My Summary of 2010............Part 1

It is so unfortunate that I was not able to post anything with updates of what was going on with me, my career with weddings for 2010. This was a good one for me at the very least to consider. I was elected as the President of FWDP (Fashion by the Wedding Designers of the Philippines). As the newly elected President, I had to make a re-shaping of the association. With the help of my colleagues, we managed to make an eventful year for FWDP.
I'ved had few exposures with bridal fairs and exhibits for this year. So many things have changed. Maybe because of hard times that people are clinging to their bucks. Most bridal fairs have become avenues for neophyte suppliers, not so neophyte, and veteran suppliers whose thrust in their craft has remained only as purely a profit matter. I wonder why in this third world country where I continue to thrive with my chosen career , bargains, freebies has become the most successful way of luring brides-to-be. I recall when we were just starting , people come to us because they believe and appreciate our craft. They are willing to pay the price of what we believed in ourselves. And they go for it. Now, its like an invasion of "CHINA" in the wedding industry. I could only hope and wish that how it was before would be how it would always be for brides and grooms, debutants and alikes.
Am I complaining? I'm most certain that it just a sentiment. I'm an optimistic person.

Catching up on my blogs

I yet have to post some of my weddings and other events beginning January. I was looking for the photos of my very first wedding for this year. I seem not to find any. Then I stopped looking and eventually stopped blogging. I had too many things to attend to later on. Too many things has happened since January of this year. But I will catch up. I will!

Philippine Destination Wedding for a Guamanian Couple ( Joson - Andrada Wedding, December 24, 2009)

I accepted a commissioned work for apparels for a wedding that will be celebrated on the eve of Christmas day. Jason and Anna were born in the Philippines, grew up and lived in Guam and has decided to be married here in one of the most sought after venues in Tagaytay.



I knew this wonderful couple thru a previous Guamanian couple, a previous wedding client, Adrian and Anna Peregrino. It really gives me a good feeling that despite some differences in culture, I have managed to work with them easily and efficiently. I feel so blessed having to have worked harmoniously for these two wonderful couples. I am really happy with the fact that many times, its a lot easier to work with clients based overseas. They tend to be more simple , exact and I feel that they really know what they want. You will really feel how appreciative they are with the sincerity and efforts you devote for them.



The Josons and the Andradas are one of the most pleasant and appreciative families I'ved worked for on this concern. Never a dull moment. Anna and Jason were very nice and pleasant .
No walls, no curtains and things were a lot easier for us to accomplish for them. Their wedding planner was likewise commendable as they had their "hand-on" totally on the wedding Anna and Jason.



My special mention to Jason's mom, Ms. Elizabeth. My sincerest gratitude to her appreciation of our work and efforts.
It didn't even give me any second thoughts of having to drive way up to Tagaytay to assist a wedding even on the eve of Christmas. Its a first for me and my commitment have stayed to assist them in the best possible way we can.


We arrived at Anna's dressing up venue ahead of the supposed call time. Everything was smoooth and in order. I could see Anna's happiness and excitement that finally the day has arrived for her to be with Jason in Matrimony. Everyone is excited to witness the union of this lovely Romeo and Juliet. The chapel was packed with relatives, friends from here and Guam and even farther to the US.
The wind was blowing the huge veil on Anna. But I guess that is part of excitement.
I wish this couple all the married bliss.

DRESSING UP VENUES: BRIDE: Ville Sommeit
GROOM: Taal Vista Hotel
CEREMONY VENUE: Chapel of Transfiguration, Caleruega, Nasugbu, Batangas
RECEPTION VENUE: Ville Sommeit

PHOTOGRAPHY: Imagine Nation
VIDEOGRAPHY: Imagine Nation
Wedding Coordinator: Shindig Events
INVITATION: Printsonalities
HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Lorrie Abraham
FLORIST: Flowers of May
BRIDAL LIMOUSINE: Vintage Cars of Don Robert's Bridal Limousines
CATERER: Juan Carlo Catering

PHOTOS USED IN PERMISSION WITH THE BRIDE, Ms. Anna Andrada-Joson

The Wedding Two Days Before Christmas ( Flotildes - Barayang Wedding, December 23, 2009)

Its was two days before Christmas Day, Cel and John Paul have set their altar date. Both based in Singapore, Cel was constantly in touch with us thru my assistant Roem.
The color swatch choice didn't come easy since they were based overseas and had to make sure the the sample color they wanted for was the right one. Thanks to Cel's sister we eventually got to the color of their choice for their motif.


It was a good thing she had time to come home to fit the gown and fly back to Singapore where she is working. Fittings for everyone went on swiftly. All the members of the female entourage were cooperative. My veteran make-up artist friend was around to enhance Cel's beautiful young looking face into a radiant glowing bride. It was definitely her day. Photographers were really busy shooting the bride and her family.


The smooth ride to the ceremony venue took us about ten minutes to arrive in a church right in front of a convention center. Everything went well I'm most certain.

DRESSING UP VENUE: HERITAGE HOTEL
CEREMONY VENUE: SHRINE OF JESUS, THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT
RECEPTION VENUE: HERITAGE HOTEL

PHOTOGRAPHY: LITO GENILO OF SMARTSHOT
VIDEOGRAPHY: SMARTSHOT
WEDDING COORDINATOR: JODY LIWANAG OF EVENTS EXPERTS
HAIR AND MAKE-UP: EDDIE BRUAN
FLORIST: TROPICAL BLOOMS

Marriage In Realtime ( Martinez - Manantan Wedding December 19, 2009)

Charmaine is a Texas based bride-client of mine who is having her Church wedding here in Manila. She was referred to me by a good coordinator friend Jody, months before their wedding date. She and Leo are having a church ceremony for their wedding. As always, Chairmaine was a very pleasant bride-client. I am fortunate that she trusted me a hundred per cent with the design and style of her wedding dress. I was so happy of the turn out and she appreciated the dress very much as well. I am thankful for having Charmaine as one of my overseas bride-clients. It was smoothly carried out.

DRESSING-UP VENUE: Diamond Hotel Philippines
CEREMONY VENUE: San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila
RECEPTION: La Castellana, Intramuros

Photographer: Ariel Javelosa Photography
Vidoegrapher: Ariel Javelosa Videography
Coordinator: Events Experts c/o Jody Feliciano
Florist: 2171 Floral Creations, Joyce Aguilar
Coordinator: Events Experts by Jody Liwanag
Hair and Make-up Artist: Mayone Bakunawa

December Wedding in its Simplicity ( Cordova - Vigo Wedding, December 11, 2009)

Mamelle is such a sweet bride-elect client when she came to my office. In such a short lead time, she commissioned me to do her wedding dress. She wanted a very simple dress but then I thought that wearing a very simple dress in a historical church would be such an understatement. Still her plan of coming with a simple wedding dress is my command though I succeeded in convincing that we create a simple, traditional yet modern styled wedding dress.Mamelle is tying the not with Ben who is the cousin of the husband of my very dear friend Grace.
Mamelle is working in an established commercial and universal bank while Ben is a law practitioner with special focus on labor concerns. It was indeed a simple wedding but both Mamelle and Ben looked radiant in their wedding attires. It was a simple preparation, not fun-fare.
Mamelle was so naive with her wedding preps not thinking that there should be more adventure with pictures to be taken. The line-up was likewise simple. But to my thoughts it was such an eventful one.

DRESSING-UP VENUE: BAYVIEW HOTEL MANILA
CEREMONY VENUE: SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH INTRAMUROS
RECEPTION VENUE: ILLUSTRADO RESTAURANT

PHOTOGRAPHER: JUN GARCIA PHOTOGRAPHY