Wedding Before Christmas Day (Nolasco - Mendoza Wedding, December 23, 2006)

As Christmas rush comes to a zeroing, here we are wrapping up with our wedding before the 25th. Crowne Plaza was where Jem was dressing up. There was much excitement in the room as ace hair and make-up artist/designer Fanny Serrano was finishing Jem' face. We were trying to assist everyone in their last final fit and look. Ariel Javelosa Photography was documenting the entire event as well as with videography. Joyce Aguilar of 2171 Floral Creations did a beautiful bouquet of white tulips and roses for Jem. It was so admirable for Fanny to make sure that the bride's veil as properly balanced and pin. To credit him for being a designer too.
Ceremony will take place at the Iglesia ni Cristo, locale of Cubao along E. Rodriguez and immediately to proceed to the Coral Garden of Fernwood for the wedding reception. It was Complete Work, Inc of JP Montilla running the event headed by his most senior staff, Jhay Delarmente. It was time to leave the hotel and it was a good thing we had police escorts otherwise we will have to suffer the ordeal of traffic flow in EDSA. Upon arrival at the Church, I saw Johann dressed up in his elegant pina suksok barong that we did as well for him along with the entire entourage and the moms. I felt so happy and fulfilled as the mom's bride continously complemented the gown of her radiant daugther. Jem marched the Church's aisle at 6 o'clock pm. We had to rush back to the office for its time for us to see the preparations being done for our Christmas party.

FWDP - Our Group Picture

Here we are!... the founding members of the Fashion by the Wedding Designers of the Philippines. (L-R, Shanon Pamaong, Randall Solomon, Susie Bonaobra, Joel Escober, Carmen Lazaro, Jerome Ang, Edwin Uy, Michelle Lim, Ruel Rivera, Joel Bautista, Delby Bragais, Dennis Martin) photo courtesy of Alan Borras of Passion Photography

Filipino Designers in an Asian Fashion Show......

After returning from a very short vacation break, I received the apparels that I loaned to La Mode En Images, a French Model Agency based in Paris. The French fashion agency was commissioned to come up with a ramp show highlighting Asian designers with their talents that symbolizes fashion in their respective nations. I was one of the three Filipino fashion designers invited to showcase Philippine fashion in an international event. It was the recently concluded Asian Games 2006 staged in Doha, Qatar. It was not just our athletes that represented our country in the arena of sports but we Filipino designers Joel Bautista, Rajo Laurel and Tippi Ocampo in the field of fashion in one of the cultural highlights in that sporting event that was staged twice on December 5. There were 40 designers from all over Asia that were invited and I was one of the priveledged designers. This was an achievement I must conclude for all of us.

Cool and Breezy Tagaytay March (Makiramdam - Siasoco Wedding, December 9, 2006)

Arriving in the cool city of Tagaytay, we experienced some rain drizzling. Wedding ceremony will be at the Ina Ng Laging Saklolo Parish (Our Lady of Perpetual Help)and reception following the ceremony at the Villa de Oro. The place was really nice and ideal for wedding receptions and even ceremony at that with a private chapel in the compound. However, I was informed that the diocese that domains the area does not allow marital vows exchanged in non Church venues. Eric greeted me and showed me where the room of Divine was. I passed thru an area going to Divine's room and saw Jackie Rivera and his staff doing some of the entourage's make-up. Divine looked so radiant on that day looking very candid on that while photo shoot was being taken by SDA Photography. Rubylyn Alvarez created the flowers for the entourage and the church decoration. Running off to the church, the rain showers persisted. The church was definitely packed with guests and relatives attending the ceremony and it looked really full. We assisted Divine as she got off from the vintage bridal car and made sure that her gown was protected from being wet and possible immediate soiling. We spread her train and 5 yard veil and the bride commenced with her bridal march.

