Love is a trio – Mr. and Mrs. Mark Romualdez and their daughter Gabriela.

“The first ‘cordless’ phone was made by God. It was the model called Prayer. It never lost a signal, the re-charging done by the Holy Spirit. It was “use anywhere, anytime and free” – Sent by Mike Rivera of Fairview

MANILA, Philippines — I like “new beginnings” for people with problematic pasts and meeting Rep. Jack Enrile Jr., of the lone district of Cagayan again after three decades of post-EDSA People Power revolution euphoria, produced mixed feelings.

I had met him when he was very young in the compound of the Ponce Enriles in posh Dasmarinas Village where his father Juan Ponce Enrile held court with the RAM boys led by his personal aide, Col. Gringo Honasan. It was also there in that ranch-type house that his mother Cristina, an arrestingly attractive woman and later appointed ambassador to the Vatican, regaled their dinner guests with her witty stories. The family chapel she had there is now bigger and more ornate, Jack told us. Jack himself now goes to Victory Church.

JPE had gone from being the co-author of Martial Law to EDSA Hero, especially when President Cory Aquino appointed him to her Cabinet. However, he fell out of grace with her after his RAM boys mounted several failed coup attempts. Unknown to most of us history watchers, the growing-up years of JPE’s only son Jack were nearly marred by his father’s achievements and at that time, notoriety as one of the dictator’s close friends.

Jack remembered wryly being beaten up by school bullies who hated his dad’s Marcos connections over a recent lunch at the family owned bistro. He always fought back although outnumbered, and nowadays he sees them often as some are neighbors. Philosophically, Jack shrugs off the childhood trauma.

At present of course, the brilliant JPE is looked up to as an astute statesman, steering the Senate through exciting times, especially in the forthcoming impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The rambunctious little boy has grown up to be a nearly-middle aged politician following in the footsteps of his Senate President dad. That he has sown all his “wild oats” is obvious as he recalled growing up in the US, being a hippie, a motorcycle freak, working at odd jobs and finally doing straight business where he succeeded. This period in his life, his some “pretty wild” years as a teen here too, he readily admitted, is over. He just had to “find himself” abroad after living in his father’s giant shadow here. He was called home to be in the family business by his father and he dutifully came home.

His “introduction” to Jesus Christ completely changed his outlook in life, and Jack settled down to a “milder lifestyle” with his wife and two children. Jack has matured “gracefully” and is now a certified family man who bears his “scars” like a badge of courage.

The congressman belongs to the NPC party and has espoused several bills on improving the lot of kasambahays (domestic help), food security and reforming credit card practices. All these ring glad bells for this corner! He really wants to be focused on national food security and has been cultivating his  already extensive  agriculture know-how.

In both his races to the House, Jack admits his father’s expert advice and grassroots network helped him, but he has come to his own now and is more confident in aiming for a higher elective position.

I just had to ask him about an issue which was always associated with the “old”

Jackie Enrile – Did you have anything to do with the death-suicide of  Alfie Anido, the boyfriend then of his only sister Katrina? He said he didn’t mind the question and didn’t mince any words answering it either. Looking at me squarely in the eye, he declared softly, “I had nothing at all to do with his death” and that, for me, was the final closure.

Watch out for more of Rep. Jack Enrile Jr., in the coming years.

Elsewhere, more new beginnings… When Unarosa boutique owner, fashion retailer Jovy Valenzuela Gongora finally walked down the aisle to tie the knot with fiancé Mark Reyes Romualdez, it was a production that was 15 years in the making.

The couple met in August 1996 during a seminar conducted by Philippine Seminars Inc. They officially got together a few months later, and so began a youthful and turbulent relationship that eventually led to the birth of their lovely daughter, Gabriela, in March 1998.

“We were pretty much on and off—more off than on—for 15 years,” shared Jovy candidly. Through all that, Mark and Jovy stayed in touch, remained friends, became awesome parents to their spirited daughter and would even spend time together with or without Gabriela. “Mark and I love to eat, drink with friends and take long drives out of the city to the beach for some scuba diving and snorkeling,” shares the bride.

The pair officially got back together February 2009 and their relationship has been going strong since. The proposal happened over a late night telephone conversation in November 2010. “It was nothing fancy or dramatic. We simply agreed that it was time to take things further. Gabby was apparently eavesdropping on our conversation while pretending to be asleep beside me,” Jovy shares. When asked how she felt about her parents finally deciding to tie the knot, Gabriela’s reply was, “finally!”

The much-anticipated wedding finally took place last Dec. 1, at the Archbishop’s Palace followed by an elegant reception at The Blue Leaf Silk Pavilion in McKinley Hill at The Fort. The celebration brought together VIPs like Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and wife Dr. Elenita Binay, Governor Casimiro Ynares  and wife Nini, Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Mega Magazine Editor in Chief Sari V. Yap, as well as friends and family of the bride and groom who flew in all the way from New York, Philadelphia, LA and Japan.

The bride looked stunning in a beautiful and elegant gown designed by Rhett Eala, as did her mother, Dr. Jazmine V. Gongora.  The bridal entourage wore gorgeous flowing dresses designed by Unarosa.