ALFONSO, Cavite — Striking a beautiful balance between high-profile stardom and intimate celebration, one of Philippine basketball’s brightest figures and his longtime partner have officially tied the knot. 7-foot-3 Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto and Kapuso actress-model Rere Madrid pulled off a surprise, intimate garden wedding ceremony.
The wedding brings together the worlds of elite sports and national entertainment, sealing a romantic journey that first caught public attention on the red carpet two years ago.
Bypassing major metropolitan cathedrals for a quiet, nature-focused venue, the low-key ceremony focused heavily on privacy and tight-knit family representation:
[2024 GMA Gala Debut] ──► Couple First Goes Public as Dates, Launching High-Profile Relationship │ ▼ (Overcoming Challenges & Outside Pressure)[Intimate Alfonso Gathering] ◄── Pull Off Surprise Garden Civil Ceremony in Alfonso, Cavite │ ▼ [Officiated by Mayor Randy Salamat Amid Elegant Gideon Hermosa White Blooms]
The ceremony took place at Neri’s Secret Garden—a private garden restaurant and events space in Alfonso, Cavite, owned by celebrity entrepreneur Neri Naig-Miranda and her husband, Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda. The venue was transformed into a white wonderland by renowned event designer Gideon Hermosa, who arranged varying white blooms and elegant floral details across the landscape.
The couple opted for a clean, cohesive visual approach, matching the minimalist elegance of their scenic surroundings.
[ BRIDAL STYLE & MATRIMONIAL DETAIL ]
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[ THE RECEPTION LOOKS ] [ PLAYFUL WEDDING VOWS ]
• **The Bride:** Madrid, 26, wore a simple white spaghetti-strap • **The Choice:** Highlight video reels captured the 7-foot-3 giant
gown with flowy details, showcasing a pear-shaped engagement ring. breaking into lighthearted banter right at the altar.
• **The Groom:** Sotto, 24, went casual-chic, matching his bride in an • **Altar Banter:** “Love is not just a feeling; it’s a—?” Sotto teased,
all-white button-down shirt and matching trousers. forcing a laughing Madrid to answer, “Choice! Ikaw nagsabi nun sakin.”
The guest list remained strictly limited to close friends and immediate family, bridging prominent local entertainment figures with the sports community.
| Key Wedding Participants | Role / Contribution inside the Venue | Long-Term Relationship Milestones |
| Mayor Randy Salamat | Officiated the formal civil rites as the local chief executive of Alfonso, Cavite. | Handled the legal registration parameters for the low-profile celebrity pairing. |
| Ruru Madrid & Bianca Umali | Stood directly by the couple; Ruru serves as Rere’s older brother and a prominent GMA network actor. | Provided core emotional and familial support throughout the couple’s two-year relationship journey. |
| Parokya ni Edgar | Provided live entertainment and musical highlights during the intimate evening reception. | Kept the atmosphere lively and celebratory for the small circle of close family and friends. |
Reflecting on their path to the altar on Instagram, Madrid admitted that maintaining a strong bond under the media spotlight required conscious trust. “Even though we went through challenges, misunderstandings, and people who tried to break what we had, we still chose to trust each other,” she shared.
With congratulations pouring in from fellow Gilas teammates, PBA athletes, and Sparkle artists like Ashley Ortega and Mavy Legaspi, the newly minted Mr. and Mrs. Sotto are looking forward to the future—ready to balance Sotto’s international basketball career with their new chapter as partners for life.