Suave and Stress Free Bride (Punsalan - Malabanan Wedding, December 9, 2006)

From day 1 that I met this couple, I knew we would blend in 100%. It was just a regret that they committed with me on the second slot. I'll be running to Tagaytay City for a previous wedding committed and they understood it very clearly. I tried my best to compensate for my absence and I felt that they appreciated my efforts. Indeed Michael and Karen were such a nice and pleasant couple. She gave me an unusual but interesting invitation enclosed in a woodbox that came from Tahanang Walang Hagdan. A very sensible gesture of extending livelihood to our handicapped and disabled citizens. The wedding was running at 3 o'clock in the afternoon at the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish (Sta. Ana Church) and reception to follow at the Patio Victoria. She got the team of Ariel Javelosa for photography and Rubylyn Alvarez for the entourage flowers. I assigned my assistants Paulo and Mercy to be with her for dressing up in a suite room of the Tiara Oriental Hotel which was very proximal to our office onwards to the church. I hoped I could take a glimpse of her that day but my Tagaytay wedding was very close at 4'o clock pm and had to be there at least two hours before ceremony time.

A London Boy and a London Girl (Fernandez - Latuja Wedding, December 8, 2006)

Coming from Hotel Philippine Plaza, I arrived at Fernwood Gardens where my second bride-client for the day Christie was dressing up for her wedding. I realized though that the groom, Ryan was coming from the Makati Palace Hotel where he is billeted and has decided to have his dressing up and pictorial there. But admiringly, he came to the church on time at the Santuario de San Pedro . These two Londoner has decided to celebrate their wedding reception at the Fernwood Gardens. Christie trusted me to do not just her gown and female entourage apparels but together with the apparels of the groom and their male entourage. Not to forget was the gown of Christie's mom, Melanie and his brother's scene stealer shirt and Edwardian high waisted trousers in black. Just like earlier, I didn't get the chance to see Jackie Rivera who did the hair and make-up of Christie. He had to go back to his earlier bride-client as he promised. Passion Photography's Alan Borras, Jason Magbanua, Joyce Aguilar of 2171 Floral Creation and seasoned Penk Ching of Pastry Bin for her cake artist comprised the couples' suppliers lined up with JP Montilla of Complete Work planning and coordinating for this event. The bride rode in a luxurious white Lincoln stretch limousine.

A Wedding, A Friday, A Wonderful Couple (Ibarra - Pangandaman Wedding, December 8, 2006)

The first of the two weddings we had on that day. I was lucky to have an understanding and considerate bride, Mina. I just cannot take her for granted and just endorse her solely to my two staffs. I arrived at the Hotel Philippine Plaza where she was dressing up. The minute I got in, she was all made up waiting to slip in her wedding dress. Jackie Rivera did a clean and neat hair and make-up for Mina. I knew she was happy with the outcome of her face and hair. He had to leave early to run to another wedding which happens to be mine as well. He promised to return which he eventually did proceeding straight to Baluarte de San Diego where reception is to take place. I thought I'd get the chance to see Jethro but unfortunately I wasn't able to stay much long for I have to run to my next wedding taking place in Quezon City. Jackie Rivera's hair and make-up team was busy doing the entourage. Threelogy was likewise on the go with videography. The bride's boquet was so elegant in pink peonies with snap dragons designed by wedding florist, Rubylyn Alvarez. Emil Buencamino took the task of capturing te moments in picture. Events Expert's team B headed by Tina running the show. Ceremonies took place at the San Sebastian Basilica where my staff escorted Mina until she commenced on walking the aisle.

A First for December ( Juson - Salvacion Wedding, December 3, 2006 )

Its an everyday wedding for December. The month where weddings competes with Christmas parties, balikbayan homecomings, Christmas shopping. The result? Its an everyday ordeal of traffic! Issa is my first bride-client to have her wedding. We arrived at the Astoria Plaza at half past eleven in the morning as advised that the bride will be leaving at one o'clock pm for the church ceremony. It was just time for us as the bride has just finished her make and make-up. A few minutes after we got to the bride's room, she decided to get dressed for the continuation of her hotel photo shoot. It was my first time to work side by side with photographer Chito Ignacio as well as the bride's wedding coordinator, Tina Baretto.Leaving the hotel at 10 minutes past one o'clock pm, we proceeded to Our Lady of Consolacion in Tierra Pura in Diliman, Quezon City for her ceremony. We arrived an hour and quarter of minutes early than her schedule wedding march. I had the chance to walk around the Church compound and realized that the church compound and seminary was being run by the Agustinian Recollects. At five minutes before three in the afternoon, I noticed all the members of the entourage all lined up being arranged and finalize dby the coordinator. We assisted the bride as she got off the bridal limousine to prevent her from soiling her dress. As the church's doors gradually opened, she commenced her bridal march after we have finished doing a final check on Issa in her wedding gown. My assistant Glecy was on standby as Issa approaches the altar. My staff was set to finally fix her gown and veil as the ceromony commences. After that, we realized that our work is done.

