Valerie fantasizes about her ideal wedding

MANILA, Philippines — Plunging into marriage is obviously not a priority for TV host-actress Valerie Concepcion.

For one, she’s not comfortable discussing her private life in public. Although there are persistent rumors that she’s been dating basketball player Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros for more than two years now, Valerie is still elusive when matters of the heart is concerned.

In a one-on-one interview with Bulletin Entertainment, Valerie said special friendship is all there to her relationship with the basketeer. “We don’t want to talk about it. Ako, ‘yun ang bilin ko sa kanya,” Valerie shared during her launch as endorser of The Wedding Library which will hold its special event entitled “Major! Major! Weddings & Debuts” from Feb. 18 to 20 at the Megamall Megatrade Halls 1 and 2.

While refusing to give details about her romance with the SMB player, Valerie gamely answered questions about her ideal wedding.

Despite her seemingly woman of the world aura, the TV host prefers an “old fashioned na wedding.”

“Gusto ko sa church [ikasal]. Gusto ko nando’n lahat ng pamilya ko, lahat ng nagmamahal sa akin. I want a traditional wedding,” she intoned.

Would that include pamamanhikan, a Philippine tradition where the groom-to-be asks for the girl’s hand in marriage from her parents?

“Meron pa bang namamanhikan?” Valerie immediately retorted. “Kung meron pang namamanhikan, go! It is the proper way, so why not do it?”

An ideal age for Valerie to exchange I do’s is at 25. But then, putting a lot into consideration, she feels that the best time to marry is between 25 and 30.

“Before I was thinking 25 because my mom got married at 25. ‘Di ba parang tayo we look up to our parents. Ang tendency natin... ako ang naging tendency ko makasal ako when I reach the age of 25.
But then again medyo nag-iiba na ‘yung trend ng pagpapakasal ngayon. Ngayon nag-move na siya between 27 to 30.”

While getting married at this point is a far-fetched idea, Valerie believes, in God’s time she will find a man who will marry her.

“Ako naman, hindi naman ‘yon pinaplano. Kusa lang ‘yong dumarating... kung magkaroon ka ng boyfriend at talagang mahal na mahal mo at mag-propose siya. Hindi naman natin masabi. Only God knows.”

For this young single mother, a buffet of sumptuous Filipino dishes will make her happy at her wedding reception.

Alex del Rosario of the Juan Carlo the Caterer, one of the participants in the Major Major Wedding Fair, said he could easily whip up for Val and her groom an array of her favorite Filipino foods.

Juan Carlo was the caterer of the December wedding of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid in Batangas.

“I want Filipino food. As as person, very ano ako talaga, ma-rice akong masyado. Pero siyempre depende sa mapapangasawa ko. Kaya ko namang mag-adjust. Pero if I were to choose, Filipino food talaga like mga kare-kare, ‘yung traditional talaga.”

Quite surprisingly, Valerie’s is not much knowledgeable when it comes to flowers. She says she will be dependent on her wedding organizer for the flower arrangements.

“Naku, hindi ako magaling sa mga ganyan.Papabayaan ko na lang sa mga organizer. Wala akong favorite na flower na specific,” she unabashedly admitted.

For her wedding gown, Valerie could easily get the services of Edd Sy, a flamboyant fashion designer. Her specification: An off-white wedding dress.

“Dirty white for my dirty mind,” she said in jest. Hindi na bagay sa akin ang white kasi hindi na ako pure. Off-white na lang natin. Ayoko naman ng red. Masyadong lulutang ang ganda ko. Echos! I think I would want an off-white for my gown.”

Her daughter Heather Fiona’s participation in her wedding entourage depends on the child’s age by then.

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