Over the weekend, a lot of plans were forced to be put up in the air after an airplane skidded off the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Friday, Aug. 17.
Among the thousands of passengers who missed prior commitments were celebrities set to attend Nikki Valdez’s wedding to Luis Garcia in Hong Kong.
Nikki Valdez, Luis Garcia and Olivia. Image: Nice Print Photography
Bittersweet as it was to have loved ones missing from the much-awaited occasion, Valdez remained grateful: “This day has proven that nothing can stop us from celebrating the most important occasion of our lives — not even Xiamen Airlines!”
“Napakayaman talaga namin sa kaibigan and this unfortunate event has proven kung gaano karaming nagmamahal sa amin ni Luis,” she said. (We are so rich in friendship and this unfortunate event has proven how many people love us.)
She shared the struggles of those who tried to come to the wedding amid the circumstances.
One of those was best friend Kaye Abad, with whom she video chatted with before she walked down the aisle. In a picture captured by Nice Print Photography, Valdez and daughter Olivia are seen talking to Abad and her son Pio Joaquin over the phone.
“We laughed and cried together virtually,” she said. “She was at the airport with Paul Jake for 10 hours or more trying to make it to their flight but to no avail.”
On Abad’s wedding to Paul Jake Castillo in December 2016, Valdez was a helping hand even in the planning. The two women forged a friendship dating back to the 1997 show “Kaybol (Ang Bagong TV)”.
Stylist Patricia Coronado, actress Jodi Sta. Maria, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Shaina Magdayao were also unfortunately dealt with canceled flights.
Thankfully, “Ang Tanging Ina Mo” co-star Marvin Agustin and director Mae Cruz Alviar made it to the big day.
“The most intimate and touching wedding I have been [to],” remarked Agustin, as stated in a portrait with the bride and groom which he shared with fans via Instagram.
In the end, the actress looked at the positive side: “Ang importante hindi nagcancel ang groom ko!” (The important thing is that my groom didn’t cancel!) JB
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