Almost everyone in show business is jaded these days, what with the endless controversies that surround the lives of celebrities. Stories about best friends falling out, couples breaking up,and marriages ending are a staple in everyday conversations among producers, managers, actors, and of course, those who write about them.

It is for this very reason that the industry has found its new hero in the handsome person of Zoren Legaspi. In surprising his longtime partner Carmina Villaroel with the proposal and the wedding of her dreams on November 15, the 38-year-old actor reminded everyone—the general public included—that happy endings can still be had.

“Siya lang naman ang gusto kong mapaligaya sa ginawa ko,” Zoren said of his beautiful bride when they faced the usually cynical entertainment press on Tuesday to talk about their special day. “Hindi ko naman in-expect na magkaroon ng ripple effect at mapasaya din, as I’ve heard, ang maraming kababaihan na hindi na naniniwala sa love stories, sa romance and happy endings.

“Umiiwas lang ako sa mga lalaki,” he jested after being told he has definitely raised the bar in surprising girlfriends and wives. “Baka ma-bugbog ako!”

To backtrack, Zoren and Carmina’s love story began long after they had first met, and is dotted with so many subplots in between. They were both part of the iconic youth variety show That’s Entertainment in the late ‘80s, and were from the same batch of “Regal Babies” who made movies for Mother Lily Monteverde’s production company in the ‘90s.

As they went from teenage- to adulthood, they both had their shares of romantic relationships—some more publicized than others—with Carmina eventually marrying actor Rustom Padilla in 1998. The marriage was ill fated, however, with the couple separating in 2000, and Rustom admitting much later that he was gay.

“Nagsimula talaga kami na magkaibigan,” recalled Carmina. “After my separation, gumawa kami ni Zoren ng movie together tapos nalaman ko na neighbors pala kami so nagtuloy yung friendship namin. Lagi ko siyang confidant, at lahat-lahat alam namin sa isa’t isa. Kasi di’ba pag friend mo naman wala yang mga best foot forward na yan?”

It was then that their friendship blossomed into something more, and in 2001, the couple quietly left for the United States where Carmina gave birth to the now famous twins, Maverick and Cassandra.

Unable to marry, the couple still sought and has visibly succeeded in building a sound family life for their children. Proof are the numerous endorsements the four of them have together, which always portray them as they are—a truly happy family.

‘Special girl’
In many interviews, Carmina and Zoren have always been vocal that even if neither of them have wedding rings, they never felt “incomplete” as a couple or as a family in the last 12 years.

“Siguro doon lang sa pag-fill up ng forms; lahat sila Legaspi ako lang yung Villaroel,” Carmina mused.

But of course, when Carmina’s annulment finally came through in August, she and Zoren began talking about finally getting married.

“Kaya lang nga, as far as I knew, walang nangyari doon sa mga talks namin, because of our hectic [work] schedules,” she laughed.

Little did Carmina know, though, that for the last month and half, Zoren—with the help of their well-loved managers Dolor Guevarra and Shirley Kuan—had been planning the ultimate surprise for his “special girl,” which finally took place at the enchanting Fernbrook Garden in Las Piñas City.

“I kept asking him how he did it,” gushed Carmina, who thought she was getting ready for a commercial shoot with her family that day. “Wala talaga akong kaalam-alam! Umiiyak ako pero ang saya-saya ko.”

Even the couples’ closest family and friends—among them Kris Aquino, Gelli de Belen and Aiko Melendez—were also brought to tears by the raw expressions of love throughout the ceremony, which will be shown in its entirety on Saturday over ABS-CBN.

Ever after
“Yumabang na si Carmina,” teased Zoren when asked if anything has changed since the wedding. More

seriously, he shared, “Akala ko walang magbabago, kasi sabi nga nila papel lang ang kasal. Pero may pakiramdam ako sa loob ko na iba. Mas careful ako when I speak to her, caress her, make love to her kasi feeling ko talagang akin ka, by law and by love.”

For her part, Carmina agreed that she is also more “careful and cautious” with her husband’s feelings. “Mas nadagdagan yung respect ko sa kanya, and I keep thanking him for doing something so spectacular for me.”

With the new kind of happiness being legally married has given them, the couple declared that they highly recommend marriage to those who are truly in love, even in these modern and more complicated times.

“Iba talaga ang kasal,” said Carmina, “but in saying that I also know that case to case basis naman ang lahat ng relationships. Mahirap naman to force marriage on those who don’t believe in it, and I also respect couples who choose to live together if it works out for them.”

They also admit that relationships are never easy, with “every day a work in progress.” But with the kind of love Zoren and Carmina have for each other—one that even the most jaded of showbiz folks can actually feel—there will surely be a happy ever after for this beautiful and very inspiring husband and wife.

Zoren-Carmina . . . Always, Forever a Wedding Like No Other will air on November 24 after Maalaala Mo Kaya on ABS-CBN.