Splenda and Univision make Sweet Dreams come true.

A military couple’s dream to renew their wedding vows in the presence of their three daughters came true with a sweet escape sponsored by the Splenda Brand and Cristina Saralegui, as part of a special Father’s Day edition of her Univision program Soñando Contigo – just before the dedicated officer shipped out for his third tour of duty in Iraq.

U.S. Army Sgt. Rogalio Paredes’ poignant family reunion premiered yesterday on Soñando Contigo (“Dreaming with You”), a one-hour prime-time special produced quarterly by Univision’s Cristina show. The program aims to make a dream a reality for a Hispanic family or individual. The show’s producers and Splenda Brand executives selected Sgt. Paredes’ letter from among four deserving families’ requests, narrowed down from thousands the show received.

“My youngest daughter barely knows me because I had to leave for Iraq when she was just a week old,” Sgt. Paredes, wrote to Univision. What touched the show’s producers was Sgt. Paredes’ wish to marry his wife ‘again’ to give his daughters the chance to see their parents reaffirm their commitment to each other. “It’s very hard for the girls, living with a dad who is working so far away from them; they miss him a lot,” added Mrs. Paredes. “But the love we feel for each other is the thing that keeps us together during these hard times when he has to go to war.”

Because Sgt. Paredes’ infrequent visits home are often a whirlwind of social obligations with family, friends and neighbors, Cristina producers and the SPLENDA(R) Brand created a fantasy getaway just for the immediate family. The Splenda Brand flew the couple, their daughters and Sgt. Paredes’ mother to Las Vegas for the wedding ceremony in May. During the trip, a crew from the Cristina show taped the wedding preparations and the ceremony.

Next, producers whisked the Paredes family to Miami to tape the in-studio portion of Soñando Contigo. During the program, host Cristina Saralegui announced the Paredes family and presented them with their dream prize from the Splenda Brand which included a $5,000 wedding gift. A highlight of the in-studio celebration was the presentation of a lavish wedding cake sweetened with SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener which was created by renowned Chef Lorena Garcia, owner and executive chef of Elements Restaurant in Miami. The beautiful wedding cake was shared with all members of the studio audience.

Each family had a unique and heartwarming situation, but the Paredes were chosen because of their closeness and commitment to each other as well as willingness to give up so much of their personal lives in the pursuit of patriotism and freedom.

Additionally, Univision.com is hosting Splenda Dulces Deseos (Sweet Wishes), an online contest version of the Soñando Contigo program presented by the Splenda Brand, which will run through July, when a winner is chosen. Online visitors to the Univision site can submit their dreams electronically in 150-200 words, and the Splenda Brand will award one lucky winner $5,000 to bring it to life. As a bonus prize, Univision will include a VIP tour for two to the Univision Miami studios and tickets to attend a taping of Sabado Gigante, the top-rated and longest running variety show hosted by Don Francisco.