IT’S just as well na Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad decided to choose her Uncle Mon (Soledad) to bring her to the altar sa araw ng kanyang kasal kay Pasig City Congressman Roman Romulo sa Sunday, January 22.

Mon is the brother of Shalani’s mom.

At dahil two years ago lang nakilala ni Shalani ang kanyang tunay na ama (who turned out to be Bobby Aguirre of Banco Filipino), she grew up with her uncle Mon and his family.

Her mom, who later married a Yumol, was then working at kadalasan, ang trabaho nito required her to go abroad.

Ang desisyon ni Shalani to venture into politics was inspired by Mon, who used to be a councilor of Valenzuela City, too.

Shalani is now on her last term bilang councilor ng siyudad na nilakihan at kasalukuyang tinitirahan. Did we hear it right that she would either run for mayor or congressman next elections?

This early, nakasisiguro na si Shalani that she is marrying someone whose family is not only looked up to sa ating bansa, kundi mababait at kapita-pitagan pa.

Isa rin sa pinakamabait at matulunging tao na nakilala namin si Atty. Roman.         Nang magkaroon ng problema ang aming fellow entertainment writer na si Julie Bonifacio at kinailangan niya ang isang lawyer, we asked her to seek Atty. Roman’s advice.

To date, isang favor iyon from Atty. Roman na kanyang tinatanaw, ayon kay Julie.

Kaibigan din natin, Ian F., ang dalawang kapatid na babae ni Atty. Roman — sina Mons (formerly Tantoco) at Berna (Puyat). At kung tungkol sa pakikisama ang pag-uusapan, they are both tops, ’di ba?

Kung may kapintasan man daw si Atty. Roman, ayon sa mother niyang si Lovely Romulo (his dad is former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Romulo), ito ay ang pagiging irritable nito.

Napansin daw ni Ma’am Lovely na madali itong solusyunan ni Shalani. All her future daughter-in-law daw has to do is himas-himasin ang isang kamay ni Atty. Roman and that would be enough to bring a smile to his face.

Bagama’t ang personal na umaasikaso sa magaganap na kasalan sa Sunday sa St. Benedict Church, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, ay hindi professional wedding coordinators, kundi sina Mons at Berna, everything na may kinalaman sa Big Day, wika nga, has Shalani’s approval.

Ang pagkakaiba lang, anang malalapit sa mga Romulo, may tatak ng pagmamahal for their sister-in-law-to-be ang bawat bagay na ginawa nina Mons at Berna.

Well, congratulations and best wishes to Shalani and Atty. Romulo!

* * *

If plans do not miscarry, tiyak na magiging bride (in a real wedding, ha) ang former Miss International na si Precious Lara Quigaman this year.

Guess who the lucky groom will be?

Si Marco Alcaraz.

In an interview, binanggit ni Lara that they want a beach wedding. Kaya, out of town daw ang venue ng kasalan.

Right now, what is keeping Lara busy is her new show, 5 Girls and a Dad, which co-stars her for the first time with Richard Quan on Net 25.

Sayang at mukhang guest appearance lang ang role ni Lara, dahil after she gives birth sa kanyang limang anak, she will supposedly die in the story. Maiiwang single dad si Richard.

In any case, playing their five daughters are Dixie Nidic, Kate Nizedel, Abby Quilnat, Chesca Salcedo and Angel.

From a story of award-winning writer Lualhati Bautista, Elson Montalbo directs the new show.