Wedding bells a’ringin’!

As June brides walk down the aisle for this “wedding month” of June, I’m sure wedding coordinators, photographers, caterers, singers, flower arrangers, and wedding venues are all fully-booked serving their respective clients. Though June is the most popular wedding month, I personally haven’t attended a wedding on June. I’ve gone to weddings on a December (another peak month for weddings), summer, even on the rainy months of September and October. But regardless of the month, weddings will always be a special occasion for me. You could say that I’ve always been the bridesmaid but not the bride, even so, I’m giddy preparing and participating in a friend’s wedding. It also makes me daydream on how my own wedding will be… ;)

One of the most memorable for me so far were the last two where I was one of the back-up photographers. What’s more, they are destination weddings of two of my good friends.

Cai and Nowell: A Beautiful Wedding in Boracay

On the wedding day itself, my friends and I woke up that morning seeing dark clouds hovering over us. You know how unpredictable the weather can be in the month of September. Being lovers of the clear warm waters of Boracay, we went swimming in the beach and in a little while, it started pouring!

It went on for about 15 to 30 minutes. And just like that, there was like a spotlight over us. Heaven started opening up and the skies cleared up. It was a beautiful day indeed!

Some of us can't get over swimming. We just love the waters! By noontime, we saw the main photographer taking photos of Cai's wedding dress in front of Discovery Shores. I took my own camera and started taking shots as well...

WOW!!! Who would've thought that was just created in less than a week?!

By 4:30 pm, people started coming in, removing their sandals, taking pictures, anticipating for the ceremony. After several minutes, Cai finally walked down the aisle.






Just seeing her made me teary-eyed... (To think that she was still sick the night before...) God makes all things beautiful in His time. :)







I witnessed a simple yet beautiful wedding, with the Boracay sunset as its backdrop. :)


Kristine and Tim: A Wedding Made in Singapore

I had the privilege of shooting Kristine while she was preparing for her wedding. I was in her Hilton hotel room at a little past 12 noon and it was my first time to commute to Orchard Rd. in Singapore. (Tim was in a different venue, I couldn't take pictures of him).








I also got to ride her *huge* Chrysler bridal car in the passenger seat. "Libs, kinakabahan talaga ako (I'm really nervous)," she told me. "Ano ka ba, 'wag ka nerbyosin! (Don't be nervous!)" I said while I was shooting her. She thought that something could happen in her wedding like those you watch in America's Funniest Videos. So that's how a bride feels like... :P




By 5:00pm (or so, I lost track of time), the wedding ceremony started in St. Theresa and I heard one of the most sincerest vows. I got teary-eyed actually but I had to continue to capture those moments in camera.




After church, we got back to Hilton immediately, this time for the tea ceremony. I appreciate this special moment because their family and loved ones were personally saying their well-wishes and bilins to the couple as they ceremonially drank tea.


Reception came, we were then in the Hilton rooftop (nice view of the city outside!). I was so looking forward to the Chinese menu! They danced, they sang (Cruisin'! -- That's our fave videoke duet song!), they did their speech. I'm so happy for my friend Kristine. She's blessed with good siblings and a loving father, and now, she has very wonderful in-laws. And the best part is, she has Tim.




What makes these weddings special is not just the location or whatever bells and whistles it has. It’s the sincerity and the promise it brings that day and everyday. Everything is worth the wait. :)

My Own Version of Eat. Pray. Love. -- in Boracay

In Liz Gilbert's memoir of her life, Eat. Pray. Love., she writes about her trips across the world in search for everything... Though she supposedly has everything a woman would want and dream of -- a husband, a house, a successful career -- still, she found herself lost and in search for what she really wanted in life. She ate in various restaurants and enjoyed life in Italy (Eat). She found her spirituality in India (Pray). And finally, she met her true love in Bali, Indonesia (Love).

I could totally relate with her story because almost a year ago, I was in the same page as hers. I was confused, in the middle of a crossroad, just hanging by a thread. Looking back, I thank God for getting me out of that brink of giving up. I'm now slowly discovering who I am and what my purpose is as He continues to guide me along the way.

But that's a whole another story right there. I could also write a book and perhaps won't finish because I'm always a work in progress...

It's in my recent trip to Boracay where I can say I experienced these three verbs to the full.

I ate. I prayed. I loved.

EAT

I've been trying to limit my food intake before I went off to Boracay (who wouldn't want to be beach-body ready?). But surely when I got there, I didn't want to control myself eating since I want to enjoy the different types of food the beach has to offer. From the simple hamburger joint or inasal chicken in D*Mall, or fresh seafood in the D*Talipapa to the finest restaurants in the triple A resorts of Boracay, you are sure to find something that you would like to eat. Station 2 has always been a staple where you can find most of the restaurants, bars, and establishments. We just diligently walked there even if we were booked in Station 1. If beach laziness hits, one could always take a trike on the way back to your place.

There's always a few hits and miss in Bora's restos though. I ordered a "bolognese" in this resto in front of a resort (the food was so bad, I forgot the name--and I didn't take a picture). When the pasta came, I was surprised to see that it was like a spaghetti from a typical Filipino children's party.

I also had experienced seafood allergy in one of the paluto in D*Talipapa. I guess I was too confident that I didn't have shrimp allergies anymore. Combine that with bad ventilation inside on a hot afternoon lunch. Note to self: always bring an anti-histamine.

