Afterall!

October was a hell of a ride.

I guess I have to start by saying that we almost fell apart.I was pushed to make a choice - and it was the most difficult choice I made.  

But prayers are powerful - we hang in there. God let us carry on. 

Its an everyday adjustment but God strengthened me. I made it.

Dramas didn't end there. We encountered the most difficult person so far. He who didn't recognize questions or reasons. He, who pushed us to our extreme and let us be eaten by the ground.. 

Amidst the chaos, we tried to be normal again.

Sir, the damaged you gave is far fetched, but we chose to forgive. 

Sometimes, I can't stand the thought of sharing even the same road or street with you. But I'll remain faithful that this too, will go away. We forgive ourselves from expecting from you and we forgive you, too.  Let's all be merry with our new beginnings. Can't wait to exchange smiles with you.

And oh, Thank you because I never appreciated peace like this before. 

Days went on and God has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light.. God is really Good!

He made use of Dominic Barrios' talent to renew our relationship when it was in our lowest. Who would have thought that pictures can give us that. The engagement  session we won from Dominic has been by far, one of the biggest blessing we received as a couple. It wasn't just the talent - but the time invested to us. I will forever be grateful for the blessing. 

Thank you Dominic!  I wish I can tell you how much it really meant. It wasn't just the pictures but you help us restore whatever was left to us.and we're really sorry we weren't thoughtful enough...You craft makes Him happy up there. I pray that God will continuously bless you and the craft that you do! 

To cap it all, Thank you Starbucks! ha ha I won too! woo hoo!

*rosing*

Wedding

It's been some time since I wrote an entry. This time it'll be for my wedding. It's set on January 18, 2014. I am super excited  - I can't sleep!

It's a Christian Wedding to be held in Top of the Citi, 34th Flr, Citi Bldg., Makati City.
(Sa ngayon yan palang ang sigurado. ha ha) I have changed the venue more than I can remember but rooftop wedding or maybe, Metro / Urban weddings holds a very special place in my heart. It reflects my personality very well - carefree.

Although admittedly, it's a pain to get lots of event styling ideas for this kind of wedding. It's seldom featured in the Philippines (can't get lots of ideas) so I have to marvel my way to read foreign blogs. Luckily,  I found one (just 1!) wedding before that was held in this place, and fell in love with it. Please see pictures here:  http://cargocollective.com/giveitashot/881737  From then, I am telling the universe how I am eager to have the same kind of wedding. 

Theme: Up in the clouds! I can already envision the palettes in dashes of blue, white, yellow, fuschia -ha, colorful vibes! 

I already shopped around for suppliers. But I started with the few chunks *those that will eat a relative high budget! haha 

Photos and Videos took the 3rd and 4th in my priority list right after the Venue and food. Weddings will not stay in your memory forever but photos and videos are your reminders of that day when you can't contain your excitement to start your happy ever after.

Photos: Imaginenation  http://imaginenationphoto.com/

Photogs in Imagenation are all good. Really, really good. I can say that I'm at peace even if I'll go for the Jr photographers. I know that they are being trained well. I like how Larry Leung http://imaginenationphoto.com/larryleong/ captures candid events combining it with the sentimental one's. He's an architect too, he, among others will have the best idea how to capture a rooftop wedding while highlighting the good points of the place. As to date, he's still available. (yey!)

Videographer: Reflective Chemistry http://www.reflectivechemistry.com/

For an incredibly low priced service - wow! They are new to the industry (atleast for the video)  but already worked out a few works which are plausible to us. I am very excited to get our SDE's done! :)

to dos:
Gowns + Suite
HMUA
Music
Stylist
Favors
Cake *got few recommendations already will work it out!

Can't remember pa the things needed but will update!

R

Pauline's Birthday Party and Baptism

A few hours after we traveled from Makati, we again have to prepare at 6:00am to travel from Pampanga to Pasay. haha

Please see full event here. It's undeniably fun. I enjoyed seeing old and new faces. It's indeed a celebration of  life after all. :)

Pauline's Christening and 1st Birthday Celebration - Preparation

Time flies.

