Real Weddings: A Family Affair

Aldrich De Villa-Ada Atotubo
Don Bosco
Manila Polo Club

It has been quite sometime since my last blog. I was out of the country for some rest and recreation. And now, I am back.

My blogging of the beautiful weddings I have planned starts with the wedding of my cousin Ada Atotubo and Aldrich de Villa. Both were longtime boyfriend-girlfriend in high school. This explained why the prenuptial pictures were taken at Colegio de San Agustin—where it all began. Kudos to the couple’s wedding photographer, Oly Ruiz of Metro Photography, for capturing the beautiful images of the prenups as well as of the wedding day itself.

As part of their wedding motif, a custom monogram was made—stylized letter A (which stands for Aldrich and Ada) enveloped by a specially designed lace pattern.

The pattern, as expected, adorned all the printed materials from the invitations and the misalettes to the menu and escort cards. The same pattern was seen on the unity candle set and even the matches used during the nuptial mass. The bride got dressed at their Spanish-inspired casa in Parañaque. Madge Lejano of The Make Up Studio prettified Ada who stood out in a Parrish Espiritu Carlos bridal masterpiece of a gossamer gown in offwhite French Chantilly lace with tulled hemline. Ada’s female entourage wore custom flowy chiffon gowns in mango yellow also by Parrish. Each gown was accentuated with burnt orange and brown rope embellishments. The female principal sponsors were provided with more than sufficient clothing material which created a unified look in their fine apparel. The aisle of Don Bosco Church was lined with white floral arrangements tucked neatly on gold cone-shaped tin cans which were transferred promptly to the reception venue after the couple’s recessional. At the registration table, guests eagerly scoured through individually packed cracker nuts sealed with a decorated paper containing their seat assignments. The line, “Nuts About You,” (pun intended) was placed together with the escort cards. While waiting for the newlyweds to arrive, guests were treated to a musical extravaganza courtesy of Sound Salad. Shortly after, the couple made a grand entrance into the main dining hall of Manila Club festooned with monochromatic yellow flowers that enhanced the bronze damask table linens and champagne Tiffany chairs.
The bride personally designed the wish cards distributed during the dinner. Guests gamely answered questions printed on these wish cards: “Who made the first move? “Who has the final say in everything?” “Do you think it was love at first sight?” Napkin holders in yellow and amber tones personally handcrafted by the bride’s aunt, Gwen Garcia, added texture to the long presidential table. Warm, yellow light emanated from candle holders made by the bride from glittered ribbons, double-sided tape and regular drinking glass.

Since the couple were student sweethearts in CSA, they playfully named the guest tables “Nursery,” “Kinder,” Grade 1,” “Second Year,” and so on.The bride and groom cut one of the four satellite light butter cream cakes with caramel filling from Estrel’s Bakeshop. The cakes reflected the same lace pattern from the invitations. Cristina Canada-Lazo emceed the night’s programme which had fun games for the single men and women and was culminated with a special dance number by the newlyweds.Until the very end of the evening reception, Ada and Aldrich simply radiated with much and real honest-to-goodness happiness which, for me, is the most beautiful element of any wedding.

Me with Madge, Tetta and Oly

Me with designer, Parrish Espiritu-Carlos

Ada and Aldrich with the team from Events! Events!

My immediate family

New York! New York!

After mounting 8 splendid January weddings and 7 unforgettable December weddings, it is imperative that I unwind, re-energize, and attend to the affairs of my heart. I will leave for New York tomorrow, and will be back first week of March. Clients and would-be clients can reach me thru e-mail info@eventseventstm.com. Truly, this trip promises to be an exciting, awesome one. Not only will I hunt for fresh and innovative wedding ideas Stateside, but will also spend thrilling and quality time with my O.

Second Chance

It was my second time to be interviewed for my U.S. visa application. This time around, I was doubly nervous. Though I had no expectation, and had psyched myself up for whatever outcome, the thought of being denied again a U.S. visa was eating me up. The entire process – from the submission of the passport and forms at the pavilion to the actual waiting for my number to be called for the actual interview and the interview proper – was whirling in my head. My heart was beating fast. I was thinking – I would rather do weddings than undergo such high anxiety. (Really, I would prefer planning a wedding than being interviewed by the consul.)

