Keep Calm and Be Married

Many brides say that their wedding was just a blur. To us, it's as vivid as the blue sky when the heavens decided to smile down on us with a good weather. I can still feel the excitement, the many greetings and the small glitches that hounded us even at the last minute. There's always a backstage drama.

Let me walk you through.

Wedding Ceremony -- Garden Gazebo, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao

"There will be times when your flame gets extinguished," says Pastor Alvin "but you have to remember that you need to work together to keep it burning."

Lighting the unity candle (with a message that went beyond the ritual)

I shall never forget what the Unity Candle stands for. Our friends and family got acquainted with what the candle really symbolizes in a married couple's relationship. Thank you, Pastor Alvin for truly making our ceremony meaningful, not just to us, but to our guests as well.

Garden ceremony x beach side. (Thank you, Bonna for translating my vision into this beautiful setup)

The bible. A marriage should be anchored on God's word.

I promised myself that I will not cry on my wedding day. Almost did on my my walk down the aisle. And really shed some tears on our thank you speech.  

The violinist texted me early in the morning with this message: Please walk as slowly as possible. Make it the longest walk of your life. (Cute)

More bubbles, please.

Tales at the reception. 

We kept everything minimal and small -- the guest list, the decors and the program. Just the way we liked it. We hoped that our wedding be remembered not because of the ostentatious decorations but of its intimate ambiance, camaraderie and love permeating the air. 

My friend and florist, Bonna.

Thank you to my "childhood" friend, Bonna whom I've known since I was a naive college freshman and just plucked from the barrio. On a short notice, she stepped to the plate of being my host, florist, decorator, driver and friend extraordinaire.

Our host and my makeup artist, Erika -- a colleague and a friend did an incredible job. Because I wanted our wedding to be really personal to us and our guests, on top of being the bride I was also the over-all chairman of our event. I wrote the script. And I wrote from the heart peppering it with anecdotes from years back and sharing the overwhelming generosity of time, talent and resources of everyone present. 

Make-up artist and host. Incredible feat; incredible friend.

After 'I do' tender moment I shared with my ex-boyfriend.

A long time ago, I've already decided that when the day comes that I'll become a bride, I will have calla lilies on my big day. I fell in love with them. They're unpretentious. They're elegant. My friend and sponsor, Berna flew in 80 dozens of them from Baguio. Flying them in had some glitches from the airline but in the greater scheme of things, it was nothing. 

Callas, candle lanterns and million dollar flowers. So, pinteresting!

Thank you, Sette for the cake.

 The cake was just a few details short of how I intended it to be. Still, it’s simply pretty and scrumptious, too.

Red velvet cake underneath the white ruffle design.

our personalized cake cutter

Thank you, Abby for singing Norah Jones' Come Away With Me. Even jamming with the pianist.

In the flurry of things, I haven't really seen or tasted the food served. But I got rave reviews from family and friends. Our photographer managed to snap a picture of the desserts. 

 
Davao is also famous for its lechon. So my matron of honor and dearest friend, Jinggay gifted us with one whole roasted pig. 

With my matron of honor Jinggay and hubby Buddy. Thanks for the lechon, dearie!

The speeches given were nothing short of exceptional. They were very personal and spoken with optimism, wisdom and love. 

Chris led the toast. I love that it was unconventional. It wasn't all about underhanded comments but a pragmatic reminder that as a couple -- it's all about being a 'WE' and less of I and You. And that the day marked the beginning of a TEAM. Thanks, Chris. In moments of absolute brattiness, I only need to pause and remind myself of the day, I raised my glass in your toast.

My dear friend & sponsor Berna, my Proverbs 31 woman and on being "not always insisting to be right" for a marriage to work.

Miguel on change and leadership, at home.

Family and friends flew in from Manila and Cebu. Those who were abroad gave their love in advance. Our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have given us so much of your time and resources. 

a bit of fun. look at my girlfriends still looking very poised

Sneak peak on the pre-ceremony preps:

I believe it’s customary to document the littlest of things that are part of the wedding celebration. So, these were given artistic attention by our very reliable photographer and videographer from the Davao team of Lito Sy studio.

If you will notice, every detail of our wedding has branding; a nuance coming from a creative hubby.

the invite.

sponsor's giveaway

for the secondary sponsors

every guest went home with this

My throwaway bouquet (as created by Bonna)

my pretty shoes. thank you friends for pledging.

my groom looking dapper in his custom suit

They say that weddings are memorable. I say, ours is truly awesome. We made it an affair for us and the family and friends who were there. 

We sealed our union with a fervent prayer that God will always be at the center of our marriage. And that we grow as a couple in His love and grace.

Family and friends, cheers! And thank you for making our big day an awesome celebration. Thanks too for live tweeting. Our friends who couldn't come felt they were present because of you. 

