On September 8, Santuario de San Jose in Mandaluyong City became the setting for one of the most meaningful days in the lives of Congressman Brian Poe Llamanzares and Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Atty. Margarita “Marge” Gutierrez.
Surrounded by family, friends, and the people closest to them, Brian and Marge stood before the altar and made a promise for all the years ahead: to choose each other, to stand beside each other, and to build a life together.
A CEREMONY IN BLOOM
The church was adorned with green and white florals, bringing a sense of garden-like romance into its classic interiors. Lush greenery and delicate white blooms framed the altar and aisle. Its fresh, natural beauty complements the solemnity of the ceremony.
Marge arrived in a Filipiniana-inspired gown by Mark Bumgarner. Its structured silhouette, statement sleeves, and sculpted neckline gave the classic bridal look a distinctly Filipino character. Graceful and quietly striking, it honored tradition while still feeling unmistakably her own.
Brian wore a custom ivory Barong Tagalog by Llamanzares Barongs, featuring intricate embroidery and a timeless silhouette. Paired with black trousers and polished black shoes, the look was formal yet understated, allowing the barong’s craftsmanship to speak for itself.
Together, their looks brought Filipino tradition and modern elegance into perfect balance.
THE FIRST KISS
After the vows came the moment everyone had been waiting for: Brian and Marge’s first kiss as husband and wife.
Cheers, laughter, and happy smiles filled the church as the newlyweds shared the moment they had all come to witness. It was sweet, joyful, and just a little bit playful.
And watching it all unfold was their beloved Corgi, Chanel, there to see Mom and Dad share their first kiss as husband and wife. It was an adorable little family moment that made the ceremony feel all the more personal.
TWO FAMILIES, ONE MOMENT
The wedding brought together two families deeply woven into the country’s public life. Marge is the daughter of former Ombudsman and Justice Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez. Brian is the eldest son of former Senator Grace Poe and Neil Llamanzares, and the grandson of the late Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces.
But beyond the names and legacies was a deeply personal moment: a daughter becoming a bride, a son becoming a husband, and two families gathering to celebrate the people they love. And in that moment, surrounded by the people who had witnessed the many chapters of their lives, they stood before one another and chose the one chapter they would now write together.
FROM VOWS TO CELEBRATION
From the quiet solemnity of the church, the celebration moved to Foro de Intramuros, where family and friends gathered in the historic heart of Manila. The mood naturally shifted from ceremony to celebration: from the stillness of the vows to the warmth of stories, laughter, well wishes, and the joyful company of people who had come to share in their happiness.
Among those who stood as principal sponsors were First Lady Liza Marcos, Senate President Tito Sotto, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Ramon Ang, Tessie Sy-Coson, Lance Gokongwei, Cory Vidanes, and celebrity couple Coco Martin and Julia Montes.
Their presence reflected the many worlds Brian and Marge have been part of. Yet beyond the distinguished names was something more personal: people who came to witness and celebrate their happiness.
One of the evening’s sweetest surprises came from Brian himself, who took the time to sing a heartfelt song dedicated to Marge. With his wife as his inspiration and their loved ones looking on, the musical tribute offered a more personal kind of declaration. It was the kind of wedding moment that felt less staged and more intimate: simply a husband singing for his bride.
The celebration also made room for the families who came before them. Video presentations brought together memories and stories from both sides, including touching tributes to Brian’s late grandparents, Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces, and Marge’s late father.
Their presence was felt through the memories shared that evening, weaving the people they loved and lost into a celebration of the life Brian and Marge are now building together.
Even the wedding favors carried a thoughtful personal touch. Guests received vegetables from Kadiwa and bayong bags made by women from the city jail whom Marge has been helping — meaningful details that reflected the couple’s desire to make their celebration about more than just the two of them.
A LIFE TO SHARE
Both Marge and Brian had already built lives of their own before they arrived at the altar. Marge had forged her path in law and public service, while Brian’s journey had taken him through entrepreneurship, journalism, civic work, and public service.
They came into marriage with families they loved, careers they had built, and dreams still unfolding.
Now, they get to share them.
The long days. The little victories. The difficult seasons. The quiet moments in between. Someone to come home to. Someone to laugh with when life is light, and lean on when it is not.
Marriage, after all, is not about two lives becoming indistinguishable. It is about two people bringing their own stories, hopes, and histories to the same table, and deciding that whatever comes next, they would rather face it together.
Brian and Marge did not need one another to become whole. They simply found someone with whom they wanted to share the life they had already built, and the life still waiting to be lived.
AT LAST
From the green and white blooms of Santuario de San Jose to the warmth of their celebration in Intramuros, the day held the things that brought them here: faith, family, heritage, and love.
They stood before the people who loved them, made their promises, and said yes to whatever comes next, knowing that they would face it side by side.
Because perhaps the sweetest part of finding your person is not knowing exactly what the future holds, but knowing who you want beside you when it arrives.
After all the chapters that brought them here, Brian and Marge can finally begin the one they will write together.
Together, at last.
