Remar Balatero-Joelene Sarmiento
Baclayon Church
Bohol Tropics
Almost a year ago, I got an e-mail with the subject, “in desperate need of a wedding planner.” I was intrigued by the subject line and I immediately opened and read the message. One could sense the sender’s desperation and predicament. Briefly, she told me her difficult situation: 1. They are a couple based in California. 2. Both of them could spare only a few days in Manila before the actual wedding. 3. The wedding would be held in Bohol. 4. They expect 250 plus guests.
After sending her my standard wedding proposal with a few links featuring my most recent weddings, I got a follow-up e-mail from the bride –
“I've spoken to numerous coordinators through the e-mail, but none have quite the experience and portfolio you have. I've spoken to many coordinators that just didn't mesh well with me, and now I feel like, judging from your e-mail and website galleries, I found THE one.” Now, tell me, who would not be flattered by that generous compliment? Even I, in my jaded, stoic self was so touched, and honored to be a part of her wedding.
Luckily, a huge load was taken off my back when I learned that Mimi and Karl, Madge Lejano, Veluz Reyes and Jason Magbanua were all included in the list of suppliers.
I visited Bohol twice for ocular inspection and to look for local suppliers who could furnish our other needs for the event. The wedding preparations were a breeze. Joelene, the bride, had a clear-cut vision of how she wanted the wedding to be. My inbox was filled with photos she gathered from all the websites and these were used as pegs -from the gown to the invitations, flowers and the reception. Everything neatly fell into place.
The details were, pardon my self-patronizing tone, downright elegant, coherent and exquisite.
Invitations. The purple, damask-laden invitation was rich and opulent. It featured a letterpressed main invitation with an RSVP page, entourage page, and liturgical participants page inserted into a lime green- lined envelope.
Chocolates. The two-layered Kitkat chocolate wafers were covered with specially designed wrappers that bore the purple damask prints of the invitations. These chocolates served as décor on the customized lime green linens. Individually, all the seated guests got significantly apt and different words (e.g., laughter, trust, desire, compromise, etc.) that semantically spell a happy and successful marriage. At the back of the chocolates were the pronunciation transcription enclosed in parentheses and a brief dictionary definition of the word. Truly, this ingenious touch was a conversation piece.
Unity candle set. The crystals encrusted on the matches and candles were actually earrings snapped up from a thrift store. Add a silver ribbon and voila!, you have an instant expensive-looking unity candle set.
Misalettes. The misalette covers were done plain lime green and plain purple. Adding interest to the misalette were metal ear hoops with a vintage feel.
Gown and bag. To say that Veluz did a geat job was an understatement. Joelene’s wedding gown was truly a fashion magnum opus. The moment she glided along the church aisle for her bridal march, a series of ooohs and ahhhs emanated from the guests. Apart from the jaw-dropping intricate details, what made the gown most amazing was the fact that Joelene never had a fitting not until a week before the wedding. The bag featured ostrich feathers and the same rosettes found on the wedding gown. Simply, Veluz outdid herself once again (as if this is even possible) proving time and again that you will never go wrong with great talent combined with sheer artistry. 
Gifts for the principal sponsors. The couple gifted their principal sponsors with a pack of social cards – something which they can use. Special silver gift wrappers covered the boxes which contained a matched set of 100 cards and 100 envelopes. The packaging was topped with a personalized gift tag and accentuated with purple ostrich feathers. 
Bridesmaids’ outfits. Since all the bridesmaids would come from the U.S., it was Joelene’s idea to buy their outfits online. It was also very thoughtful of the couple to give the female entourage members brooches to be used on the wedding day. Even the cute flower girls were provided with brooches. Notice the matching shoes of the female entourage members – very chic indeed! 
Bouquets. Each bouquet for the female entourage member had a special crystal trinket. This is another personal touch which was well appreciated by the bride’s friends.
Cake and dessert table. Would you believe that the wedding cake cake was made of butter icing? From afar, the cake looked like it was made of fondant which is the common trend in wedding cakes. And with its intricate damask print design, one would expect fondant icing to be used. But no; upon closer inspection, it was made of butter icing! A dessert buffet was set around the cake table. Aptly labeled “Sweets for my sweet,” it offered a variety of decadently delectable desserts specially chosen by the bride and the groom. A hit among the guests was the R and J- shaped gingerbread cookies. Thanks to Ching Usares of Lola Lilia's for the scrumptious dessert spread and the intricate wedding cake. 
Floral arrangements. A great find in Tagbilaran, Bohol was the team of Joseph Dumadag and Michael Yu of Blue Grass Project who supplied all my floral requirements. The aisle of Baclayon Church was lined with white floral arrangement on lighted posts. For the reception, special white damask printed lamps and ornamental wood lamps from Manila were shipped all the way to Bohol. These lamps were decorated with clusters of white flowers. Customized green linens were made specifically for the 14-seater tables of Bohol Tropics. Specially designed table numbers and program cards adorned each guest table. The program cards contained the names and oft-quoted verses of famous poets. Four damask backlit posts topped with cascading white flowers served as the couple’s backdrop. 
Stairs. Of all the motifs, I liked most the love quotes which were placed strategically on the stairs leading to the reception area. These love quotes were specially handpicked by the bride. 
Photo Booth. If Mimi and Karl brought the Clique Booth to their own wedding in Bora, Joelene brought it to Bohol. Guests didn’t mind the long queue just to have their pictures taken. 
Bus ride. Since there were about 60 guests who came all the way from the U.S. (and some Manila-based guests), a bus shuttled all the guests from the resort where they stayed to the church and back to the reception venue. 
Wisely, every would-be bride should listen to what Joelene has learned from the pre-wedding experience-- one has to “let go” so one can enjoy her wedding. She trusted her suppliers and in return, she got the best (and more) from all of them.
Special thanks to Auntie Bettie for helping us with the logistics; Mae of Supreme Weddings and Chinkie Agregado for their expertise and indispensable assistance;. Ella and Joy for making sure that all wedding plans and details were carried out to the letter; Ryan Li for the tips in mounting a wedding in Bohol;. Veluz, Niko and Ate Lempot for the masterpiece and the pleasure of their company.( I appreciate as well their going out of their way to help us with the entourage outfits); Tetta for hosting the event in three languages – English, Filipino and Bisaya; Madge for leaving her comfort zone and doing an excellent job on Joelene; Jason for the well-received on- site video coverage; Mimi and Karl for the wonderful pictures and for recommending me to this wonderful couple. (Wow, I feel like I’m the bride here.). Lastly, on a serious note, thank you Joelene and Remar for your trust in me. It was a joy planning your wedding and I look forward to going with you to Disneyland in July. 
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
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.
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.
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
Copyright 2008 Events! Events!