My daughter turned 1 last 11/2 and celebrated it on 11/11. We formally welcome her to the Christian world at the same time.


Planning is not easy, especially if we need to travel miles before we can I arrive at the church. First choice is to hold it in St. Andrews Church in Makati.

Requirement breakdown is as follows:

P1000 - private baptism
P50/sponsor
Birth Certificate
Marriage Contract (if parents are married)
Parish Permit

It shouldn't be difficult though - but getting a venue in Makati is a pain. It's pricey.

I have 3 venue choices.

1. Aberdeen Court in Makati Ave.

It one of the cheapest you'll ever find. Then again, Corkage fees will kill you, big time.



2. WSI - Multipurpose hall.

I have to say that Mai (consultant) is very accomodating but the total cost of getting their venue is already tantamount to xxx number of food  :(

See breakdown as follows:


Venue Rental Rate :
P8,000.00 X 1 day = P8,000.00
Total Venue Rental Fee:
P8,000.00 + 12% VAT =
P8,960.00NETT

Ingress Fee: waived for 2hrs

Electricity Fee:
P1,000.00 X 1 day = P1,000.00
Total Electricity Fee: P1,000.00 + 12%VAT = P1,120.00NETT

OT Fee:
P2,000.00 X 1 day = P2,000.00
Total OT Fee: P2,000.00+12%VAT = P2,240.00NETT

TOTAL PACKAGE RATE :P12,320.00NETT


3. I checked w/ Riccorenzo Cafe in Makati Ave.
    The venue rental is P8,000 for 4hours + 1hr Ingress and Egress.
    No corkage for other food/caterers.

So yes, I have to move on and get a different one.

I considered changing the entire plan 2 weeks before the target date, haha

I read about a blog about baptism and considered holding Pauline's there too.

Finally, I've set everything on 10/31 - traveled from CSFP to New Port Blvd in Pasay to register for Pauline's Baptismal in St Therese, New port, Pasay. The church is beautiful, really beautiful. It's worth the travel.

Same requirements.

Parish Permit - I secured one in Don Bosco Parish (Arnaiz, Makati City), then paid 100 pesos for donation.
Birth Certificate -
P500 registration fee
and P50/sponsor.

On the same day, we looked for a reception since St Therese hall is no longer for rent. We first dropped by in Kenny Rogers.

P4000 - Party fee
plus P230/head food.


Shakey's is no longer available on 11/11.
Savory can't cater for 80pax.

We also considered doing it in Game Zoo, New port Mall.

5000- venue rental
7500 - required purchase for game zoo card for only 25pax (including 6d seats for 25 pax)
1000- corkage for any other svc (ie. clowns, cakes, photobooth)

They would allow catering from the hotel only, it's unexpectedly affordable but you must expect small servings as it is for a kiddie party. The price ranges from 150 - 250php. Also, it doesn't include other amenities (ie balloons, games, MC) If one consider to get those, they can recommend getting the svcs from Mcdonald's or Shakey's. Shakey's is already fully booked so yes, the only choice is Mcdonald's. I wasn't able to book the place bec the manager isn't available. I spoke to her some days after and decided to book the place.

I have to decline a few hours (less than 24hrs) before the party because food is a required purchase to get the party amenities from Mcdonald's plus the ticket charges is a pain too. I may save it for next time once Pauline already has friends to invite for her birthday.

I have to change the venue from Game Zoo to Kenny Rogers. (Let's talk about cramming) Off we went to Kenny's Newport. I meant we, with Pauline. haha (I tag her along as she doesn't have anything to wear yet for the event on the next day. I have a very limited clothing choice in Pampanga so we still have to go in the metro to find her a good one.)

Thank you God for a very accommodating manager. He fixed everything but unable to produce a host, w/c is expected. I have friends to back me up anyway so yes, I accepted it.

So we gave him our down payment then went straight to Chili's,GB5 for my boss' bday party. A few hours after, we decided to go and look for Pauline's clothes. Thank you God for Gingersnaps. I found everything there.

I forgot to mention that I hired someone to take our pictures. I am very satisfied on her works. Please see her sample works here. http://jamasalonga.wordpress.com/