January 30, 2009

Photographers Head to Vegas for WPPI Trade Show and Edu-Convention


Hundreds of wedding and portrait photographers from all over the world will convene at the MGM Grand Hotel and Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) EDU Convention on February 12-19, 2009 in conjunction with the WPPI 2009 Trade Show on February 14-19, 2009.

The annual WPPI Convention & Trade Show, the wedding photography industry's premier expo and educational conference, features a variety of events, exhibits, presentations and workshops showcasing the world's top wedding, portrait, commercial, lifestyle-social and fine art photographers, retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. This year, over 130 different classes, workshops and seminars, headed by world-renowned photographers in the industry will be offered. Furthermore, almost 300 companies will present their latest products and services for the Trade Show.

On February 15, golf enthusiasts can join the WPPI 2009 15th Annual Golf Tournament to be held at the Desert Pines Golf Club in Las Vegas. In the evening, the official opening of WPPI 2009 will happen at the WPPI & Canon Wedding and Welcome Reception. The reception will have a completely staged wedding, photographed by photography legends Joe Buissink, Bambi Cantrell, Jerry Ghionis, Denis Reggie and Yervant.

The winners of the 2009 WPPI Awards of Excellence Print and Album Competition along with the four winners of the 8 x 10 International Prints of the Year Competition will be announced during the WPPI and Kodak Awards Reception on February 18, 2009.

For inquiries and to register online, visit http://www.wppionline.com/

The WPPI Convention & Trade Show is held in association with Rangefinder Publishing and AfterCapture Magazines and sponsored by Canon, Kodak, Miller's Professional Imaging, Nikon, Epson, White House Custom Color (WHCC), FujiFilm, B & H Foto & Electronics Corp., Bayphoto.com, AsukaBook, Adobe, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics – Photo Imaging, Graphistudio, Lexjet, Hewlett – Packard, H&H Color Labs, Simply Canvas, American Color Imaging (ACI) Photo Lab, ImageQuix, Adorama, Doug Gordon Workshops, SLIK, Tokina, OnOne Software, Zookbinders, Photodex Corp., Black River Imaging, LiveBooks, MAC Groups, Profoto, Lensbaby, Backgrounds by Maheu, Pounds Photographic Labs, Inc., Calumet Photographic, Power Consulting, Burrell Color Imaging, Clickbooq, Datacolor, Eventpix.com, Denny Mfg. Co., Inc., Tamrac, Natural Color Lab, X-Rite, Pictage, Inc., Marathon Press Inc., LustreColor Inc., Colorati, Photo Biz, LLC, GP Albums, and Blossom Publishing.

January 16, 2009

Celebrity Weddings of 2008


Last year, several celebrity couples have decided to tie the knot and begin a new chapter of their lives with their loved ones. Their love stories and wedding highlights unfolded before our eyes through showbiz talk shows on television and radio and entertainment columns of newspapers. As we finally bid goodbye to 2008, Kasal.com recalls this year’s notable celebrity weddings.

Hans Montenegro and Marilen Faustino
Wedding Date: January 5, 2008

Models Hans Montenegro and Marile Faustino exchanged vows at the Ocean Pavilion in Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa in a tiffany blue and celadon green motif. According to several sources, attendants during the wedding were all moved to tears because of the heartfelt speeches and overflowing love of the couple for one another.

Michael Fernandez and Maybelyn dela Cruz
Wedding Date: January 18, 2008

Former teen star Maybelyn dela Cruz and Dagupan City Councilor Michael Fernandez said their “I do’s” at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion (Manila Cathedral) last January. Government officials and celebrities were present during their nuptial.

Maverick Relova and Charisse Utuanis
Wedding date: January 28, 2008

One half of the famed Ariel and Maverick comic tandem, Maverick Relova, is now married to his girlfriend of ten (10) years Charisse Utuanis. During the wedding, his comic partner Ariel Villasanta served as one of the groomsmen and long-time friend Kempee de Leon was his Best Man. Sticking to his signature get-up, Maverick wore oversized sunglasses and bling-blings (flashy elaborate jewelry) during the ceremony held at the Conservatory of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.

Rene, “RJ” Ledesma Jr. and Vanessa Pastor
Wedding Date: March 7, 2008

Comedic host and Manual Magazine’s editor-in-chief RJ Ledesma, married Vanessa Pastor, a law office legal associate last March 7 at the Sanctuario de San Antonio in Makati City. RJ vividly shared their wedding preparations in his column in The Philippine Star, Pogi from a Parallel Universe. Their reception, held at the NBC Tent, was filled with their close friends and guests, including former President Joseph Estrada and wife Senator Loi Estrada.

