Dianne Medina (left) and Rodjun Cruz
For Dianne Medina and Rodjun Cruz, their wedding day would have been a perfect one if only their moms were around to witness it.
Rodjun lost his mom, Melody, to pancreatic cancer last February, while his dad Rodolfo Ilustre passed away in October 2009. On the other hand, Dianne’s mom, Maria Josefa “Vicky” Medina, died in July 2011.
“She was really looking forward to this day,” said Rodjun of his mother. “She treated Dianne like her own daughter. When Dianne and I would go out on dates, we sometimes took her with us. When I finally proposed to Dianne, Mama was so excited. In fact, she couldn’t contain her happiness.”
“I know that you’re proud of us; that you’re super happy today, wherever you are,” Rodjun said during the short tribute that the couple gave their moms at the wedding reception. “Now that you’re with dad, please continue to guide and pray for us. To Tita Vicky, I promise you that I will take good care of Dianne.”
When it was Dianne’s turn to deliver a message to her mom, tears were rolling down her cheeks. “Hi Mommy! It’s my wedding day. How I wish that you are here with me; that you could walk me down the aisle. I trust that you’re looking down from heaven at us and that you’re very happy for me. I hope you’re proud of me,” she said.
Dianne’s dad Prisco Tito Medina was seated quietly while listening to his daughter. Dianne’s sister, Kat, was her maid of honor.
Rodjun’s brothers Omar and Rayver were his best men. Among his groomsmen were actors Alden Richards, Matteo Guidicelli, Kristoffer Martin, Marc Abaya, Marco Alcaraz, Mickey Perz, Thou Reyes, Gerard Acao, Arron Villaflor, Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman.
Among Dianne’s bridesmaids were actresses Alex Gonzaga, Yasmien Kurdi, Charee Pineda, Janine Gutierrez, Andrea Torres, Max Collins and her cousin, 2016 Binibining Pilipinas Universe Maxine Medina.
The couple had 20 pairs of principal sponsors, which included Senators Bong Go, Manny Pacquiao, Grace Poe; mayors Francis Zamora, Joy Belmonte and Isko Moreno; as well as show biz personalities Robin Padilla, Willie Revillame, Vic Sotto, Annette Gozon, Roselle Monteverde, Redgie Magno, Lilybeth Rasonable and Leo Dominguez.
Last Saturday’s wedding ceremony at the Manila Cathedral began at 1:45 p.m. The couple arrived at 7 p.m. at the reception held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, where tables and chairs for 500 guests were set up.
While the two-course dinner was being served, family and close friends delivered their messages for the couple. Actor-dancer Rayver, Rodjun’s brother, recalled how surprised he was when he saw Dianne at his 18th birthday party, “when I didn’t even invite her because we weren’t that close. When I looked at RJ (Rodjun’s nickname) and he winked at me, I knew then na sobrang lakas ng tama n’ya kay Dianne.”
“People already know this, but what they don’t know is that RJ is bad at deboning fish—that he would always ask us to do it for him when he is eating. RJ also doesn’t know how to fold his clothes, and oftentimes, he would just leave his socks and shoes when he returns from the gym. Good luck to you, Dianne!” he said.
Dianne’s sister Kat added: “She has a very strong personality. If she wants to achieve something, she will work hard for it. But Dianne also has a soft side. She is generous, kind and very protective of her family. When mom passed away, she became one of our sources of strength. She stepped up to become the mommy figure for her siblings. I’m so proud of her. I couldn’t ask for a better sister. And RJ, know that I couldn’t ask for a better partner for Dianne than you.”
Dianne’s brother Xavier, who is married to Rodjun’s first cousin Andrea, told the groom: “A few years ago, you welcomed me into your family as a cousin-in-law. Now, this is me returning the favor by welcoming you to my family as a brother-in-law … When the going gets tough, always remember the choice you’ve made on this day and how special your love for each other is.”
Actor Arron Villaflor said he wished happiness for the couple in the next phase of their adventure. “Remember that you will resolve whatever problems you will encounter by simply sitting down and talking about them,” he said, adding that he would forever be grateful to the couple because “they were there for me during the time when I was feeling down. I really treasure them.”
Alex Gonzaga claimed to have witnessed how the two met and fell in love some 12 years ago. She admitted that she didn’t want Rodjun as Dianne’s boyfriend in the beginning because she was afraid she’d lose Dianne as a friend. “But I eventually became their third wheel at the time. I saw how strong their love for each other was,” she declared.
When it was the couple’s time to recite their vows for the guests at the reception, Dianne recalled the 12 years they shared. “We grew up together … The aches (caused by the death of their loved ones) forced us to grow up. Still, they also made me realize that there’s no one else I would have rather spent the last 12 years with than you. I promise to be beside you through the many lessons we will learn from hereon.”
She added that the real reason she fell in love with Rodjun was because he is very religious. “I know very few guys who are God-fearing,” she pointed out. “Thank you for what you have done for me and my family. My promise to your mom and dad is that I will love you and take care of you.”
Rodjun then thanked his wife “for choosing me and for letting me be your husband … Meeting you and becoming your friend was a blessing. Marrying you was an even bigger one. Today is only the beginning of the rest of our lives together.” INQ