Gold and Jong's love story
First dance as a husband
and wife
It was in January 2005, Dinagyang Festival when Ireneo "Jong"Grabato met Cherrie Gold Cajandig. Jong asked a common friend to introduce them but he failed to get her number. Their next meeting was in April 2005 and since then, he courted the woman of his dreams. He would send text messages to Gold everyday. Jong courted her the traditional way, too. He would send flowers and chocolates to Roxas City, where Gold lives, almost every week. It was in June 6, 2006 that Jong finally asked Gold for dinner and there, asked her if she would like to have him as her boyfriend.
The bride and her entourage
"Jong is a very loving, thoughtful and responsible person. I am lucky to have found him," Gold said. So, she answered him "yes."
The couple with Bishop Cajandig and
con-celebrants
Despite problems that are normal in a relationship, Gold and Jong's love for each other made theirs work. Another thing that bonded them was their love for dogs. In fact, they have 20 purebreds.
It was in December 2006 when Jong asked Gold to marry him "He is my ideal man. Of course, I answered him with a 'yes'," Gold told The News Today. On December 23, Jong met Gold's parents and asked for their approval.
With the groom's family
Alex Soncio designed the bride's gown as well as that of the entourage. Alex made sure that the gown is one-of-a-kind and fabulous so she would look like a princess. And she did! Gold glowed even more under the expertise of makeup artist and hairstylist Pepoy Tancinco of Stretch Center.
The couple with their male principal
sponsors
The cake was a seven-layered and royalty inspired and was expertly done by Yvone Villaluna. The mouth-watering food at the reception were made by Hotel del Rio; angelic voices rendered by the Tingug Choir; program hosting by Candy Doronila; and photography by J&R Studio.
The couple with their female principal
sponsors
Bishop Warlito Cajandig of Calapan Orienta, Mindoro and Gold's uncle, officiated the wedding.
The wedding cake
"We celebrated our wedding with happy thoughts and full of love in our hearts. We would like to give special mention to our parents, Mayor Rey Grabao and Lydia Grabato and Pablo Cajandig and Ney Cajandig for their support, love and understanding. We would like to thank the sponsors, entourage and guests who witnessed the wedding," Gold and Jong said.
The couple and their parents
They added, "God willed everything to be great that day. It was memorable because that day, we became one," Gold and Jong said.