Photo from Greenpinoy.com.

MANILA - Newlyweds Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and Korina Sanchez-Roxas said they slept through their wedding night.

In a live interview with ABS-CBN's TV Patrol on Wednesday, the couple appeared relaxed and were all smiles as they recounted their first evening as a married couple.

After 5 years of dating, the Roxases wed in a lavish Filipiniana-themed ceremony at the Sto. Domingo Church on Tuesday, October 27.

"Natulog kami halos 3 a.m. na. Kasi 'yong entourage namin at saka 'yong pamilya nandito nga sa bahay. So nagkasayahan. Pareho kaming nakanganga at humihilik," said Mrs. Roxas, laughing. "Kaya standing ovation [si Mar]--sa panaginip niya."

(We slept at around 3 a.m. Our wedding entourage and family were here at the house [at the Bahay na Puti in Cubao for an intimate dinner after the wedding]. So it was a party. We were both open-mouthed and snoring. So Mar had a "standing ovation" only in his dreams.)

The senator, meanwhile, said they were both happy and relieved that their "dream wedding" was over so they could settle in to married life. "This is the best decision in my life," he said.

The Roxases thanked everyone who supported and wished them well on their wedding, including their wedding sponsors, guests, and the hundreds of people who lined up outside the Church to get a glimpse of the event.

Mrs. Roxas thanked ABS-CBN broadcaster Cheche Lazaro, in particular, who was one of the "ninangs" or godmothers at the wedding.

She said Lazaro had cut her trip to Paris short in order to fly home to the Philippines in time for the Roxas-Sanchez wedding.

Political plans

The pair were also asked about their political plans, especially since Sen. Roxas intends to run for Vice President in 2010, in tandem with Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Critics have called their union a "perfect alliance" or "strategic tactic" that would somehow help Roxas with his campaign. The Roxas camp has repeatedly denied this claim.

Mrs. Roxas, who said she is fully aware of her role as a "political spouse," said she had asked her husband to keep her away from politics "as much as possible."

"I would be very happy to stay away from it. But wherever he needs me, I cannot refuse help. And wherever he puts me, of course, I will follow him. So however I can help with whatever Mar and Noy are planning, I am there [to help]. But as much as possible, if he can keep me away from that," she said.

Sen. Roxas, meanwhile, said he was confident that his new wife will support his plans, whatever they may be.

"Ang pinakamahalaga sa akin ay siya'y aking Mrs. Roxas na kasama ko at kasangga ko. Life is not always smooth, there are rough patches. But as long as we're together, I know we can face [the challenges]," he said, when asked what role he wanted his wife to play in terms of his political career.

His bride, however, is not to keen on pure domesticity since, as a self-confessed workaholic, she said she cannot stand being idle. Mrs. Roxas said she will busy herself with her Sunday lifestyle show "Rated K."

"I don't think I can do without work. The [Rated K] staff are knocking on my door again, even as I am going on a honeymoon. But I'm happy with work," she said.

'Just the beginning'

With the "Wedding of the Year" behind them, the Roxas couple seems intent on adjusting to changes brought on by married life and straightening out their domestic affairs.

"May gusot man, ay mapaplantsa ng init ng aming pagmamahal sa isa't isa. (If there are snags in our married life, these will be ironed out by the heat of our love for each other)," Mrs. Roxas said, with a "Right honey?" directed at her husband.

He immediately answered, "Yes ma'am!"

Sen. Roxas said they are fixing up their "love nest" inside the posh Araneta residential compound in Cubao.

"We have our own place. We just need to make a few arrangements because there has to be a place for Korina's things. But this will be done and fixed in no time," he said.

As for jealousy issues - a sour topic among many married couples - Mrs. Roxas said her husband has not given her cause to be jealous.

"Ako ang pinaka hindi selosang babae sa balat ng lupa. Pero ang maganda kay Mar, kaya ko siya pinakasalan, ni minsan, hindi pa niya ako binibigyan ng dahilan para magselos. Yehey! At sana huwag na magkaroon," she said.

(I am the least jealous woman on the face of the earth. But what's good about Mar - and this is why I married him - not once has he given me cause to be jealous. And I hope there will never be a reason.)

To prove the point, Sen. Roxas said his wife has even allowed him to hold bachelor's parties or stag parties after they are married. "Yes, I allow him," Mrs. Roxas said.

The new bride said their grand wedding is "just the beginning," and that she is looking forward to "a marriage that works, a marriage that will end as it began." Report from TV Patrol.