FWDP: Still on Pictorial

Onwards to the actual shoot beginning with beach bridal gowns (from L-R) Randall Solomon, Dennis Martin, Susie Bonaobra and Joel Bautista.

Marielle's Solo Shot. The blue detail of the gown defines the blue waters of the sea which makes it flamboyant and visually equates it to the waves of the sea. A beaching wedding gown that I inspired.....

Its classic wedding gowns this time. The creations of (Left to Right) Joel Escober,Michelle Lim, Shanon Pamaong and Joel Bautista.

Back detail of my classic wedding gown...

My shoot in formal attire with my model, Marielle de Leon

FWDP: More Pictorial Pictures

Some more pictures to see during our pictorial shoot..... Josaiah's Catering

The models on the breakfast table prior to make-up and preparation

Actual start of work. On with the preparation with make-up. I thought I was
seeing a hair and make-up styling competition with 6 artists showcasing their
artistry..........



Its dressing up time! I wonder what's keeping Marielle with her mobile phone...

FWDP, on location pictorial shoot

Its been quite a while. December is just few sleeps away and its going to be a breath catching month for us at work. My colleagues and I at FWDP have taken the initial step with our plans. Our first pictorial as a group took place last November 17 coinciding with my youngest sister's birthday.
It was such a big activity for us which commenced at 5:00 am that day. We arrived at Hacienda Isabelle at 7:00 am passing thru Tagaytay. The bulk of the group came via big bus that we hired. Fashion designers, fashion models, stylist, production assistants, hair and make-up artists, fashion and wedding photographers, and a lot more comprised the big production group comprising of close to a hundred. Preparation started immediately as Josaiah's catering provided a hearty breakfast for us. WPPP's President Lito Genilo of Smartshot Studio spearheaded the photographers comprising of Alan Borras of Passion Photograpy, Dino Lara, Louie Naguit of Louie Allan Photography, and Richel Mascarinas. The team of Jackie Rivera, Tonett Chua, Teddy Mendoza, Rolex Rivera, Edgar Soriano and Gai Fermin created the fabulous make-up of our professional models.
Publicist Calvin Neria was likewise present to assist in supervision of the shoot along with ace stylist Noel Manapat.
It was a smooth sailing photo shoot that went on throughout the day with Hizon's catering providing for lunch and again the merienda courtesy of Josaiah's catering . It was indeed a fun shoot and an eventual success as ABS-CBN's "Magandang Umaga Bayan" team was there to cover our activity and had it featured after a few days at their TV network. We're all tired and exhausted at the end of the day but happy and excited that we've taken this step as we prepare to come in full force with publicity beginning January of next year. Watch out for us..........

FWDP at Work

Meetings, meetings, meetings! We have to get through! We've started on our campaign.
By January 2007. We are going to be visible. We have colleages in the bridal industry who are trully sincere in helping and supporting us in this endeavor. No monetary conditions just an honest to goodness support. Thank you for all the help. Weddings @ Work (John and Benz Rana), Wedding Essentials (Marbee Go) , two of the pillars of the industry were there to support us. Indeed a very encouraging support. We have requested the services of Calvin Neria and his peers to be our
Publicist/PR and Noel Manapat will be doing the styling of our pictorial to be held at the Hacienda Isabella in Indang, Cavite owned by the singer-performer Kuh Ledesma.
We're having it mid this month. I'm happy we've taken steps for the association.

FWDP, The members

These are the members of our association:

1. Michelle Lim - PRESIDENT
2. Joel Bautista - VICE PRESIDENT
3. Edwin Uy - SECRETARY
4. Susie Bonaobra - TREASURER
5. Jerome Ang - PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
6. Shanon Pamaong - CHAIRMAN
7. Ruel Rivera - MEMBER
8. Joel Escober - MEMBER
9. Carmen Lazaro - MEMBER
10. Randall Solomon - MEMBER
11. Delby Bragais - MEMBER
12. Dennis Martin - MEMBER

Fashion by the Wedding Designers of the Philippines (FWDP)

