holland. Guests sat on delicate gilt chairs reminiscent of the Belle Époque salon at Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

Oh well, not everyone really, since Nena Espina-Garcia, goes everywhere with her own delicate rattan seat for better back support.

Dinner was served from various stations, be it baked salmon, prime rib, rack of lamb, seafood galore, salads, etc. Desserts occupied one long buffet, dominated by a magnificent wedding cake by Marissa Rodriguez Unchuan.

Eloquent speeches

Speeches and toasts were admirably eloquent and brief. Mario Panganiban?s advice to the newlyweds and everyone as well was, ?to always have God in your marriage.?

Dennis Garcia recalled Emil and Lallie?s 12 years of enduring love, and told him he is a lucky man. ?Be a good husband,? he said, ?And a good father to my grandchildren.?

With Pinky Marquez around and the RSVP band to back her up, there was music like ?Some Enchanted Evening? and the ubiquitous ?The Way You Look Tonight.? The bridal pair danced, so did the parents and quite a number of family members.

The hubbub among the ladies present at this point had to do with the beautiful gowns worn by Lallie, Jane and Petite. They had been done by Philip Rodriguez who sat with Marissa Fernan and Elvira Luym. Joining them later were Elo Fernan and daughter Memel Borromeo whose Skinworks clinic is responsible for some of Cebu?s most beautiful faces.

Dance music was played for the rest of the night. All seats were emptied, and everyone rushed to the dance floor for ?Celebration.? It was boisterous when ?We Are Family? was played, since 90 percent of the crowd was somehow related through Cebu?s intricate blood lines.

?We All Love You? was played as Doña Moning Garcia was about to leave with her entourage. The crowd danced disco-style. When Pinky Marquez belted out ?Last Dance,? it wasn?t midnight yet. And the last tune was well away. Crack of Dawn!