Marie is my “small-but-terrible” good friend from college. And Javi or Sir Gamboa was our very serious “Spanish import” Chemistry professor back then. Fast forward 12 years (or is it 13?), we all meet again, this time not anymore in UA&P campus, but in Bohol, Marie’s hometown, in the beautiful Dauis Church.
Thank you, Facebook’s Friend Finder app! From being single and “it’s complicated” at times, Javi and Marie has become friends, liked, been in a relationship, and are now married to each other.
Dauis Church is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the Philippines
Calla lilies, my favorite flower
The happy and excited groom with his parents
Ninong and “Ninang” Tine standing in
Sean showing daddy Floyd the proper ring-bearing moves, and
mommy Heilyn capturing every parent’s proudest moment
Tan-tan-ta-tan…
Awww, Javi…
The beautiful bride and her parents
The look of love
The sealing of vows
(photo grabbed from Miguel)
And the MOST awaited part…
The KISS…
WHAT?!?! WTH?!?!?! WHAT’S UP WITH THE FAN?!?!?!?!?!
(photo grabbed from Miguel)
After the censored you-may-now-kiss-the-bride, all of us gather for cocktails at the back of the church.
on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon
with such a picturesque backdrop
FOOD!!! Tuna and toasts
Spring rolls and Spanish ham (but of course!)
Where there’s food, there’s us! Karl, Jodie, Alex, Me, Tine
A light and short shower of rain (this means good luck in Chinese culture), a tour of an old Spanish building, refreshing drinks of iced tea at Cafe Lawis, and the doors to the garden dinner reception open.
Soooo romantic!
The principal table
The centerpiece
The wedding cupcake tower from Sweet Stuff by Jill
The radiant bride and the amazing Veluz wedding gown
And, drumroll, please, the food!
Caramelized onion soup with pork dumpling
Petite Mesclun tossed in lychee vinaigrette with fresh fruits and
roasted cashew nuts
Seared codfish over bokchoy and basil ravioli with fish roe, cherry tomatoes and white cheese
Puree of mixed citrus with honey laced with mint
Slow roast pork belly humba style, served with gingered rice, pea sprouts
and shitake mushrooms
Chocolate roll with vanilla ice cream from Sweet Stuff by Jill
With Mr. & Mrs. Javier Gamboa
My favorite part of the night (ok, it’s a tie with the eating), is the lighting
and flying of the paper lanterns
It is so romantic and enchanting, I think it’s everybody’s favorite, too.
Up, up and away
Javi and Marie, your wedding is truly one of the most beautiful I have witnessed.
Well, except for the wedding kiss boo-boo. He he :P
Congratulations, you lovebirds!
After-party back at the Bohol Beach Club
(Don’t worry, we didn’t make Javi wait too long)
Dauis Church: Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
