THROUGH SONGS AND GREY HAIR. Rep. Roman Romulo and Councilor Shalani Soledad sing their theme song 'Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.' Photo By PAOLO SY

MANILA, Philippines — For the Students and Campuses Bulletin (SCB) team, pulling off this interview with Pasig Congressman Roman Romulo and Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad required going through a figurative whirlwind.

Take the fact that our usually laid-back team had to dress up for the occasion. The interview was at the swanky Manila Polo Club, where the couple held their wedding reception ahead of today’s nuptials, and guests were required to dress accordingly.

But that wasn’t even the most challenging part about the whole affair.

As soon as the couple entered the ballroom, they were immediately swept to the center of a swirling mass of well-wishers and constituents, all offering their congratulations and clamoring for photos with the happy couple. Yet, those well-wishers weren’t the only things that we had to contend with. There were also the other equally aggressive media outfits looking to ask their own questions.

However, if that was already harrowing for us, how much more could it have been for Roman and Shalani, who seem to have encountered nothing else but the whirlwind ever since their engagement became public September of last year?

For instance, that particular announcement was immediately greeted by a flurry of rumors, speculation, and skepticism. Does their age difference — Shalani is 33, while Roman is 44 — matter? Why was the engagement happening so quickly? Was there an actual love connection?

Or is this relationship born out of political expediency?

But in much the same way that calm can be found in the eye of a storm, Roman and Shalani have remained solid and steadfast in the middle of all the happening around them — be it media speculation or adoring well-wishers.

And as rushed as the engagement may seem to outsiders, the pair maintains that the relationship was slow to form. In interviews, the couple details how they first met, as well as the courtship that would involve trips to wakes, committee meetings, and tapings of the primetime TV show Shalani co-hosts.

The pair first met at a belated birthday lunch for Shalani at the Powerplant Mall. Girl sat at the end of the table and remained indifferent about boy’s presence, especially since girl had resolved to put dating to rest after her break up with now the most powerful person in the country in the previous year.

But the would-be suitor would prove to be insistent, weathering through the lady’s reluctance with constant text messages that would culminate with a chance meeting on Valenzuela Day. As a descendant of Pio Valenzuela, the man after which the city is named, Roman was on hand for the city’s celebrations. He finally got to come face-to -face with the pretty councilor.

From there, Roman would take any opportunity to be with Shalani, before finally accomplishing a breakthrough in the relationship in August. Entirely through accident, Roman found himself accompanying Shalani through the numerous activities that make up her hectic schedule.

It was worth it, however, as the pair found themselves quickly becoming closer. Soon enough, Roman knew it was time to pop the question, something which he did at the Our Lady of Fatima Church in Valenzuela.

That was last year.

Today, the couple is set to walk down the aisle in a simple ceremony involving only close friends and family.

While the two are building a love nest of their own, Shalani maintains that their political lives will still remain in the respective cities. Roman has one more term left as a congressman representing Pasig, while Shalani is on her last term as a Valenzuela councilor.

In this short and sweet 60 Minutes interview, the couple in the center of the whirlwind talks about the many small details that make up the ceremony that they are now taking part in. If nothing else, the pair is proof that love can indeed spring in the time of politics. (Ronald S. Lim)

STUDENT AND CAMPUSES BULLETIN (SCB): Are you anxious or excited about the wedding?

ROMAN ROMULO (RR): Mas ramdam ‘yung excitement. Kahit papaano, maraming preparations, pero most of the preparations, kami talaga ang gumawa. We did not leave it to others. Kahit papaano, alam namin kung ano ‘yung pumapasok kasi kami ang gumagawa ng preparations. It’s more exciting talaga.

SCB: And in the process, you’ve been able to enjoy each other’s company?

SHALANI SOLEDAD (SS): Of course, of course.

SCB: Is this the wedding you’ve always dreamed of?

SS: I’ve never had an ideal wedding. But ever since I was a kid, what I wanted was to be able to spend the rest of my life with someone that I love.

SCB: Your wedding gown by Inno Sotto, is it according to your own specifications?

SS: From the start, when he was asking me what kind of gown I wanted, ang sabi ko lang kay Inno, I want something simple lang with not too much details.

SCB: You’ve seen it already?

SS: Not yet. May pamahiin eh. Sinusundan namin ‘yung mga pamahiin.

SCB: Para sigurado?

SS: Wala namang mawawala (laughs).

SCB: (To Rep. Romulo) Who is doing your suit or barong?

RR: (Shyly) Ano lang ‘yung regular place na pinagagawan ko.

SCB: Aside from the gown, what else will be simple? Is there a color motif?

SS: The church décor is going to be very simple. Lavender and green. That’s my choice, both Roman and mine.

RR: Most of the details kami na rin ang nag-plano. Wala nang iba. We’re old enough. Ginawa na namin as simple as possible. (laughs)

SCB: You two both seem to have simple taste in everything…

RR: Okay naman di ba (smiles)?

SCB: Do you already have the wedding vows in mind?

RR: Fino-formulate pa rin. Siyempre may idea na pero ‘yung exact vow, fino-formulate pa rin. I guess pagdating sa moment na ‘yun mas madali.

SS: Wala pa (laughs)!

SCB: Who will bring you to the altar ?

SS: My Tito Mon. My mom will definitely be there as well as my dad.

SCB: Do you think you will cry?

RR: Ay, hindi ko alam (chuckles).

SCB: Do you have wedding jitters?

RR: Wala naman. I guess more busy kasi sa preparations sa wedding. Sa totoo lang we got the invitations this weekend lang that is why it was sent out Saturday and Sunday lang.

SCB: You’re donating part of the expenses to Sendong. How simple will it be?

SS: There’s not going to be much fanfare. It’s going to be a simple ceremony with family.

SCB: How many guests are you expecting?

SS: Konti lang, kasi we requested it that way.

PASIG OR VALENZUELA?

SCB: After the wedding, where will you live, in Valenzuela or in Pasig, where you two have your own constituents?

SS: We are having a house built in Pasig and a house in Valenzuela. Aside from our work and our constituents, magkakaroon din kami ng sarili naming bahay.

RR: Ah yeah, we will maintain two residences para she can maintain her service to her constituents then ako ‘yung sa Pasig naman.

SCB: How many days sa Pasig? How many days sa Valenzuela?

RR: Siguro it will depend how it turns out. ‘Yung mga events kanya kanya kami so siguro kung saan mas convenient. Kung sinuman makaka adjust. Ganun na lang.

SCB: What are your plans after the wedding? Are you going back to showbiz?

SS: I hope to continue what I have been doing.

SCB: How will you be as Mrs. Romulo? Will you be helping him in his work in Pasig? Are you thinking of projects already?

SS: Of course. From the start, Roman and I have always respected each other’s work. We will not encroach on each other, but we will be there to support and help each other.

SCB: What are your terms of endearment for each other?

RR: (Chuckles) Siguro sa amin na lang. Nakakahiya naman.