The wedding reception followed suit at the National Museum of Natural History
Dominique Cojuangco was a radiant bride when she exchanged “I Do” with businessman Michael Hearn on Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Actress Gretchen Barretto and business tycoon Tonyboy Cojuangco’s unica hija’s well-attended wedding was held at the San Agustin Church in Manila. A lavish reception followed at the National Museum of Natural History hours later.
While details of the couple’s wedding were mostly kept private, glimpses of the event were shared by their guests on social media. Actresses Ria Atayde and Sofia Andres, whose daughter Zoe Miranda was among the flower girls, were spotted at the wedding. Also in attendance were socialite Mimi Que and influencer Paolo Stefano.
Cojuangco kept it simple and elegant as she wore her long hair down and donned a classic sleeveless wedding gown by Lebanese fashion designer, Elie Saab. Her square neck gown was accentuated with sequins on tiny flower patterns. Cojuangco’s ensemble was completed by a bouquet of white orchids. Her groom, meanwhile, opted to wear a simple white barong and black dress pants.
Dominique and Michael met while they were studying at the British School Manila. But it was only in 2018 that they started to “look at each other differently,” according to an interview with Metro Magazine in January 2022.
Did Dominique Cojuangco rob museum viewers of visit time?
The special celebration, however, was marred by criticism online following a netizen questioning the museum’s Saturday closure. According to him, Saturday was a “peak day of museum visits.”
Imagine closing a state museum for a *private* wedding on a Saturday, the peak day of museum visits. I would understand if Monday na sarado talaga siya, pero taumbayan pa talaga ang pinag-adjust?
— Emil (@13thFool) March 5, 2023
This is a terrible call for the leadership of the National Museum. pic.twitter.com/f5fBmUMh3Z
The said post has garnered thousands of retweets and comments as of this writing. While some agreed with his post, there were also some who countered his argument. Most of them underscored that the museum is actually open for special event bookings, as specified on their website.
Sorry but I’m not taking sides. The National Museum is really open to be rented for events. I think it’s on their website. Wanted to rent it for an international event before but the logistics isn’t easy. Transporting high level officials to and from their hotels is risky.
— K! (@JosefinaBalmes) March 5, 2023
Other netizens, meanwhile, pointed out that the museum made prior announcements to ensure that visitors are well-informed of its Saturday closure.
Hindi naman nag kulang ang NMP sa pag inform na sarado ang Natural History of on that date. And as if naman na all three buildings (Fine Arts, Anthropology, Natural History) ang pinasara. Museum goer can still visit Fine Arts and Anthropology since Natural History is closed.
— Steven Daniel (@stibskii) March 5, 2023
While there were those who policed his idea, noting that revenue from such events help in the museum’s upkeep.
Andun na tayo sa Saturday is a peak day for museum visits, pero pwede naman talaga rental ang National Museum as events venue. Sa upkeep din naman ng museum mapupunta yung binayad nina Dominique Cojuangco dyan. Magalit tayo kung libre nilang ginamit yung venue
— ????? (@MyNameIsT_O_S_H) March 5, 2023
Banner Image Paulo Correa
