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Mike and Cara: Ilocandia’s Romeo and Juliet
The Marcoses and the Manglapuses are two prominent families in the Ilocos region. Their clans have even been political enemies for more than half a century.
So when Michael Ferdinand "Mike" Marcos Manotoc and Carina Amelia "Cara" Gamboa Manglapus tied the knot last Saturday at the historic Saint Augustine Church of Paoay in Ilocos Norte, some might have seen them as Ilocandia’s very own Romeo and Juliet without the sad ending.
Mike, a lawyer, is the grandson of Ferdinand Marcos of Batac, Ilocos Norte. Cara, an artist, is the granddaughter of Marcos' political foe Raul Manglapus of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
Marcos and Manglapus were rivals in the 1965 presidential elections, along with then President Diosdado Macapagal and nine other candidates. Marcos won.
During Martial Law, Manglapus and his family spent years in exile in the US. He also founded the Movement for A Free Philippines and remained one of the leading opposition figures alongside the likes of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and Jose Diokno.
When Marcos died in exile in 1989, Manglapus was among those who strongly opposed the return of his remains to the Philippines.
But true love indeed conquers all, because despite the conflict between their clans, Mike and Cara fell in love after meeting in 2014 at the wedding of one of Mike's cousins.
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos admitted that her son’s relationship with a Manglapus scion had no easy start.
“Napakasaya namin kasi sa wakas nagkaisa lahat ng tropa. Excited din kami talaga. Mahaba rin ang kanilang paghihirap, maraming sakripisyo, dahil tutol ang lahat sa Marcos and Manglapus pero ganun pa man andito na nga, love wins. Kahit Romeo and Juliet. Kahit Tagudin vs. Batac, eh panalo na ang Ilocandia,” she said.
“Maraming salamat. Thank you. We welcome Cara and Michael to the love that's Ilocano. To the family that's Ilocos,” she added.
The wedding also brought joy to the strongman's widow, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos.
“I’m very, very happy today because two families that was in contrast for so many years suddenly fell in love with each other. Well, I thank the Lord for this. It's only God who can put things together. And I thank Him for this that during my lifetime I was able to see the family merge,” the Ilocos Norte Representative said.
Mike and Cara officially got married at a private ceremony in Makati City last November 22. Their Ilocano wedding last Saturday was their “bales,” a traditional celebration held when Ilocanos marry outside their hometown.
Mike and Cara made their way to the historic Saint Augustine Church of Paoay in a horse-drawn carriage, with the bride wearing a gown of Abel Iloco fabric designed by Ilocano fashion icon Amor Albano.
The church's interior was decorated with flowers, while the lawn in front was covered with tables and chairs for the guests.
According to local folks, they have not seen an event as big as this in decades.
Security was so tight that there were checkpoints at every block leading to the church.
Friends and political allies from different parts of the country went to Paoay to witness the wedding, including Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu (who represented President Rodrigo Duterte), Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
“Like every married couple, I wish them long life and happiness and service of course to the people of Ilocos,” Roque said.
Lawyer Larry Gadon, who filed the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, was also present.
“Isipin mo ang dating magkaaway sa pulitika lang naman o hindi man magkaaway ay magkatunggali sa pulitika ay ngayon ay may pagkakataon na magkaisa ang kanilang mga pare-parehong angkan,” Gadon said.
The President's daughter, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, served as a special sponsor for the couple. Her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, is a native of Paoay.
She wished Mike and Cara a long and blissful married life and more happy and healthy children.
“Truthfully, we are 10 years married. We celebrated our 10 years last October 27. It is best if the husband and wife maintain separate finances so yes. So ganun kami, iba yung finances niya, iba yung finances ko,” Mayor Inday Sara said when asked about her advice to the newlyweds.
According to Ilocos Norte information officer Jun Godoy, there were about 4,000 guests at the wedding and the reception, which highlighted Ilocano wedding traditions.
One of these traditions is the pabitor, an opportunity to give gifts to the newlyweds and add to their initial funds as they start a family and settle down.
The couple has committed a large part of the amount from their “bitor” to the rehabilitation of Marawi; according to Godoy, P1.3 million of the bitor will be donated to the rehabilitation of a madrasah, or school.
“We are happy ganoon ang decision ng couple kung kailangan nila ng assistance sa paano nila i-extend ang support doon sa wedding gifts nila. We are ready. Davao City is ready to assist them,” Sara Duterte said. — BM, GMA News
