The Senator & his Lady
Sen. Koko Pimentel and his fiancée, Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu, are set for their civil wedding on Oct. 18 at the Coconut Palace
‘It was love at first sight,’ confessed Koko. ‘I was impressed with what I saw, with Kath’s demeanor...very lady-like and very willing to share stories.’
Did you know that coffee plays an important role in the romance between Sen. Aguilino ”Koko” Pimentel and Ma. Anna Kathryna Yu?
Every time Koko would host lunch or dinner at his Senate office, he always tapped Kathryna to cater. She used to run an Italian restaurant and do catering on the side.
Although not a coffee drinker, Koko would let nobody but Kathryna prepare his coffee espresso and Kathryna initially wondered why.
“The truth is that I am not a coffee drinker,” laughed Koko over dinner Sunday night at the Canton Road restaurant of Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). “Actually, I would hide the coffee. That was just my way of endearing myself to Kathryna.”
That was how the “courtship” started in 2013. Koko, 55, and Kathryna, 35, became steadies and they are getting married in civil rites on Oct. 18 at the Coconut Palace with Pres. DU30 leading the roster of principal sponsors.
Oops! That’s getting ahead of the story. Let’s hear it straight from Koko and Kathryna (who is a 50/50 Tsinay).
Sen. KOKO
How did you two meet?
“In late May 2013, I went out with some friends after my ‘victory party’ (to celebrate my win in the 2013 senatorial elections). I met Kath there as she was invited by a friend to follow us.” Was it love at first sight?
“Yes, because I was ‘impressed’ with what I saw and with her demeanor. She’s very lady-like and very willing to share stories.” When did you start dating?
“After Oct. 18, 2013. On that date, we had dinner with friends. And although we were in the company of other people, I think we made a ‘connection’ there and then.” When did you realize that you like her enough to ask her out?
“During that dinner on Oct. 18, I found her so interesting with her stories about her travels and food trips. She really revealed her foodie side that night. I told myself that I want to get to know this lady better.” Describe your first date.
“I first invited Kath to join me in a ‘function.’ I was invited to a dinner with a Japanese friend who had visitors from Japan. I brought Kath with me as well as my Chief of Staff. Our first time out where I invited her was therefore ‘part of work’ and with a group. But our first ‘date,’ if you can call it, that was when I brought her as my date to a ball (‘Mayor’s Gala’) organized by the City of Marikina in November 2013.” Describe your proposal.
“It was in late January 2018. I finally firmed up my plan to propose. I had wanted to marry her long ago but I had to first fix my ‘situation.’ I timed my proposal during Valentine’s over dinner. It was a very cerebral approach as I simply said, ‘Kath, I think it’s time for us to get
married and be a family with the boys (Aquilino Martin Emmanuel VI, 14; and Aquilino Justo ‘Akio’ Pimentel VII, nine years old). There was no drama. I was not on my knees when I proposed.”
How did you introduce her to your kids? How did your children respond to her?
“We just spent time with the boys and they immediately clicked with her. That was around November 2013. Martin wanted to talk to new acquaintances and Kath gladly gave him her time and attention. Kath also cooked for the boys and maybe she won Martin over immediately because Martin loves food, too. I’m sure that Akio, who was very young then, must have been desiring to have a mama. I am glad Kath and Akio bonded right away. I am so lucky to have found a willing and loving mama for the boys. I am also so happy for the boys that now they have a mama.” How did you tell them that you were marrying her?
“I just ‘announced’ to the boys and my family that Kath and I were getting married this October 2018. I don’t think the boys were surprised because they have been calling her ‘Mama Kath’ for the longest time already.” What is the significance of October 18?
“That’s the date in 2013 that we believe we made a ‘connection,’ when our eyes met, when I made it clear to her that I liked her. Also, October is Kath’s birth month. October 7 is her birthday.” Where will be the honeymoon?
“No final plans yet because we are going to delay the honeymoon until after the May 2019 elections.”
KATHRYNA
What is your term of endearment? “Babe.” What was your impression of Koko when you met him for the first time?
“I found him very charming. He was wearing eyeglasses which I thought fit him very well.” What was your reaction when Koko invited you for a date?
“Hahaha! At first, I didn’t take it seriously because I never dated a politician in my whole life. Maybe that was the reason also why I didn’t show up on his first lunch invitation.” How was Koko as a suitor?
“Very thoughtful and sweet. He always checked on me even if he was very busy with his work as a senator. He found time to text me daily, sent me food and visited me after his session.” Describe your first date.
“It was a group date! Our first date, just the two of us, was during the Marikina Ball in November 2013 organized by then Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman. Babe invited me to be his date.” Did you ever have second thoughts about going out with him? “Yes, because in my mind politicians are mostly ‘boleros.’ But as I got to know Sen. Koko Pimentel, I was proven wrong. Sen. Koko is very sincere, sweet, thoughtful and loving. People might not see his caring and sweet side but I can attest that he is very loving and sweet.” What was your parents’ reaction? “My family likes him because they saw how caring Sen. Koko is to me.” How is your relationship with his kids?
“Very good. I loved the two boys the moment I first met them. And I feel they love me, too, because they call me ‘Mama Kath.’ They called me ‘Mama Kath’ after just being with them a few times.” How is your relationship with Koko’s parents? “Our relationship is great! I have high respect for Sen. Koko’s Tatay and Nanay. I have admired Tatay Nene ever since I was a little girl as I have already heard about him at that time.” What are the highs and
lows of being in a relationship with a high-profile politician?
“Since I have been identified with Sen. Koko, I was able to head the humanitarian arm (PDP CARES) of his political party PDP LABAN. It is my relationship with him which has made me fulfill my dream of being of help to people in need. I have tremendously enjoyed my work with PDP CARES. But I have also realized that in the world of Philippine politics, we don’t know who our real friends are. But as much as possible we are genuinely friendly to all. But we are aware that in politics, friends come and go. If they stay, we are grateful. If they don’t stay, we understand.”
Are you ready for the challenges of being married to a busy politician?
“Yes, I am! And I am raring to campaign for Sen. Koko, and it will be the very first time for me to be involved in an election campaign (February to May 2019).” When did you know that he is the man for you? “When I saw how sincere he was to me and how loving he was to me.”
(The motif of the Koko-Kathryna wedding is Filipiniana, with Robert Blancaflor styling the event. Kath- ryna will wear a gown by Paul Cabral who will also design Koko’s Barong Tagalog. Koko’s sons are the Ring bearer and Bible bearer. Chef Florabel Yatco will take care of the food and Penk Ching the wedding cake. Junar Santos will do the bride’s hair and make-up. Teena Baretto will help with all the details.
The Principal Sponsors: Pres. DU30 and Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa-Sotto, Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Jinkee Pacquiao, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Mila Drilon, SAP Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Isabelle Faeh, Robert Obiedo and Rosemarie Obiedo, Abel Manliclic and Ambassadress Maria Cleofe Natividad, Gino Baltao and Ingrid Baltao, and lawyer Peter Sanchez and Evelyn Uy.) (E-mail reactions at entphilstar@
yahoo.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/
funfare or follow me on Instagram @ therealrickylo.)