Against All Odds

MANOTOC - MANGLAPUS WEDDING

The relationship of Michael “Mike” Manotoc and Carina “Cara” Manglapus has been likened to Romeo and Juliet’s by many. Their grandfathers—former president Ferdinand Marcos and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Raul Manglapus—were known to be on opposite ends of the political spectrum. But unlike the play’s bitter end, this couple successfully overcame their family’s past through a love match.

The two met at Luis Araneta and Xandra Rocha’s wedding, the former being Mike’s cousin while Cara was the bride’s guest. A relationship developed between the two, and was even strengthened by their baby’s birth. Their daughter Mia has since helped bring the two families closer together, making the couple’s decision to wed even more welcome.

A private wedding was held at the St Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Church in Makati City on 22 November, and was followed three days later by a bales— an Ilocano tradition of a reception for those who wed outside of their hometown. Mike and Cara also decided that the Php 1.3 million collected from their bitor —cash gifts for newlyweds—would be donated to the relief efforts of Marawi City.

In their vows, it is evident that both Mike and Cara have felt that this union was inevitable from the first day they met. Family feuds aside, they knew that they were meant to be and went against all odds. After all, love always wins in the end.