Sunday, February 8, 2009

Here come the grooms: Kenneth Tirol Andan to wed Alvie Gonzales

Cong. Adam Relson Jala to lead guests, Steve Carosus will be the ‘officiating priest’ and Raul Gatal will be the wedding host

Surprise, surprise! Fabulous and classy socialite, handler and travel consultant Kenneth “Mizken” Tirol Andan is getting married. Yes! This piece of information is shared by a Bared reader (who also sent some undated pictures) with a message “It’s about time that Mizken is able to talk about his plan freely and his partner Alvie Torillo Gonzales!”

The soon-to-be-couple will exchange “I do’s” (but they call it “ring vows”) on March 22, 2009 (Sunday) at the Harbor View, Bohol Tropics Resort, this city.

“Everything is ready. They have already paid for the place and the guests are informed already,” the “anonymous” sender said.

On the other hand, “Cong. Adam Relson Jala and other friends are definitely invited to the wedding,” a friend, who is close to the couple, squeals. “Mizken wants Steve Carosus to be the minister. Steve was also the officiating minister to the wedding of Blaire and Patrick in Panglao.”


Mizken and Alvie have been going out for quite some time, and when Mizken (then
choked back tears of joy) announced the news that he’s getting married to his friends, they cheered wildly. Whatever, if any, controversy this creates, Mizken is used to it. Mizken famously "came out" after a promising singing and acting career on ABS-CBN when he was a teen and has been as open as anyone about being gay since then in Bohol.

Earlier, Mizken told friends he was "thrilled" about tying the knot. He’s so excited
and emotional now. He can’t imagine how that's going to be and they want it to be memorable.

"We are happy for them…Di bah we all deserve the same rights?" a friend said.

The invited guests and luminaries (yes, friends of the couple to be) who will give their inspirational speeches are Cong. Adam Jala, Jerber Mercado, Dr. Aileen Tan, Dennis Du, Loida Lagonoy, fashion icons EJ Relampagos, Maximiel Tallo, Henry Baron, Jan Del Valle, Baba yap, Ron Tan, Eric Ngo, Cathy Remperas, LJ Lumayag, Lalaine Husain, couple Jimabel Magallo-Ramirez and Geraldine Ramirez and Leizl Lim Gregorio.

Raul Gatal will be the master of ceremony, while Steve Carosus will be the officiating priest/minister.


It is not clear if what Mizken has to wear during that memorable day. He has invited fashion designers. However, the guests are advised to wear all white and should wear black slippers or black sandals only. Wearing of gowns, Americana, leather shoes, high heels and rubber shoes are strictly prohibited.

The couple-to-be thank their parents for teaching them the true meaning of
friendship, trust and most importantly, love.

Gay marriage has become a hot-button issue in this country. In the US, the gay marriage ban was lifted and Ellen DeGeneres took the chance to marry actress Portia de Rossi. So is George Takei. And Rosie O'Donnell married Kelli Carpenter.

For the skeptics, gay marriages will not happen in Bohol but there are actually gay marriages held in Bohol— and are getting popular! In 2005, a gay marriage between two women was held in Panglao conducted by the Gahum Philippines, Inc. with the late founder Tonette Lopez). Another gay marriage between two men (a local beauty and an American) was held last year. A marriage between two women (who came from two prominent families) was cancelled two years ago—yet the couple lived happily together. Most of these gay marriages are done privately because they’re not given the chance to jump at the chance to walk down the aisle.

In the Philippines, gay marriage is illegal but if two people who make the pledge to love each other has a binding force and effect equal to that of a law.

What’s up------------------------------------

• Celebrate your Valentine’s Day with soul siren Nina live at Bohol Tropics (at the Dagohoy Grand Ballroom) on Feb. 14! Nina is best known for her immortal hits, Love Moves in Mysterious Ways, Someday and Through the Fire. She has released multi-platinum record sales and seven number 1 singles topping the charts. Her album Nina Live! is the biggest selling album by a female OPM artist, and the third biggest selling album in OPM History. Tickets are worth P200. Get yours now! For details, please call (+63 38) 411 3510 to 14 or 411 2529.

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