(via abs-cbnnews.com) Actor Robin Padilla, 42 and TV host Mariel Rodriguez, 26, tied the knot in Baguio City in a simple and very private ceremony officiated by a native priest, locally known as mambunong, from the Ibaloi tribe.

The Ibaloi people live mostly in the southern part of Benguet.

Jimmy Ong, who performed the one-and-a-half-hour ceremony, confirmed to ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview that the ceremony took place on Monday (September 13) , at around 3 p.m. in a compound owned by Padilla’s relatives in Barangay Camp 7.

The bride wore a woven ethnic clothing while the groom wore bahag during the native ceremony.  Robin’s youngest son Ali was present to witness the event.

Ong said he initially thought he was just attending a shooting, but was caught by surprise when he found the couple wearing traditional clothes of the Ibaloi.

“Tinanong ko si Robin kung kasal talaga ito. Sabi niya, ‘Oo, kasal talaga.’ Kaya sinimulan ko na,” he said.

During the ceremony, he said the couple drank tapuy (rice wine) to symbolize their love for each other.

They also danced Tayao, a native dance, to show that they are officially married, he said.

According to him, Padilla, a Muslim and whose mother is an Igorot, and Rodriguez, included the requisite native pig sacrifice, after which the animal’s blood was brushed on the couple’s cheeks to seal the bond.  This sacred ritual known as cañao which means “the whole world testifies that a person has wed.”

“Ang kasal na ito ay legal sa kultura ng mga Igorot… binasbasan ko sila na hanggang kamatayan magsasama sila,” he said.

After the traditional ceremony, the celebrity couple again got married in a ceremony officiated by a pastor and was held in a private home.

It was a whirlwind romance for Padilla and Rodriguez.

The 2 met on the set of the now defunct ABS-CBN noontime show “Wowowee” when Padilla subbed for Willie Revillame early this year.

Rodriguez was one of the female hosts of “Wowowee.”

Many people began to tease them, but they denied having a relationship. Weeks later, they finally admitted that they were dating.

On August 7, Padilla gave Rodriguez a diamond ring on “Entertainment Live” after declaring his love for her.

Ten days after the interview, Rodriguez took an “indefinite leave” from her new game-variety show, “Pilipinas, Win na Win!” to be with her new sweetheart.

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related links:

• Robin Padilla issues statement on “back-to-back wedding” with Mariel Rodriguez (PEP.ph)
• For real? Robin weds Mariel in Ibaloi rites (Inquirer)
• Robin on Wedding to Mariel: ‘Walang Kasal na Naganap!’ (Manila Bulletin)
• Ibaloi ‘mambunong’ dismayed over Robin Padilla’s denial (ABS-CBNnews.com)
• Celebrating Life: Courtship and Marriage Customs of the Ibaloi (Cordillera Online)

Here’s an excerpt from an article which appeared in Ricky Lo’s FUNFARE column in The Phil. Star:

Three weeks ago, the new set of officers of the OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit) of which Ogie Alcasid is president, took their oath of office before Pres. Noynoy for whom Ogie wrote two songs, one for the campaign plug and another (in collaboration with Noel Cabangon) for P-Noy’s inauguration as the 15th President of the Philippines last June 30 at the Quirino Grandstand. That was when Ogie invited P-Noy to be a member of the wedding entourage.

“I asked P-Noy to be one of our ninongs but he said mas bagay kung isa na lang siya sa mga abay.”

Reminded about a Filipino superstition (pamahiin) that an unmarried man or a woman who acts as principal sponsor runs the risk of delaying his/her own marriage or not marrying at all, Ogie was surprised. “I didn’t know that.”

The singer/songwriter cannot be entirely faulted for the faux pas. Afterall,  our country’s first bachelor President, back when he was still a presidential candidate, stood as a Principal Sponsor (replacing his mother Cory who was the original choice before she passed away) during the wedding of his running-mate Mar Roxas to broadcaster Korina Sanchez. Noynoy reportedly felt awkward for the role, being single and younger than Roxas.^[1] Prior to his inauguration, the President-elect (partnered with his sister, Pinky Aquino-Abellada) served as wedding sponsor to an LP partymate’s wedding.^[2]

To avoid such sticky situations, Filipinos should be aware of  the various superstitions we have to avoid offending the sensibilities of the people who may still believe them.  We have listed some Pinoy wedding superstitions so that soon-to-weds will have a general idea.

Going back to the above quoted article: Ricky Lo further asked if the soon-to-weds would also invite P-Noy’s girlfriend, Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad, to be P-Noy’s partner. Ogie said, “We haven’t decided yet. It’s up to Regine to choose the lady secondary sponsors.” [read full article]

Although a Malacañang wedding is not a part of P-Noy’s priorities^[3], he definitely doesn’t want to jinx it either.

In his keynote speech at the oathtaking, P-Noy’s took the chance to respond to Ogie’s wedding invitation, “Sa Disyembre, ako ang magiging abay nyo. Pagdating naman ng panahon, kayo ang magiging ninong at ninang ko.” ^[4]

December 22, 2010 is the rumored altar date for Ogie Alcasid & Regine Velasquez. The couple has not officially confirmed it.