Past proposals recalled

JOHN Prats surprised fiancée Isabel Oli with a flash-mob proposal in a busy mall. Nice Print Photo

’Tis the season of show biz wedding proposals! The grander, the better. The urge to merge rages on in the biz.

After Chito Miranda-Neri Naig, Dingdong Dantes-Marian Rivera, Sen. Chiz Escudero-Heart Evangelista, it’s John Prats’ turn to propose to Isabel Oli with a flash mob and at the Eastwood Mall, no less.

Aside from a performance with 300 dancers, Nice Print Photo produced an AVP (with pictures and an interview with John), which was shown at the venue. Then John emerged and danced to the tune of “Marry Me.” A fireworks display followed.

The following engagement stories make me want to believe in marriage again. Whether the proposal is simple or grand, lovers shouldn’t mind the difference between dating and married life.

John Estrada

I didn’t have much time to plan my proposal to Priscilla (Meirelles) so it was just simple and sweet. While we were dining in a restaurant, I hid the ring in one of several chocolate boxes. Luckily, she picked the right box and I popped the question.

Boots Anson-Roa

King (Rodrigo) told me: “I won’t do it on bended knee because I may not be able to get up.” Then he presented a three-karat round Bulgari-cut engagement ring to me on Nov. 22 last year. I didn’t say yes right away. All I could mutter was “Wow.” After all, he was 74 and I was 68.

Lynn Cruz

I was waiting for my final interview with an airline company. But my future husband Pipo (Tirso Cruz III) asked me to choose between being a flight attendant or his wife. If I proceeded with the job interview, he told me, I would never see him again. But if I didn’t, we would spend the rest of our lives together. Of course, I chose him.

Shalani Soledad

Roman (Romulo) and I had been going out for three months, but we were not formally boyfriend-girlfriend. From dating, we went straight to engagement. One night, we passed by the Fatima Church, which I frequent. We were both on our knees, praying. After I stood up, he stayed kneeling, looked up, took the ring out of his pocket and asked, “Will you marry me?” I said “yes” and cried.

Suzi Entrata-Abrera

We were in Paolo’s (Abrera) apartment and we were giving each other rubdowns. I’m usually a lazy masseuse and he’s more patient. But that day, I employed all the techniques I knew which amused him. Then came my turn to be pampered. I was lying on my tummy and, as he was working on my left arm, he slipped a ring on my finger. Then there were waterworks galore and lots of hugging and kissing.

Precious Lara Quigaman

It was the most uneventful proposal ever. We were just at home when Marco (Alcaraz) suddenly said: “Let’s get married.” I said okay, adding that I wanted a black diamond ring like Sarah Jessica Parker’s in “Sex and the City.” Marco eventually got me the ring.

Jamie Rivera

I was in Oman preparing for a show when JB (Mendoza) called from Manila. He proposed by phone. Immediately and, I think, casually, I said “yes.” Then he booked the church (Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes) right away.

Yael Yuzon

I went for a simple proposal since I often came up with out-of-the-box surprises for Karylle. Going traditional was the surprise. I took her to the exact spot where we first kissed and it just happened.

KIM CHIU goes baroque in a Patricia Santos gown.

Vicky Morales

It was an ordinary work day and King (Reyno) picked me up after my news program to try a new resto. But he said we had to take the MRT so we wouldn’t be late. When we reached the Taft Ave. station, we hopped into our car and, before I knew it, we were at the airport—with our parents. We then boarded a flight to Thailand. After one of our family dinners, he took me to the reading room of the Oriental Hotel, sat me by the grand piano, and started to play one of our favorite songs. He pulled out a mini-Ziploc bag from his pocket and asked me to marry him. I said yes! That was perhaps the smartest major decision I’ve ever made in my life.

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Kim’s gown

Weeks after the Star Magic Ball, people are still raving about Kim Chiu’s gown. All eyes were on Kim, who wore a gown by Patricia Santos.

Patricia told me that it was baroque-inspired, a style that exudes drama, exuberance and grandeur.

Magical reunion

The reunion concert of Music and Magic, the show band that redefined Manila’s live entertainment scene in 1979, is set on Oct. 3, 8 p.m. at the PICC Plenary Hall (for tickets, call 9115555). After many years, the gang is together again for “Trending: Music and Magic The Reunion.” Senti time!