Actor-entrepreneur Matteo Guidicelli and his wife, actress-singer Sarah Geronimo, marked Valentine’s Day not just with flowers and greetings, but with prayers of gratitude for the newly reconstructed Italian restaurant of the actor’s family. On February 14, the couple led the blessing of Da Gianni restaurant, days after a vehicle rammed into its al fresco dining area in Muntinlupa City.
On the afternoon of February 8, Matteo took to social media to share that a vehicle had crashed into the al fresco area of their family’s restaurant. In a video posted on Facebook, he personally walked viewers through the damage. Tables and chairs were scattered across the area, and parts of the structure had collapsed following the impact.
Despite the extent of the destruction, Matteo moved quickly and reconstruction began almost immediately. Just two days after the accident, he shared that the area had already been cleared and restored, ready once more to welcome guests.
In a video he shared on February 14, he greeted viewers and showed the simple but meaningful mass setup in the restaurant. Matteo took pride in introducing the staff who worked tirelessly on the days following the accident. He also gave his followers a tour of the newly renovated space, showing that operations had resumed and that their team was back at work.
“What a Happy Valentine’s Day to all. We’re here for a mass at 9 a.m. at Da Gianni to bless this place that we had an accident a few days ago,” he said.
As the mass began, all of them gathered while lighting candles as part of the ceremony, with a priest blessing the restaurant with holy water and prayers.
His parents and loved ones were present during the blessing, standing with their staff throughout the ceremony. After the mass, the group shared a meal together to celebrate the reopening of the reconstructed al fresco dining area.
“We just finished our Valentine’s Day mass just to give thanks to the Lord for safety, for love, and of course for the staff here. To keep their morale up and them that the Lord as blessed us with good health and protection,” Matteo said.
“Happy Valentine’s [Day] sa lahat. Enjoy your day with your loved ones and keep loving each other,” he added.
Before ending the video, Matteo captured a lighthearted moment as Sarah tried to make his father, Gianluca, smile.
“Don’t forget to smile, it’s Valentine’s Day,” Sarah told him while their family members clapped and cheered.
Matteo’s sister Georgia and their mother Glenna chimed in, teasing that Sarah was the only one who could make him smile.
“Only you can make him smile, Sar,” Georgia said.
“You’re the only one that makes him smile,” Glenna reiterated.
Earlier this week, Matteo assured the public that no one was hurt and that guests had already left hours before the crash occurred. Two staff members who were in the area were immediately brought to the hospital for medical checks.
Addressing online speculation, Matteo clarified that the woman driving the vehicle was neither drunk nor under the influence.
“No, she’s a very innocent, beautiful lady that just panicked, blacked out, and pressed on the gas instead of the brakes,” he said.
Speaking to the media, Matteo also made it clear that no case would be filed to the driver whom Matteo kept unnamed.
“Wala, wala. Nag-admit naman na kasalanan ni madam. Pag-uusapan na lang with the insurance or whatsoever,” he previously explained.