I felt sad when I found that our favorite fruit shake in town (and only the best) Jonah's, was already located on the roadside and no longer by the beach. I can't blame them since the cost of rent beside the beach was rising.

Sipping fruit shake by the roadside just isn't the same...

It's in Mañana in Station 2 where I got really satisfied with their real Mexican food. Finally, I found what I was craving for...

Quesadillas favorite.

Burritos another favorite.

Top it off with their banana shake, which can be good for two.

PRAY

Nothing beats starting the day at the beach by praying, having quiet time with God, then capping it off with a good jog.

My friends having their alone moments.

And it's in those long walks alone that you can find sights such as this.

My friends and I have been looking forward to this trip since early this year because we're attending our dear friend's ultimate beach wedding. A week before the big day, there was a major glitch on the bride's wedding gown. Then a day before, we found out that she was still feeling sick. On that morning, we woke up seeing dark clouds hovering over us. And, by mid-morning, we went swimming in the beach and it started raining! Even with those series of unfortunate events, we have been continuously praying and having faith that God is on the move, up to the day we've all been waiting for.

We just thanked God for the shower of blessings. After an hour, there was like a spotlight over us as heaven started opening up and the skies clearing up. A big sigh of relief.

It was God and with our prayers who made all things work together for good. It was indeed a beautiful day!

LOVE

No, I didn't exactly fall in love. I felt the looove in Discovery Shores, Boracay. Just witnessing this wedding and hearing the couple's vows put tears to my eyes because I saw how genuine their love is for each other and how God blesses two people who make Him the center of their relationship.

I loved? Oh yes I did. I loved my friends even more with all the adventures we've shared in Boracay (Zorb balls, Zipline, sharing a big family room, eating breakfast in a veranda, late night games and more) . I loved the quirkiness (or OC-ness?) we've discovered of each other. I loved God even more because I know He also has a love story He's writing for me.

* * *

You don't have to search and travel the world to find these three. Everyday, right where you are, you can always eat and savor life, pray, and love.

New Things To Do in Boracay

Everyone just has to book a flight to Boracay at any point of the year. Whether it’s summer or Christmas, or any long weekend, for sure, beach nomads will plan something in that beach. Cross fingers, hope it just won’t rain so you can get a great tan.

Why does everyone feel like it’s a must to back there where it’s always the same fine white sand, crystal blue waters, orange sunset, colorful boats, same beach party scene? ‘Cause there’s always something new to do there each time you back. Here are some things you could try on your next trip:

1. Organize a retreat in Bora. And why not? Even if there are temptations all around, I think it’s the ultimate place where you’d be able to test and practice your self-control. Haha! Kidding aside, it’s the best place to wake up early each morning, walk by the beach, lay your sarong, grab your Bible, reflect on your life and pray. You’ll realize it’s good to be alive and God’s been so good.

2. Get a caffeine fix in Starbucks Boracay. When I first saw this, I was like, “What? There’s Starbucks here? Kulang nalang McDo.” In fairness, they remembered all the coffee addicts who flocked to this beach and all the party people who want to get sober after getting drunk. Besides, it’s an alternative to the Jonah’s fruit shake – a cold mocha frapuccino instead while chillaxing and having a good conversation with friends or even while sunbathing.

3. Get a bird’s eye view of the beach while parasailing. That is, if you aren’t afraid of heights and if you aren’t afraid of the thought that a knot is just holding you. Plus, you get to party like a rockstar while in the “yacht” (they have nice sounds when we were waiting for our turn). Peak rates during summer? Php 2500 for 10 mins. Non-peak? We were able to negotiate up to Php 800.

4. Ride the Zorb ball! It’s crazy! You roll down a hill inside a giant plastic ball for a good 30 seconds. There are two kinds of Zorbs you can try: First is the Harness ride where they strap you in the sides of the ball and you roll head over heels (your head will spin, I tell you). The other is the Hydro where they add water inside the ball, then you ride down the hill (you’ll laugh ‘til you cry). Prices range from Php 300-580 per person and is located in Yapak. You can rent a tricycle going there.

5. Go hotel hopping with friends. Didn't book in Station One five-star hotels? You can always hang out there at least. Order a cold drink in Two Seasons. Go around and “canvass” in Boracay Regency or Discovery Shores. You can say you stayed there… in pictures, at least. ;)

6. Meet new friends. Who knows you might finally meet your Mr. or Ms. Right. But you can always settle first with Mr. Cute Pet. Then sparks fly. J

7. Play with fire with fire dance people. Kids, don’t try this at home. But even if you don’t have the "fire twirling", "fire spinning" skills, it’s always nice to watch the experts’ performance while sipping a cold mojito in the couch by the beach at night.

8. Paraw sailing towards the sunset. Aaahh… How romantic. Just play it by ear though. It’s not safe to do so especially if it’s windy.

9. Jumpshot as always and other crazy ideas. Your Boracay trip isn’t complete without The Jumpshot (then posting it to your profile). It’s like telling the whole world, “Yey! I’m in Bora!”, “Yey! I got a tan!”, “Yey! I just got engaged!” Then you could always try other silly shots by the beach.

10. Take amazing photos of the sunset. I think I have this obsession about sunsets already and I never get tired of it. It’s just the most beautiful thing God created. After a much-hypedManila Bay sunset, you should always get a glimpse (and a shot) of the orange-filled dusk sky of Boracay.

Sweet sailing in Boracay, world!