Vince Rodriguez and Nina Corpus
Wedding Date: May 20, 2008

ABS-CBN News reporter and DZMM 630kHZ anchor Nina Corpuz and Studio 23 News Manager Vince Rodriguez said their “I do’s” at the Eglise St. Severin in Paris, France - the City of Lights. According to the new Mrs. Nina Rodriguez, it was the realization of her dream wedding. What seemed to be impossible for Vince and Nina became a reality through the help of some friends and family members who assisted them in finding the church, reception venue, and wedding suppliers.

Vince del Rosario and Inah Revilla
Wedding Date: May 28, 2008

Young couple 23-year old Vince del Rosario and 18-year old Inah Revilla, daughter of actor-turned-politician Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and actress Lani Mercado, tied the knot at the Manila Cathedral last May. The ceremony and reception, held at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel was filled with notable personalities in the business, showbiz, and government sector.

Jude Estrada and Rowena Ocampo
Wedding Date: June 2, 2008

Jude Estrada, the youngest son of former President Joseph Estrada married his childhood sweetheart, Ma. Rowena Ocampo, at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City. Though Jude wanted the ceremony to be as private as possible, the wedding was attended by several known personalities in showbiz and politics like Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Manny Villar, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Susan Roces, Boots Anson-Roa, and Eddie Garcia. The wedding was scheduled on his mother’s, Senator Loi Estrada, birthday.

Emilio Aguinaldo IV and Bernadette Sembrano
Wedding Date: June 12, 2008

ABS-CBN News anchor Bernadette Sembrano said her loving vows to Emilio “Orange” Aguinaldo IV, Vice Mayor of Kawit, Cavite and grandson of revolutionary hero and Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo at the Chapel on the Hill in Nasugbu, Batangas. The two met during Sembrano’s coverage of the Independence Day celebration back in 2006. They met again in 2007 and their love story began from then on. Tears flowed during the ceremony as the two declare their love for each other during their recitation of their wedding vows.

Jiggy Manicad and Marnie Pulumbarit
Wedding Date: July 5, 2008

Jiggy Manicad, GMA-7 News reporter and Marnie Pulumbarit, GMA-7 writer, news program director, and producer, said their sweet “I do’s” at the Christ the King Parish in Quezon City. Carrying a Chot-nut and Coffee theme, the wedding was attended by close friends and colleagues in the business who witnessed the love story of the two media personalities.

Paul Eli Egbalic and Joyce Jimenez
Wedding Date: August 23, 2008

Paul Eli Egbalic married his long-time girlfriend, sexy actress Joyce Jimenez, last August in San Lorenzo Luiz Church in Walnut, California. The two, who met each other in 2005, decided to hold their wedding in the US since most of their family members are based in the States.

Doug Kramer and Cheska Garcia
Wedding Date: October 9, 2008

Philippine Basketball Association player Doug Kramer and his long-time girlfriend Cheska Garcia tied the knot at The Blue Leaf - Events Pavilion in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City with a modern Spanish- themed setting using royal blue, periwinkle, and salmon pink as color motif. Around 400 guests composed of family members, friends from showbiz, and basketball celebrities attended their nuptial.

Evangelina Lourdes ‘Luli’ Macapagal-Arroyo and J. Aloysius ‘Luigi’ Bernas
Wedding Date: November 5, 2008

Presidential Daughter Luli Arroyo and Luigi Bernas were wed at the St. Scholastica’s Convent in Tagaytay City behind media eyes. Only after were the media informed that the low profiled Arroyo has tied the knot with the former director of Ayala Foundation.

Donald Geisler and Jennifer Da Silva
Wedding Date: December 21, 2008

Two former Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Season 2 Housemates, Donald Geisler and Jennifer Da Silva had their simple private nuptial last December in Las Piñas City. Donald, brother of actor Baron Geisler, is a five-time Southeast Asian Games Gold medalist for Taekwondo while Jennifer is one of the 26K Girls of the game show, “Kapamilya: Deal or No Deal.”


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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:


Lo, Ricardo, The Philippine Star. 2008 marked by Bombshells Baby Boom and Break-ups (Posted December 28, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=427367

Bautista, Mario, Journal Online. Wedding, births and deaths (Posted December 20, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-12-30&sec=3&aid=81651

Metro Weddings issue (Vol. 8 No. 2) Real Weddings section

Montenegro, Hans and Marilen Montenegro Multiply account. Hans and Marilen wedding. (Posted January 11, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://marilenfaustino.multiply.com/journal/item/3

Seguia, Glaiza, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Tears flowed at Inah Revilla – Vince del Rosario Wedding. (Posted May 29, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/16114/Tears-flowed-at-Inah-Revilla-Vince-del-Rosario-wedding