P.S. The barrio girl is now a missus. And loving it.

Down South

I feel nostalgic whenever I am back home. Or to be more apt in the city, I claim as mine. Truthfully, though I was never a city girl. I grew up in the most laid-back province, right in the heart of a banana plantation. Nothing could be as provincial as the life we lived in our hometown. 

But I studied in the city. So, I have grown an affinity to this southern belle. Back in the old days, we only had jeepneys and minicabs plying the wide roads. Now that progress has crept in, the roads seem narrower. And there are air-conditioned taxicabs roaming the city, nowadays. A far cry from the old days.

We used to hangout in Victoria Plaza. It was then the coolest place to meet. There was no mobile phone then, so we'd meet across McDonald's inside this mall. We'd wait for hours and hours when one of our friends decide to be very (un-)fashionably late. Today, the mall has become home of bargain items from China. It has lost its glamour. But the memory still lingers.

Friday nights are gimmick nights. We'd all converge at Zed Pizza to enjoy acoustic music, popcorn and the best tasting iced tea, ever. I don't know if it's still true these days. Our taste buds must have become more sophisticated. But this local pizza joint is still standing, after so many decades. It must have retained its magic to cash-strapped college students and young professionals who want a good time that doesn't a burn a hole in the pocket.

It's been over a decade that I have not claimed a residency status in Davao. But every so often, I get to visit my city. Aside from the usual Christmas Holidays, work takes me back here on business trips, frequently. 

So, I count myself lucky that I get to see the city's progress. I feel giddy when I see a new building rising in the very sparse horizon of the city. It's because I know that it means more job opportunities for my kababayans. 

And as much as possible, I shop when am here. It helps (hopefully) turn the wheels of the economy. I dine local, I buy local. 

Am a big coffee drinker. For a long time, I'd go out of my way to go to a local coffee joint. I'd drink durian coffee even if what I'd really love to enjoy is a cup of espresso. 

Things changed though when Abreeza, an Ayala Mall opened its doors to the Davao locals. It brought with it Manila-based shops and restaurants. And other international franchises. 

Inasmuch as I'd want a Blue Gre experience, I need my Starbucks fix. I think this is one of those few "vices" I have that's almost a non-negotiable. I go out of my way to sip my cuppa here and read a few chapters as I while away the time. Or just like tonight, write a blog while having a lovely chat with a friend. 

Times have changed. And it's a nice thing going. One thing that's welcome though is a respite from the noise of Manila. Because no matter how developments have sprouted in its landscape, the city will always retain it's laid-back vibe. 

XX

Sheng

Revisiting Davao

“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to” ~ John Ed Pearce

When I was younger, I was in a hurry to leave my home, my town, my city. I couldn't wait to get out. Someone once told me when I was a young kid that I would go places. I didn't realize then that it would happen, literally. 

My work assignments have allowed me to reach distant provinces, well-hidden towns and little heard of barrios. And so I revel in the thought that I am able to expand my horizon and get to know the places that I might choose to settle into. 

Yet, oftentimes, I catch myself pining for home. And I have become an ambassador of sorts to friends and acquaintances who think of Davao as an exotic destination. The pull to explore it is great but they're just afraid that they might not be back alive. So, I made it my personal mission to introduce them to the city of my birth. How else? But through a personal experience of the sights, sounds and taste that are distinctly Dabawenyo. 

Recently, I toured some local and foreign friends... albeit, on a very limited time. (I was on official visit.) See what awaits you in Davao, click here.

Welcome to Davao!

One of the places that you can easily access even at night are really worth seeing.

Jack's Ridge 

Its beautiful amphitheater.

And I believe Davao did not disappoint them. Just look at their happy faces.

Can't resist the little lumad sculptures. 

a view of the city at night

Hello Eden!

A beautiful spot in Eden Resort.

 

Samal Island. A mere 15-minute boat ride from the city.

The patio that leads to a modest-size pool. 

the steps that lead to the casitas on the upper level.

On a nearby resort, Paradise Island, you can even enjoy a relaxing massage by the shore. Beautiful massage huts are lined up. And this side of the resort's beach area is exclusively dedicated as its massage area.

Your view while enjoying a relaxing therapy.

Flying to Davao is the easiest route to take to get to this southern city of Mindanao. There are several airlines to choose from such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines and even Zest Air. With the advent of many players in the aviation industry, fare has become cheaper than it used to. Now, you can get a round-trip ticket for a fraction of the fare in yesteryears. 

Accommodation likewise is easy. There are small hotels to cater to budget travelers, business hotels for executives and resorts for families on vacation. One of the most notable hotel in Davao is the Marco Polo. Rates are affordable and the location is very convenient. 

The Marco Polo Davao Hotel. To know more, click here.

  















Madayaw Dabaw!