Bernadette's Love Story

The Philippine Star

DIRECTLINE By Boy Abunda
Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Bernadette Sembrano’s love story about how she met and married husband Emilio Aguinaldo IV is a feel-good movie plot. It’s about chance encounters, much like the John Cusack-Kate Beckinsale movie, Serendipity.

Bernadette met Orange (Emilio’s nickname) when she covered the 2006 Independence Day celebration in Kawit, Cavite, where Orange’s grandfather Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine Independence. The following year, 2007, Bernadette was again assigned in Kawit. The second time they would meet, sparks flew. And this year on June 12, Bernadette married Orange, who is currently the Vice Mayor of Kawit.

Bernadette and Orange believe they are destined for each other. There’s “lolo,” hero Emilio Aguinaldo, who has in a way paved the way for their love story to blossom and the plate number of her car 6-1-2 or June 12 Independence Day, which is the day of their wedding.

Of Orange, Bernadette said, “He is everything I’ve hoped for.” And 30 minutes before she walked down the aisle, a teary Bernadette enthused, “I am excited na kinakabahan na masaya. I’ll get married after 32 years. It’s a good decision and it’s worth the wait.”

The wedding was held at Chapel on the Hill at Don Bosco in Nasugbu, Batangas with both Bernadette and Orange who call each other “Indie”, (after Independence Day) vowing to love each other. “You’re the best thing that happened to me. You know how much I honor you, how much I respect you, and now in front of God and in front of our loved ones, pangako ko sa yo, mamahalin kita tulad ng pagmamahal ni Kristo,” declared Orange. Bernadette for her part said, “You’re the best thing that has ever happened in my life. To God and with God who made all of this possible I love you.”

The reception was held at Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay. The newly- weds flew to the US for their honeymoon.