Just when you thought 2016 has seen enough newsy weddings, with Manila’s so-called “It” girls getting hitched one after another in only three months, now comes the news that surprises, if not shocks, high society.
Dr. Danny Vasquez, widower of Ising Madrigal-Vasquez, married longtime friend, businesswoman Baby Cruz, in church rites at St. Paul’s church in Makati last Tuesday, attended only by close family and few friends, less than 50 of them.
Vasquez was married to Ising Madrigal, who passed away six months ago. Ising was the last of her generation of Madrigals, the industrial family since early 20th century which owned interests in shipping and other businesses, and vast real estate in the country.
Old wealth vestiges
The Madrigal fortune is one of the few old-wealth vestiges that remain. They have four children, two of whom, Miguel and Bela, passed away before their mother, a few years ago, both of them not yet in their senior years.
Ising was a Blue Lady (as the close friends and followers of then first lady Imelda Marcos were called). Her sister, the late Chito Madrigal-Collantes, was likewise a stalwart Blue Lady, a social arbiter and known philanthropist.
Ising was survived by her husband Danny, who remained devoted to her in her final ailing years, and two daughters, Marivic and Bea. Danny is said to be estranged from Marivic, who was not in the wedding.
A widow herself, Baby Cruz is a well-known entrepreneur, well-dressed lady and owner of the popular hair salon chain Franck Provost. She has been a longtime friend of Danny and Ising, and the three of them would usually be seen together at
social functions and at private dinners.
Standing as witnesses at the wedding were leading businesswoman Helen Yuchengco Dee (RCBC, Yuchengco Group of Companies), said to be a close friend of Baby, and former trade official Toting del Rosario, the groom’s best friend.
Sources described the rites: The groom walked down the aisle with his daughter Bea and grandson José, son of his late son Miguel.
Then the bride followed, wearing a beige Valentino gown, walking toward her groom.
The light moment came, according to our source: “As soon as Danny saw her, he pulled her to him and tried to kiss, but the priest had to stop him and said, ‘Mamaya pa po.’ And everybody laughed out loud.”
Our source added that there were only 30 guests in the small church.
Reception followed in two function rooms at Makati Shangri-La. The food was sumptuous, according to the source, and there was light dancing.
The atmosphere was fun and happy. Among the family guests was Commission on Elections chair Andy Bautista, a son-in-law of Baby. But his wife Trish wasn’t around.
Also present was Baby’s mahjong group, and so was lawyer Nilo Divina, the groom’s friend.
The widow of Miguel, the former Judy Duavit, flew in from Washington to attend the wedding. Her children Rosanna and José gave toasts to their lolo.
The groom looked so light-hearted and stronger than his years.
The bride was blooming, resplendent with her dazzling necklace of diamonds and emeralds. Just like Ising, she’s a known jewelry lover.
This wedding, no matter how small it was, took the cake from the weddings of today’s “It” girls, we dare say.