Take a trip down memory lane as Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. shared the video of his centennial wedding ceremony with actress and politician Representative Lani Mercado (Cavite, 2nd District) that took place on March 25, 1998, at Imus Cathedral in Cavite.

Debuting on Youtube on Nov. 8, Bong and Lani showcased wedding traditions of the Spanish period during the star-studded occasion. It was the second wedding for one of the country's most enduring and well-loved couples. Lani and Bong's first wedding was a simple civil ceremony in Glendale, California, on May 28, 1986.

On the occasion of the centennial year of the Philippine Revolution, Bong and Lani have decided to hold a grand church wedding in the province of Cavite, the very birthplace of the Philippine Republic.

It felt as though a large crowd had emerged from a movie scene. Designer Danilo Franco created a beige and gold Filipiniana theme for the wedding. 

Guests rode a horse-drawn carriage called a calesa on their way to the wedding. Dressed in an Aguinaldo-inspired outfit, Bong traveled to the church while riding a white horse. 

Action stars Efren Reyes Jr., Dante Varona, and King Gutierrez, dressed as revolutionary soldiers and all on horseback, served as the honor guard, according to details provided by Andrew Pacumio.

Lani was stunning in a Maria Clara inspired wedding gown when she marched down the aisle. Lani's mother and brother escorted her down the aisle due to her father's illness.

The wedding had a guest list that included prominent figures from politics and show business: President Fidel V. Ramos, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fernando Poe Jr., Cynthia Villar, Philip Salvador, Kris Aquino, Rudy Fernandez, Lorna Tolentino, Tony Seva, Armida Siguion Reyna, Alfredo Lim, Helena Benitez, Jose De Venecia, Gina De Venecia, German Moreno, Lolit Solis, etc. Bishop Manuel Sobrepenas, Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, and two other priests officiated the wedding.

During the open-air reception, guests enjoyed cultural production numbers. OPM icons Chad Borja and Ivy Violan entertained everyone by singing a few musical numbers. Halfway through the reception, the joyful gathering was unexpectedly interrupted by a sudden downpour. 

Despite the rain, the newlyweds requested their guests to stay. Lani and Bong entertained their guests by singing "Dahil Sa'yo." They ended the reception by giving thanks to the guests and everyone who made the centennial wedding a success.

Les Bautista, who conceptualized the whole centennial wedding, said Bong wanted an event in one place. "So everything is all about Cavite. The food, the menu plus the special numbers. Iba't ibang uri ng larawan ng pag-ibig sa Cavite. Pag-ibig sa Diyos, pag-ibig sa kapwa tao, pag-ibig sa Inang Bayan. In costumes, the parade, in ritual dances, it was a total approach pati sa simbahan." 

Bautista, who had been researching the Philippines for many years, added: "When Lani asked for my help, I told her to focus on Cavite."

First meeting

Jesusa Victoria G. Hernandez (Lani Mercado) was only 14 when she met Jose Marie Bautista (Bong Revilla Jr.), who was 15. Upon returning from the US, Bong expressed his desire to join local showbiz. 

As such, Bong requested to be paired with Lani for a professional photo shoot. This opportunity would allow him to gain exposure and establish himself within the industry.

"Ang style niya nagpapadala muna siya ng roses. May messenger tapos nakalagay sa card JR. Sabi ko sino na itong JR na ito? Noong mga panahon na yun maraming nanliligaw. One time inimbestigahan ng father ko. Pinapasok yung nagdeliver ng bulaklak at tinanong, 'Taga saan ba kayo? Taga Cavite po.' So nabuking na agad ng father ko. I think that time noon may nagpadala uli ng bulaklak. Siya na uli ang nagdala," recalled Lani.

The romantic relationship between Bong and Lani gained a serious outlook when she got pregnant with their first child, Bryan. They were later blessed with five more children: Jolo, Inah, Gianna, Loudette and Ram.

"Usong-uso noon ang young marriages sa show business. So I told them since Bong's family is going to take a vacation in the States, pumunta tayo sa America at doon tayo magpakasal. In case hindi magwork out yung marriage namin, may privilege kami ng divorce. Alanganin talaga kami kasi pareho kaming bata but we want to show the people na he wants to assume the responsibility," Lani also said.

Bong, who was then the governor of Cavite, had promised Lani's father that he would marry her in a church in the Philippines.

"Noong okay pa ang papa niya, naipangako ko sa kanya noon na papa, sabi ko I will marry Lani sa simbahan. At the same,l ma-fulfill na rin yung pangako ko na pakakasalan ko siya rito sa Pilipinas," Bong said.

Lani added: "Kumbaga yung pagkakataon na yun na ihahatid ako ng father ko sa altar, this is one my dreams for my wedding. Yan ang hindi naganap noong ikinasal kami sa Amerika. Ang papa ko sana ang maghahatid pero since may karamdaman ang father ko, pero ang wish ko andun pa rin." 

Actor Philip Salvador, one of the best friends of Bong, said in the video: "Si Pareng Bong, pag binuksan mo ang puso niyan, si Mareng Lani pa rin ang makikita mo. Kaya itong pangalawang beses nilang magpapakasal, pangatlo,pang-apat, pang-lima, si Mareng Lani pa rin ang pakakasalan ni Pareng Bong."

Watch the centennial wedding video:

Sweet message

On March 25, 2019, Bong recalled the centennial wedding in a sweet message to Lani. He also uploaded a photo of the church wedding. The senator wrote:

"Parang isang iglap lang ang lumipas, 21 years na pala.

"It has already been over 2 decades na pala nang humarap tayo sa Panginoon para ialay sa Kanya ang ating pagsasama bilang mag-asawa.

"I cannot imagine a different life than this one I have with you and our children. Ikaw nga ang pinakamalaking biyaya na ibinigay sa akin ng Diyos.

"You are my source of strength and inspiration. You are the reason we have beautiful and upright children. You are the linchpin of our family.

"Lalo na nitong nagdaang limang taon, ikaw ang pumasan ng pagiging ina at ama ng ating mga anak, kasabay rin ang pagpasan ng aking napakabigat na pasanin.

"Happy 21st anniversary Mama. Hindi man tayo magkasama sa araw na ito, I know we are always with one another."