We named our group as Fashion by the Wedding Designers of the Philippines (FWDP). We made it this time! After a year of striving to form this, we have officially established our league. I'm so happy and proud for the core group who stood all the way till we got this association finally formed. I hope those who did not push through as well as those even attempted to disrupt our momentum will realize that after all our efforts and determination to make this a union of professional designers, they will never and ever be part of this alliance. We are legitimate fashion designers whose passion creating wedding gowns as well as other formal occassion gowns gives us an overwhelming sense of fullfillment. We intend to focus on being responsible professionals in our field not just to our clients but also to our other colleagues as suppliers in the wedding industry. As the saying goes, "Two heads are better than one", but I'm very certain that at this very moment, "Twelve heads are better than one". One of our more important objective is to maintain our level of creativity, identity, quality and dedication to our work and potential clients and not just focusing on the monetary gains the bridal industry has opened for us.
I cannot imagine designers accepting so much clients and not sacrifice his/her sense of creativity and more importantly their dedication to their work and making each piece of wedding ensemble so called a "work of art". I believe in the creativity of every artist and their being personalized approach to their potential clients. We all have our saturations and limits. Sacrificing price for creativity, dedication and identity for each wedding is such a pity for many brides. Their wedding celebration is one of the most important milestone in a person's life and that we designers becomes an integral part of this very significant human event. For most, its a once in a lifetime event and our share of expertise is very important to them. I hope bride A and her entourage is not wearing the same and exact copy design of bride H of the same designer which only differed from the color motif. It becomes so unfortunate. But it happens! A reality indeed.
We are here to stay! We will make it work! We hope to be in harmonious alliance with the other suppliers in the industry. We're all so excited about this. Every member is bent on doing his/her best in this common goal of ours.

A Potential C-Section Tandem ( Alegado - Alcantara Wedding, October 28, 2006)

A potential C-section (Ceasarian section) team of doctors were united today on a drizzling but manageable sunday afternoon. Marie whose very soon to complete her training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Voltz who is finished with his residency in Anesthesiology both coming from reputable Medical Centers in the city. We entered the bridal suite of Marie at the Tower wing of EDSA Shangri-la. Make-up was on its final stage by Toto Bagamasbad. Comment? How can you go wrong with Toto? He's done it again! Neat, well made up face on Marie and the rest. I finally got to work with Richel Mascarinas for photography and Threelogy for videography. PAWP's Demoiselle Events Management was the couple's chosen coordinator. Petal Patch did the flowers for the bridal entourage. Of course I did notice the couple's wedding favors made by Sonny Osi of Excel Frames.
Marie dressed up as scheduled and had time to do her hotel pictorial and proceeded to Fernwood Garden's St. Francis Chapel for the Ceremony and the Cycad Garden for the banquet celebration. Of course I didn't miss to notice Voltz in his boyish look wearing the barong we did for him. The wedding march commenced at 6:10 pm. It was Marie's folks who placed the blusher on her face as she approached the half-length of the aisle. Did I mention about any glitch? Of course I didn't! There was none.

A Lady Di in a Renaissance theme ( Diana Gatlabayan Debut, October 14, 2006)

We're bound for Antipolo this time, the Gatlabayans' bailwick. At 4 pm we luckily arrived after the traffic ordeal at the Ortigas Avenue Extension stretch. We immediately saw Diana's beautiful transformation from a lass to a lady as Jackie Rivera was finishing the debutant's hair do. The make-up was likewise stunning. I felt happy that Rico and Laura (Diana's whimsical godparents, aka fairies) as well as Marie, the debutant's sister accommodated my recommendation to get the services of the Jackie for this theme. I didn't fail my celebrant after all. Indeed, Jackie Rivera is a world class hair & make-up artist. The Gatlabayans were such warm and hospitable hosts. Sir Joven was so admirable for his humility as the Patriarch and goes the same with Madame Mel as the matriarch.
At the fourth level of their Palace, we watched Diana do her pictorials as the staff of Jorge's Portrait does the job side by side with its videographers. Everything went on smoothly and by 6:30 pm we all headed for Jamesville Resort Pavillon where the grand celebration will be held. Flowers and Foliage did a wonderful job on the floral creation and set up of the place including ceiling decorations. I rarely stay and join my client's celebration. This is one of the rare times that I get to stay in the entire celebration. A well planned and organized debut celeration I must commend.

More of the Recto - Katigbak Wedding

Here are some more pictures of Dr. Danny and Dr. Ave's wedding.