NEWSFLASH

---

LIKE A MOVIE, KRING-KRING'S DREAM WEDDING COMES TRUE

Tacloban, Oct. 24,1998 - Former bold star Cristina Gonzalez, whose life could be more colorful than any screenplay or movie, walks down the aisle today in a wedding that could best be described as "Imeldific" just like one of the godmothers of the ceremony.

Just like a movie, the wedding faced two big threats right to the very eve: one man-made and one natural. The natural threat, typhoon Loleng, left the country the night before the wedding. The second threat, a woman who claims to be Mrs. Alfred Romualdez, is still hovering, complete with a lawsuit.

The bride had to call a press conference last Wednesdayy to clear the air and explain publicly that her groom, the Honorable Representative of the First District of Leyte Alfred Romualdez, is not the husband of a woman who was trying to stop the wedding with lawsuit a few days before the ceremony.

"She's Mrs. Teresita Albert Chiongbian," Cristina told the press the identity of the alleged wife of the Leyte congressman. "She's not Alfred's wife."

"She is Mrs. Teresita Chiongbian with 3 children by her real husband and 15 years older than Alfred," repeated Cristina, better known during her bold star days as Kring-Kring.

Then she made an astounding revelation: she has been Mrs. Cristina Gonzalez Romualdez since Aug. 10, 1997.

"Paano kami makakasal ni Alfred kung may previous marriage siya, so she's just lying. At least ako, annuled na ang 1st marriage ko, pero, si Teresita ay kasal pa rin sa ama ng kanyang tatlong anak," she added.

She also denied the woman's allegations that Alfred abandoned his son.

"Alfred never denied that he has 2 boys with 2 different women. Isa na nga dito si Raymund, Alfred's 11-year old son by Teresita. Pero, lagi siyang nakikiusap na huwag nang banggitin pa kung saan nag-aaral o saan nakatira ang mga ito for security reasons. He loves his kids and he provides them with all the financial, emotional, spiritual support that they need. Kami pa nga ni Alfred ang naggo-grocery para kay Raymund," Cristina explained.

At the press conference, Cristina's lawyer Atty. Maripaz Chua and the Romualdez accountant Nards Gumiran, alleged that Teresita was only after money. They showed the press receipts and vouchers proving that the congressman has been supporting his son and the woman's luxurious lifestyle.

"Ang dami kong binabayaran noon sa Manila Polo Club," the accountant said. "Bukod pa iyan sa 8,000 dollars na tuition fee ng bata sa International School, P60,000 kada buwan na bayad sa condong tinitirhan nila at iba pang kailangan ng bata, salaries of the maids and two luxury vehicles for the boy and his mother."

"I'm not going to give in to her demands," said Cong. Romualdez. "Hindi ko ibibigay sa kanya ang pera, kungdi sa anak ko mismo pagdating niya sa hustong gulang. Baka maubos pa niya!"

Judy Ann Santos and Gary Estrada topbill the performers in a concert which is the newlyweds' gift to the people of Tacloban.

The other stars are Rachel Lobangco, Monica Herrera, Beth Tamayo, Smokey Manaloto, Karla Estrada, Isabel Granada, Inday Garutay, Jennifer Sevilla, Sylvia Sanchez, Armina Gonzales, John Nite, Gary Lim and many more.

Leading the list of wedding sponsors are President Joseph Estrada and former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, sister of the groom's father, Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo "Bejo" Romualdez. Other major ninong and ninang are Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Speaker Manny Villar.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos, Alfred's first cousin, is the best man and Ana Margarita Gonzalez, Cristina's younger sister, is the bride's maid.

Other sponsors to the wedding are German Moreno, Carlos Araneta, Antonio Romualdez, Victor Villavicencio, Felicitas Ong, Marilou Gonzalez, Carmen Fernandez and Dr. Paciencia Disini.

Multi-awarded songwriter and singer Jose Mari Chan will sing during the wedding. The bridal ensemble will be created for Cristina by couturier Pepito Albert.

The motif of the wedding is mint green. Noted florists Tony Padilla and Allan dela Cruz will do the floral decoration inside the church.

Congressman Alfred Romualdez is the son of Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo Romualdez and Agnes Sison Romualdez. Cristina is the daughter of movie actor turned politician Rep. Jose Mari Gonzalez and Charito Malarky Gonzalez

They plan to settle down in Tacloban.

---