Isang matamis na “Yes, I do” ang natanggap ni Batangas Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas, 80, mula sa kanyang misis na si Atty. Angelica Chua, 32, sa naganap nilang pag-iisang diddib.
Nitong Miyerkules, May 8, 2024, ikinasal ang gobernador sa abogada na halos limampu (50) ang agwat ng edad sa kanya.
Idinaos ang kanilang kasal sa Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception sa Batangas City.
Sinundan ito ng engrandeng reception sa mismong provincial capitol ng Batangas, na pinalamutian para sa espesyal ba okasyon.
GOVERNOR MANDANAS AND ATTY. CHUA WEDDING VOWS
Sa wedding vows nina Governor Dodo Mandanas at Atty. Angelica Chia, sinambit nila sa harap ng mga bisita ang pagmamahal nila para sa isa’t isa.
Ayon sa gobernador, sa kabila ng malayong agwat ng kanilang edad, ang pagmamahal nila sa isa’t isa ang naglapit sa kanila papuntang kasalan na panghabambuhay.
Mensahe niya sa kaniyang kabiyak (base sa video clip na ini-upload ng ABS-CBN News): “Mahal, as we have made the vows earlier, I would like it to be very personal between us that I came here not only with own free will but full of love.
“Love which I know is a blessing from our Lord that we are allowed, permitted, granted to share and to participate because God is love and love is God.
“So, and very important, we are both ready to raise as good Christians the children whom God will give us and that is really the essence of our union, of our marriage.
“To have children, to be open to having children that we would raise in a Christian way and this I also repeat the vows that I have made earlier.
“That is my not only love but really loving and truly love, mahal, that I am ready whether it is going to be for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, till death do us part. Exclusive, Angelica, my love.”
Hindi naman napigilang mapahagulgol sa iyak ni Atty. Chua habang binabasa ang inihanda niyang wedding vow.
Dito ay pinasalamatan niya si Governor Mandanas sa pagmamahal na ipinapadama nito sa kanya.
Kalakip ang pangakong habambuhay niya itong aalagaan, mamahalin, susuportahan, at igagalang bilang kanyang asawa.
Mensahe ni Atty. Chua: “I‘ve had my heart broken so many times, that I guarded up and raised my standards so high, so high no one was supposed to reach it, so I won’t get hurt again, until you came.
“You showed me that I deserve to be loved and respected and that with you, I can put my guard down.
“So I thank you for having the courage to ask me to be your valentine and for choosing to spend the rest of your life with me.
“When we first started dating, you said that you need someone stronger than you.
“Today, in front of God, our families, and friends, and of all the Batangueños, I promise to be strong for you, to support you, to always be by your side, and to take good care of you.
“I promise to listen to you and your suggestions, but not necessarily follow you. It’s only just part of due process.”
Diin pa niya, “And if there‘s one thing I’d ask of you, it is for you to promise to stay for as long as you can, so I can grow old with you. I love you.”
VIP GUESTS AT GOV. MANDANAS AND ATTY. CHUA WEDDING
Bukod sa engrandeng seremonya, kapansin-pansin din ang mga bigating bisitang dumalo sa kasal nina Governor Mandanas at Atty. Chua.
Kabilang na rito sina President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, dating Pangulong Gloria Arroyo, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Batangas Vice-Governor Mark Leviste, at ang negosyanteng si Ramon Ang.
(L-R) Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Atty. Angelica Chua, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
(L-R) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Ramon Ang, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
GOVERNOR MANDANAS MARRIES ANEW
Noong April 2024, inanunsiyo mismo ni Governor Dodo Mandanas sa harap ng kanyang constituents ang papapakasal niya sa kay Atty. Angelica Chua, mahigit dalawang taon matapos niyang mabiyudo.
Si Governor Mandanas ay unang ikinasal sa dati niyang maybahay na si Anakalusugan Party-list nominee Regina Reyes.
Sa kasamaang palad, sumakabilang buhay si Reyes noong May 5, 2022, dahil sa pagkakaroon ng sepsis, o impeksiyon matapos nitong maoperahan.
