In Honor of the Immaculate Conception

My colleague Dennis Martin invited us to participate in the festivities of the 100 years of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in his place of origin in Concepcion in Malabon City last September 8. A procession that will include "sagalas" was the highlight of the event and I would think that no less 30 designers from FWDP,FDAP, FAF, PAFD took part in this said event. Though short of time to prepare a real creative terno, I tried to come up with a modest santacruzan terno for the event. FWDP designers Jerome Ang, Edwin Uy, Susie Bonaobra along with Dennis Martin and I were present.

Wedding Bells in Houston (Johnson - Ignacio Wedding, September 8, 2007)

Rhona is an overseas bride getting married in Texas to Robert. It was an all time voice call for us since Rhon didn't have the chance to come home to scout for her wedding gown designer. It was an on-line decision for her and made sure that her concerns were attended to along with the time-line commitment with her dress. I felt so fulfilled with the satisfaction she made me aware of along with the compliments coming from her friends. She tied the knot at the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Houston, Texas and reception followed at the Bella Terraza. Refer to their wedding site at www.robandrhona.com

A Wedding in Los Angeles, (Barcena - Abdon Wedding, September 1, 2007)

My overseas bride, Katrina Abdon. Never got the chance to meet her personally before she tied the knot. I did met her folks. Real nice and accomodating people based in Baguio City who travelled all the way for Kat's wedding gown and Mrs. Abdon's Dress. Looking forward to meeting her and his husband soon.

Wedding Expo Philippines, 11th Edition

September 1 and 2, Its Wedding Expo Philippines once again. My exhibit together with the entire members of the FWDP (Fashion by the Wedding Designers of the Philippines). My appreciation to those who visited my exhibit area as well as the couples who booked on the spot. Kudos to Themes and Motifs for an always successful bridal event.

Wedding at the Highlands ( Valdez - Limcaoco Wedding, August 31, 2007)

I was advised by PAWP's Jody Liwanag of Events Expert for a call time of 12:00 noon.
On a drizzling friday, I was on my way to the Highlands SPA and Lodge of the Tagaytay Highlands where Misshy was dressing up. Leaving at 10:00 am, I realized that traffic was an issue of some points at SLEX. I knew we won't make it at noon.





We arrived at 12:30 pm considered acceptable as It was about half an hour after the bride decided to dress up. It was a team of dependable, reputable suppliers with Dino Lara for photograpy, Threelogy for videography, Madge Lejano's second team as Madge underwent surgery for her slip disc. Teddy Manuel was the stylist/florist. The wedding invite looked so appropriate by Printsonalities. I knew I was working side by side with a formidable team of wedding suppliers. Misshy was emotional upon wearing her dress as photographers and videographers took turn in documenting the event. I noticed her mom Rica was likewise on the verge of tearing. I guess the emotional part of this event is usual. Their family's bonding was of course a family achievement. The mood was festive as Misshy has lined up her high school peers from De La Salle - Zobel. The event went very well as we went to the Midlands Chapel to witness the ceremony. The wedding party is likewise taking place at the Highlands. Of course after Misshy's approach to the altar with her beau it was time for us to rush back to Manila to catch up with the ingress for Wedding Expo's Event. We we're lucky to beat the 8:00 pm time for ingress.

Weddings at the Crowne Plaza Galleria

August 11 and 12 marked the two day event for Crowne Plaza Galleria's bridal fair event for this year. FWDP came in full force with the two-day event with a bridal show during the first day and an exhibition of the gowns comprising 32-pc gown showcase in different styles, and silhouettes. The show was a success despite the organizers' not so supportive arrangment with our show as the audience watched and appreciated the gowns which came out in different looks in correlation with the bridal fair's "four season" theme. The ever popular and talented Henry Pascual,florist/stylist/show director choreographed the show, Gloria Sy provided the hair and make-up of the models. The two-day event came out in a relatively smaller magnitude but was able to succeed in its targeted audience, primarily the couples preparing to get married. The second day also had two more shows one in the afternoon and the other one in the evening. But what came I say? Not to being subjective, partial and biased, its the FWDP's (Fashion by the Wedding Designers of the Philippines) show that was much more attended and better presented.

A Manila Wedding from New York (Gabayan - Cruz Wedding, August 10, 2007)

Gina and Joy came to my atelier during the last quarter of last year, 2006. I learned that on the day that they came to me, they were scheduled to fly back to New York the following day. To begin with, I felt so priveledged upon learning that even when they were still back home, Gina was indeed interested in seeing me and checking out my works. It was indeed destiny. A must visit for her to my office and soon realized that they were getting my services to do the apparel requirements both for the male and female entourage. Of course, primary consideration was Gina's wedding gown and Joy's Barong Tagalog. It was a quick decision as I vowed not to disappoint them.
We were in touch all those times that they were in New York and me here in Manila. One of the smoothest working relationship I had with a client-couple based abroad. I have proven time and again that I can work pretty well with clients based overseas as long we are constantly in touch with each other along with their open mind to suggestions and appreciation of your inputs to them.



Over a week before their wedding date, they arrived and tried to set a fitting appoinment with us. I guess it was the good vibes that we had that made everything easy. Gown adjustment was minor and my bride-client Gina was happy and delighted with the outcome not just with her gown but with the rest of the entourage as well.
Come wedding day, things fell in its proper places. Just a hint of delays with preparation but managed to pull things of anyhow. Definitely not on my end for we committed with Gina as how she anticipated things would have proceeded.
Another masterpiece by hair and make-up artist, Jackie Rivera, I thought he didn't have that much time to work for Gina and Joy' as their late return to the hotel at almost lunchtime to make sure that some final arrangements at the CBCP's chancery where fixed prior to the ceremony making it legal and valid. Ariel Javelosa's Photography and Videography was documenting the event. Scenta Flora provided the floral picks for the brides requirements. Chacha Arevalo of Lifestyle Party Planners was running the event. As we all gathered at room 941 of the Garden Wing of the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, St. Francis of Assisi Chapel was being set-up for the ceromony and eventually to the Fernwood Gardens with Josaiah's Catering preparing the feast for this banquet.
On a Friday afternoon along EDSA, of course traffic was horrendous. But of course this exchange of vows is scheduled to take place and not even the rain could alter the outcome of this joyous penultimate event for Joy and Gina and their kids. It was a long flight to the Philippines that Joy and Gina had to undergo along with their family to realize this dream wedding. A blessed marriage forever!