Sen. Miriam, exacting bride, sets 18 ‘dos and don’ts’

How should a guest comport himself at a ruby wedding anniversary celebration, let alone that of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago?

Not to worry, the 66-year-old lawmaker has spelled out everything in an 18-point “dos and don’ts” guidelines for guests—led by President Benigno Aquino III, the best man—at the renewal of her wedding vows with husband Narciso Santiago Jr. at the Manila Cathedral on Sunday.

The rules are printed right in the eight-page official wedding invitation, which features a veritable who’s who of Philippine politics, business, media and society—including two former Presidents, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

They are very detailed and specific, like the one telling guests to “occupy the back row pews nearest the door, until called by the cathedral organizer to stand in line.”

Ushers “will be in uniform, wearing big red IDs with white ribbons.”

Concerning the reception at Manila Hotel, the couple wrote this rather droll message in the invite: “As an act of mercy, the couple will not exhibit photos or videos of themselves. Instead, we shall try very hard to convince certain participants to sing, with piano accompaniment.”

In an earlier interview, Defensor-Santiago had mentioned that the singers would include Estrada himself. A loyal ally of the deposed president and convicted plunderer, Defensor-Santiago had vigorously defended Estrada when he was impeached and put on trial and well after his ouster in 2001.

She was among the then opposition leaders who encouraged Estrada’s angry supporters to march to Malacañang in May 2001 in what would be known as the Labor Day siege, but which Estrada partisans call Edsa III.

The order of the procession will have Mr. Aquino standing in front of the altar, facing the aisle. His partner, bridesmaid Heart Evangelista, will then march “by herself toward the altar and stand beside the best man.”

Before proceeding to the altar, the senator and her husband will shake hands with Mr. Aquino and Evangelista.

“All participants should sit in the front pews,” the guidelines say. “In every group, the first pair should take the end of the pew, leaving the aisle for the last participant.”

At the end of the ceremony, which will be officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the couple and the President will remain at the altar for the customary photo-ops. They will be joined, in prescribed order, by Rosales, Evangelista, the secondary sponsors and the rest of the entourage.

“The recessional will be in reverse order, meaning the couple will start processing toward the exit,” guests are reminded in the invitation.

Ever the stickler for order, Defensor-Santiago had the event organizers issue IDs to media outlets allowed to cover the event.