MANILA — The mother of Sarah Geronimo arrived enraged at the pop star’s wedding with Matteo Guidicelli, calling them “traitors” and leading to the now-controversial scuffle, according to a close friend of the couple who attended the clandestine ceremony.

Letty Fuentes, the relationship counselor of Geronimo and Guidicelli for the past six years, detailed the night of February 20 in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe on Tuesday.

The Christian wedding was held at Victory Fort Bonifacio past 6 p.m., and was officiated by Senior Pastor Paolo Punzalan.

• WATCH: Sarah G asked about wedding, controversy

“Akala ko mag-ka-counseling, dinner lang kami. You see, I was not dressed up. It’s always surprises. And this time it’s also a surprise not even the Guidicelli family knew about it. They only knew the day before. Para hindi na siguro mag-leak,” Fuentes said.

“Tita, we really decided on this,” Fuentes recalled the couple telling her.

“Sabi ko, ‘Kayo ha, nag-sikreto pa kayo.’ Gulat na gulat ako, but I’m happy, because everyone was so happy,” Fuentes said, referring to members of Guidicelli’s family and a number of their church mates.

‘SHE WAS READY FOR A FIGHT’

Fuentes described the affair as “very sacred, very solemn, very happy, very intimate” — that is, until Geronimo’s mother, Divine Geronimo, showed up at the reception.

During the interview, Fuentes showed a bruise on her arm she had sustained from the ensuing scuffle.

“Ito ‘yung nahulog ako, kasama si Sarah. She was pushed, kasi [pinipigilan] niya ‘yung mama niya, e. Naghahabulan. I was holding onto her. Pag-push sa kaniya, ang layo. Gulong. Natumba siya. For a while, matagal siya… Kasi nanginginig,” she narrated.

“I know gusto niyang sampalin si Matteo, e. She was ready for a fight. Sabi ng mama niya, ‘Traydor kayo!’ Sigaw-sigaw, ang lakas talaga. Meron pa yatang nagmura or something,” Fuentes said.

Fuentes belied the account of Jerry Tamara, a bodyguard employed by the Geronimo family, that Guidicelli had punched him. A day after the wedding, Tamara filed a police report and subsequently detailed his version of the event on a radio program.

“Walang brawling doon, wala ring baril. Kasi nabasa ko may baril pa raw. Kasi to the last moment, ‘yung malaking lalaki doon, sinasabihan ko siya na, ‘Huwag mo na ilapit kasi magkakagulo ‘yan,” Fuentes said, referring to the bodyguard.

As the confrontation unfolded, Geronimo could only cry out of shock, according to a separate account from Vic del Rosario, who co-manages the singer’s career under Viva.

TUG OF WAR BETWEEN MATTEO, SARAH’S PARENTS

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Geronimo’s parents, known to be fiercely protective of their daughter, have long been against her relationship with Guidicelli, Fuentes said — corroborating past statements of the celebrity couple about seeking “acceptance” and hoping for “peace” throughout their six-year relationship.

• TIMELINE: Over the years, Matteo and Sarah kept asking for acceptance from pop star’s parents

Several times, Divine would approach Fuentes to ask her to advise Geronimo against settling down with Guidicelli.

“Hindi raw niya tatanggapin. She was trying to sway me to advise her to stay off from him. I said, ‘I cannot do that. I will only say things, then decision will still be theirs,’” Fuentes recounted.

Geronimo and Guidicelli had, in fact, planned numerous times to get married in recent years, according to Fuentes, but the disapproval of the actress’ parents would cause them to keep postponing.

“For so many years, they wanted [to marry], kaso hindi nga puwede kasi hindi nga tatanggapin. But Matteo really pursued, may cut-off, tapos they will be back again. They were almost both in tears most of the time,” she said.

Fuentes described Geronimo as being “confused” in the tug of war between Guidicelli and her parents. For a time, the couple would “cool off” to help regain perspective — but what remained constant was their certain love for each other.

‘FORGIVE YOUR MOM’

So it was no surprise for Fuentes to see Guidicelli crying as he finally exchanged vows with Geronimo.

“Matteo really loves her so much. With all those things, he is a man with commitment. Nakaplano. Wala ka nang hahanapin,” she said.

Prior to the unexpected appearance of Divine, Geronimo was evidently happy, Fuentes said. “Parang nakawala. I have never seen her so confident that day,” she added.

“Iyong finale lang ang masakit,” she said.

Despite the bitter end to what was supposed to be a sweet occasion, Geronimo and Guidicelli remain optimistic as they start their married life, according to Fuentes.

Sharing her words of encouragement for Geronimo, Fuentes said: “All these things, I was telling her, ‘Forget it, forgive your mom. This is just a revelation. In time, just pray more. Many people are praying for you.’”