And then my turn came. Window no. 3. A young lady, probably in her mid-20's interviewed me. Unlike the first time, no papers were asked from me – no bank statements, no land titles, no nothing. I answered her questions about my work as truthfully as I could. After a few more questions, she went back to her database and found out I was interviewed last July. This time, I thought that my chances of getting approved were getting slimmer. Then nonchalantly, she told me, "I find no reason why you were denied the first time." I answered simply, "Same here. I also don't know why." At this point, I got a glimpse of the interviewer-consul through the next window. And there he was – the same consul who interviewed me the first time. I just wanted to blurt out to the lady consul, "Ask him why I was denied." Good thing, I stopped short of saying that line. After a few more tinkering with her database, she smiled and said, "You can now visit the U.S. I am giving you a B1/B2 visa." I couldn't contain my happiness. I wanted to kiss the lady consul. After mustering enough guts, I asked her what type of visa she was giving me. And she said cheerfully, "10 years multiple entry visa." I left the window beaming from ear to ear.

I plan to visit the U.S. in February 2009 for a maximum of three weeks. After that, I need to fly back to Manila because I have wedding commitments in March.

For those who prayed for me and with me so that my visa would be granted, thank you so much.

In Gratitude

It was early this year when I just came home from an event that I got a heartbreaking news from Raymond, my brother-in-law. His wife Tessa, my younger sister, is diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer. I could still remember how I tried to be strong when I went up to her room immediately after I learned about the ailment. There she was in a corner, staring at her only daughter. I walked up to her and assured her that everything would be fine. Deep inside, however, I was so scared for her. Who would have thought that a 30-year-old woman who does not have any vice, lives a simple and quiet life, and eats healthy food would be afflicted with cancer?

I phoned some of my doctor-friends and doctor-clients for options and opinions on her condition. She underwent a battery of tests and opted for chemotherapy. Her doctor told her that she didn’t need a mastectomy (removal of breasts) because the cancer was detected early on. It also helped that she was young and her physical condition at that time could withstand the rigors and effects of chemotherapy.

I never thought that my younger sister could be that brave for the duration of the treatment. She took on the battle with the Big C head-on. She was strong. She needed to be. We all had to be strong for her as well. I think more than anything else, the prayers of the family and friends helped us a lot.

With my sister's permission, here is the letter she sent out to our family and friends who stood by us during our most trying times. Tessa, my dear sister, I look up to you for the kind of strength you have shown during this entire process. Remember that we all love you.

Thinking back to the first days after I've learned that I had breast cancer, it felt as though my world had turned upside-down and inside-out. Terror and grief overwhelmed me. All I could think about was my diagnosis and the overpowering feelings that controlled me. My life was overturned in the most dramatic way with death staring me in the face. I remember the fear in the faces of my loved ones and the pain and grief I put them through.

After the last treatment, I know my life is forever changed by cancer. I realized I cannot return to my old life because I am a different person after the crisis. Having gone through chemo and radiation is like having gone to hell and back. I have battled the worst and have come out victorious.

I hope and usually believe that I am going to be okay. One reality that you cannot escape is the hard fact that no one can ever promise you that the cancer is completely gone, that you are cured, that you can live the rest of your life without worry. Sometimes I do get scared, and then I remember what I have already been through. My faith sustains me. I would never have thought that I could manage surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and feeling so ill but I did. If the future brings me more cancer, I now know that somehow I will manage.

One of the most important things I have learned from this healing journey is that God will use the cancer as a tool to reverse our life and make it better. Sometimes, it takes cancer to give us the clarity we need to see in our life; it’s always for something bigger and better. Breast cancer has changed me physically, emotionally and spiritually. I’ve learned a great deal about my capacity for strength, for courage, for empathy, and for love. If there’s one thing that cancer has taught me, it’s that I am stronger than I think.

