Wed on the Fourth of July!!!

WARNING: This is one LONG post. Consider yourself warned :D

Wow, it's been more than a month since that eventful day in July, and I am still overwhelmed with everything that has happened. It's not so much the what, but it's the how that grabs me. BLESSED is truly an understatement, since for the life of me, I could not have planned everything to make sure that things happened the way they did. The weather, the sunset, the food, the dancing, everything just worked. But that's the thing with God, He gives not because we deserved it, but simply because He can. God is truly good!!!

And so, let me tell the story of our wedding day through the lenses of the talented people of Imagine Nation:

Our airbrushed sneakers. Mine were courtesy of Loi's sister Yoh. Way cool!




My suit by THE Cecilio Abad


Getting ready for the big day


Opening Loi's surprise for me. Awww... :D


Loi's bridal bouquet made of cymbidiums from Tita Lulu Sotto of L. Carlos, beautifully arranged by Tita Gina de Guzman of Seawind


Loi's bridal gown, again made by no less than award-winning designer and good friend Cecilio Abad


Loi reading through the scrapbook of small mementos we collected while having her hair done by ace stylist Raymond Ko


Little did she know that I had a surprise of my own :p


Time for the gorgeous and talented Jesy Alto to weave her colorful artistry


Swapping one ring for another


Look at the weather! Simply amazing!!!


The two special ladies in my life


The men in my life


Being ourselves


All made up


With uber-talented couple and dear friends Erron Ocampo and Jesy Alto. Love you both!!!


Loi's family... and now mine :D


A sight to behold


Checking out the bouquet


Loving the shoes


Time to leave for the church


This is it! Walking to the tune of "I wanna wake up with you" by Boris Gardiner. Loi and I agreed to choose each other's wedding march and to keep it secret from one another.


Just a few more minutes 'til her grand entrance


One last look


Playing Loi's wedding march, the theme song from "Love Affair" by Ennio Morricone


A sight I've waited for my entire life


Walking down the aisle


Hellooooow Beautiful!!!


Enjoying Fr. Placer's homily


At the altar


The happy couple


Sealing the deal


Having a moment


View from the aisles


Our entourage


Dear friends from the Jaycees


Dancing our way out to the tune of
"Can't take my eyes off you"


Silly happy :D


Having cocktails by the beach


Sunset photos


While our guests were at the beach, we slipped off
to Discovery Shores for a quick portrait session with sir Jong


... and Erron


Only God can make a backdrop like this


or this


or this


With newlyweds and cool couple
John Mateos Ong and Monique Lopez-Ong


The only way to do a Boracay wedding entrance...
Masterful poi work by our dear friend Raphy


We wanted our guests to have the best wedding cake we know of,
and Alex Franco was gracious enough to make it for us


Let's play "How well do you know"


Praying for our guests


Busting out all the moves for our first dance
choreographed by Raphy


My crack at the poi routine


After all these years, I still have it in me :D


Super-coordinator and choreographer par excellence
Christine Ong-Te leading the group dance


... while the rest happily follow


Two of the best coordinators in the industry, bar none,
Christine Ong-Te and Amanda Tirol with her daughter Sasha


Judging from the look on sir Jo's face, it is officially...


Party time!!!


A special shout-out to those who lent their talents, listened to our wedding plans and helped us turn those plan into reality. God could not have chosen better messengers of His blessings than you guys:

John Mateos Ong, Erron Ocampo and our Imagine Nation family for our photo and video coverage - Sir Jong, thank you for taking me in and making me part of the team. You were the one who opened the doors for me in this industry we all love, and for that alone, I can never thank you enough. Your love for God is something we all strive for, and we are blessed to have you as our mentor, brother and friend. To Erron and the crazy peeps of Imagine Nation, you guys inspire us no end, and your friendship has touched our lives deeply. May you all touch more couples with your talents and love for God.

Special special mention goes to the Imagine Nation Prenup Dream Team! You guys ROCK :D

Cecilio Abad, for my suit and Loi's bridal gown - Tito Cecil, your talent knows no bounds. We never dreamed that we would be wearing your creations to our wedding, but God knew our prayers and He chose to answer them through your skillful hands. You and your team are a joy to work with, and we know that this is only the start of even greater things to come.

Jesy Alto and Raymond Ko for Loi's make up and hair - Jes, it is always a blast working with you, since you make everything look so effortless. More than this, your friendship is something we treasure, and we are excited to see just how far you will go in the years to come. Raymond, the energy and fun you brought to our wedding was a welcome treat, and your talent is at par with the best in the industry. Looking forward to having more weddings with you!

Karen Marek-Atendido for my sisters' make up - Karen, you are always a refreshing sight, both in and out of our weddings together. Your beauty, both without but more so within, is evidence of God's grace in your life. The talents you share with your couples are your way of sharing Jesus with others, and for this, we honor and admire you.

Jomel Razon for the hair and make-up of Loi's bridesmaids and relatives - Jomel, you have been a dear, dear friend to Loi and myself through all these years, and it is such a blessing to have you with us on our wedding day. Looking forward to sharing more milestones with you

Alex and Rosan Franco - The first time I tried one of your cakes, I knew that it was the cake I wanted to have at my wedding. Thank you for working with us to make that dream a reality. All our guests were raving about your cake, and they have every reason to do so! Simply the best!

Our Tita Lulu Sotto of L. Carlos Florists for our floral arrangements - Tita, thank you for your generosity and kindness. Your arrangements really added color and beauty to our wedding day. Loi loved her bouquet, just as you said she would! And I can see why!

Raphy Concepcion, for helping us with our first dance, and for the fire poi grand entrance - Bro, thank you for sharing your talents with us! Your routine was simply awesome, and everyone enjoyed watching it, including us!

Paolo Ella of Volvo Philippines for the design of our souvenir labels and Save the Date cards - Dude, your creativity is surpassed only by your patience, and if for this alone, we will always be grateful. Thanks for being a friend!

Ms. Edel Aquino of Dolmar Press Inc, Arby Andaya and Sam Lopez of Bighead - Your combined efforts in making our Save the Date cards and Passport Invitations are much-appreciated! Your fresh ideas and inputs made them uniquely and unmistakably ours!

Bel Surla of Savon La Belle for our "smooth" giveaways and wedding cord - Your ideas and suggestions came at just the right time! Thanks for being an angel!

And of course, Amanda Tirol of Boracay Weddings, for putting together all our crazy ideas and putting them all into one GREAT day - Mands, you were there when this whole Boracay idea started, and we are so blessed to have had you on board from Day 1. Your patience, candor and friendship were all more than we could ever ask for. Thanks so much for being our coordinator when you felt you needed to be one, and our friend when we needed you to be one.

To this day, we are still overwhelmed at just how many people set aside their time to be with us in Boracay. We are humbled and grateful with everything you have shared with us, from your presence to your presents, your time and talents, your love and support, your smiles, laughter and most especially, your prayers. God has blessed us beyond measure, from all the answered prayers, to the way things unfolded, to the love we felt from everyone who came. There are no words to describe how grateful we are, and so we lift all of you up in prayer that God may bless you abundantly for your kindness.

Here's to an exciting journey ahead! Looking forward to sharing more milestones with all of you :D