Robin Padilla weds Mariel Rodriguez in tribal wedding at Baguio City

(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.

– – – – – – – – – –