I am proud to be part of a very special sisterhood ICanServe, and grateful for my companions on this journey. They have inspired me and reminded me once again of how beautiful life is and that it does not cease to be beautiful during or after cancer.

Thinking about my own life with breast cancer, I must acknowledge that my family, relatives and friends deserve most of the credit for my coping. Your prayers and support give me strength to continue fighting this battle. I will forever be grateful to all of you. I wouldn’t have gone through this without all of you by my side. I am overwhelmed by your powerful messages of love, prayers and encouragement. Thank you so much.

To my daughter Gela, thank you for giving me more than enough reason to fight this disease and for always telling me “it’s okay mom” whenever you see me crying. Your smile and laughter helped me go through the bad days during my treatment.

Most of all, I thank my husband, Mon, for always being there for me every step of the way. No matter what the future brings, we will get through it all together.

Thank you everyone... for everything.

TESSA

Tessa with her husband, Mon and two-year old daughter, Gela - Christmas 2007.
Tessa during her sixth and last chemo session at Medical City - August 2008

Real Weddings: Finally Together

Dan Tesoro-Dadang Desiderio
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club

It never fails to warm my heart whenever I receive a message from former clients expressing their appreciation of the hard work I put in planning their wedding. It becomes all the more special and touching if the message came some months after the event.

One such couple is Dan and Dadang Tesoro. Their wedding proved once more that good things happen to those who wait.

This fun-loving couple went steady in college and have been together since. They had ample time (ten years, more or less) to know each other well before taking the plunge. The moment finally came when they decided to get married at the quaint Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church which served as a perfect backdrop for a solemn ceremony witnessed by 300 of the couple’s family members and friends.
Dadang’s vision of something elegant but simple materialized beautifully throughout the wedding. Set in November, the event took on a “Thanksgiving Day” theme with Dadang opting for orange, plum and green as her wedding colors. All the printed materials—from the escort cards, programme cards and invitations—used maple leaf icons. The exquisite wedding gown, masterfully conceptualized by celebrated fashion designer, Patis Tesoro (who happens to be the groom’s aunt) featured multi-colored appliqués delicately attached piece by piece on off-white silk chiffon. The bride was made radiant by Cathy Cantada. Before leaving for the church, the couple, going against tradition, had their formal portraits taken by David Hanson at the lobby of Shangri-La Makati. Indeed, there was never a dull moment with this laid-back couple. Both food lovers, Dan and Dadang were incessant and meticulous in searching for and choosing the best food to serve their 300 plus guests. The Plaza, having catered to many of the Tesoro’s family functions, was the unanimous choice. Not to be excluded was the perennially famous ham which made The Plaza a household name. The scrumptious first courses, entrees and side dishes included Prawns Bellevue; Mesclun Salad with Ceasar’s Dressing and Light Balsamic Vinaigrette; Crème Dory Meunire with Tomato Basil Salsa and Caper Butter Sauce; Roast Beef; Whole Roast Turkey with Apple, Prune and Chestnut Gravy; Boiled Corned Beef with Vegetables and Horseradish Cream; Canneloni with Mushroom; and Spaghettini with Sundried Tomato.
A special dessert spread laid out by Juddah Liu of Costa Brava featured classic dessert confections—food for the gods, chocolate eclairs, tocino del cielo, lemon squares, sugar-free apple pie, caramel cake, nelusco, and white birthday cake. She also prepared a tower of soft butter chiffon cupcakes given as souvenirs for the wedding guests. The unique table centerpieces by Tony Padilla jibed perfectly with the “thanksgiving” motif complete with real palay stalks and fruits. Complementing the table centerpieces were dried maple leaves overlaid in sparkling gold, red and orange glitters. The night resonated with wonderful speeches by the maid of honor, Rawn Lopez and the best man, Dave Zuniga. Capping the program was the couple’s first dance which led to an evening of fun, music and merrymaking. Truly, Dan and Dadang, your wedding was a blast!