Select media to cover Mar-Korina grand wedding

MANILA, Philippines -- The grand wedding reception for 10,000 at the Araneta Coliseum may have been cancelled but, based on the guidelines released to the media, the much-awaited wedding on Tuesday of Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas III and TV journalist Korina Sanchez promises to equal that of a state occasion.
In a letter sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, lawyer Blas James Viterbo, the senator’s chief-of-staff, said only select media organizations were invited to the event at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. And they will have to follow the strict coverage guidelines.
“Due to limited space, only photographers and news crew from selected publications and news services have been sent this invitation,” Viterbo said.
“Furthermore, there would be designated positions for photographers. Lots would be drawn as to their assigned position at the time they get their passes,” he added.
A media advisory attached to Vierbo’s letter said that the coverage would be a “pool operation” so “photographers are encouraged to share materials with each other.”
“Pool” coverages are usually reserved for big time events when reporters or photographers share their material because not everyone can be accommodated due to space constraints or the formal setting of these coverages.
This usually happens during presidential trips abroad, like a visit to the White House. Photographers are assigned areas from where they can take pictures -- and are not allowed to loiter -- while on some occasions, only one reporter is allowed to ask questions.
“Lots will be drawn in the registration area to determine the assigned position of the photographers,” the advisory said.
“Reporters and photographers will be ushered to their respective positions inside the church, from the registration booths,” it added.
The advisory also mentions a strict dress code for the wedding, which is expected to draw the crème dela crème of Philippine high society.
“Covering media are strictly advised to wear Filipiniana attire,” the advisory said.
“All media covering are advised to be present not later than 2 p.m. Church doors will be closed at exactly 3 p.m.,” it added.

Mar-Korina wedding set!

As you must have noticed, there’s no question mark in today’s headline, just an exclamation point. Yes, it’s definite: Sen. Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez are getting married before the year is over — yes, very soon!

According to Funfare’s unimpeachable DPA, Mar is being “traditional” with the whole thing, starting with informing the Roxases and the Aranetas about the long-delayed wedding, followed by a pamanhikan with Korina’s siblings (both Korina’s parents are gone) anytime next week.

No date has been set for the wedding which promises to bring together bigwigs from both politics and showbiz, and the business sector as well, since it will, although informally, signal the start of Mar’s march to...Malacañang? In fact, he has already taken the initial bold step as shown by the TV plugs showing him driving a tricycle while encouraging the kids to pursue their dreams. Mar is definitely running for President in 2010, with Korina beside him during the grueling campaign.

Yesterday morning, Korina was with the Araneta-Roxas clan during the wreath-laying ceremonies at the tomb of President Manuel Roxas at the North Cemetery, marking his 61st death anniversary. (Roxas was the first president of the independent Republic of the Philippines.)

“It’s Korina’s first time to be seen in public with the clan, although she has been joining the family gatherings,” said the Funfare DPA. “The Aranetas and the Roxases treat Korina as a member of the family. When Mar met the movie press at a post-Christmas party last January at the White House (Bahay na Puti, the Aranetas’ sprawling residence in Cubao, Quezon City), he was joined by his mom, Judy Araneta-Roxas, his sister Ria Roxas-Ojeda, his cousins... and Korina.”

The wedding is anti-climactic. Since they started going steady a few years ago, there has been continuous speculation that Mar and Korina would eventually end up at the altar. But neither of them confirmed it — until Monday when Mar will make an “important announcement.”

Stay tuned for further details.