Mendoza, Ruel, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Comedian Maverick Relova weds longtime girlfriend Charisse (Posted January 29, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/15171/Comedian-Maverick-Relova-weds-longtime-girlfriend-Charisse

Erece, Dino, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Former teen star Maybelyn dela Cruz weds non-showbiz boyfriend on January 18 (Posted January 11, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/14966/Former-teen-star-Maybelyn-dela-Cruz-weds-non-showbiz-boyfriend-on-January-18

Seguia, Glaiza, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Jude Estrada married childhood sweetheart. (Posted June 3, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/16148/Jude-Estrada-marries-his-childhood-sweetheart

Bonifacio, Julie, Philippine Entertainment Portal. A Tale of two weddings: Bernadette Sembrano's Independence Day wedding and Nina Corpus's Parisian Nuptial (Posted June 30, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/16448/A-tale-of-two-weddings:-Bernadette-Sembrano%27s-Independence-Day-wedding-and-Nina-Corpus%27s-Parisian-nuptial

Salagna, Elyas Isabelo, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Sexy Actress Joyce Jimenez marries Fil-Am boyfriend in California (Posted August 24, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/16940/Sexy-actress-Joyce-Jimenez-marries-Fil-Am-boyfriend-in-California

Pagsolingan, Karen, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Cheska Garcia and Doug Kramer: Promises fulfilled in October (Posted October 30, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/17282/Cheska-Garcia-and-Doug-Kramer:-Promises-fulfilled-in-October

Lo, Ricardo, The Philippine Star. A dream wedding in the City of Lights (Posted May 16, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=62518

ABS-CBN Kapamilya Afficionado Blog. Niña Corpuz wedding in The City of Lights (Posted July 3, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
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Ledesma, Rene Jr. Joey’s still got his fizz and a Royal Wedding (Posted November 4, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
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Carvajal, Nancy, Philippine Daily Inquirer. Jude Estrada takes a bride (Posted June 2, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
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Lo, Ricardo, The Philippine Star. Jude takes home a wife (Posted June 4, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=65852&publicationSubCategoryId=70

Abunda, Boy, The Philippine Star. Bernadette's Love Story (Posted July 2, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.bernadettesembrano.com/article15.htm

Franco, Bernie. Starmometer.com. Bernadette Sembrano Weds Emilio Aguinaldo IV (Posted June 23, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
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Jiggy Manicad and Marnie Pulumbarit Multiply site
http://jiggyandmarnie.multiply.com/

ABS-CBN News. Luli marries Luigi in Tagaytay: ABS-CBN News (Posted November 5, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/05/08/luli-arroyo-marries-luigi-bernas-tagaytay-abs-cbn-news

GMA News.tv Dureza admits he was clueless on Luli's wedding (Posted November 6, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/131748/Dureza-admits-he-was-clueless-on-Lulis-wedding

Burgonio, TJ, Philippine Daily Inquirer. Arroyo mum on daughter’s wedding plans (Posted November 31, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081031-169556/Arroyo-mum-on-daughters-wedding-plans

ABS-CBN News. Celebrity couples tie the knot this month plans (Posted December 29, 2008) Retrieved January 5, 2008 from
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/12/28/08/celebrity-couples-tie-knot-month

January 13, 2009

9th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008


Various natural health products and beauty regiments were showcased during the 9th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008 held last November 28-30, 2008 at the SM Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.”

With the theme “Your Health, Your Wealth”, the event aims to address the health, wellness and beauty concerns of the public and introduce new remedies, services, tools, equipment, and organic products that would help rejuvenate both mind and body. Furthermore, it seeks to increase the awareness and consciousness of healthy living and provide various options for the Filipinos to stay fit, healthy and beautiful.

During the 3-day event, participating professional health practitioners and medical doctors gave free consultations and conducted free health and wellness seminars. Also, over 60 companies offered various health and beauty products; organic, natural food and drinks, and fitness and wellness services to visitors. Others offered demonstration and product presentation of the latest organic, herbal and beauty products.

The event was organized by Fiera de Manila and sponsored by Health and Lifestyle Magazine, Aspendos International Corporation, Business Mirror, View Magazine, Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions Inc., HotOccassions.com, and HotWire.

January 2, 2009

DOT Furthers RP as New Wedding Destination


In recent months, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has continuously promoted the Philippines as a premier wedding destination throughout Asia and the United States.

Last November 1 and 2, 2008, DOT joined the 6th and 7th leg of the Great Bridal Expo in the United States. During the event held at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles and Anaheim Convention Center in California, the Department, together with Rita Neri Events Planners, set up a booth themed “Destination Philippines” which offered the products and services of some of the Philippine’s premiere wedding suppliers, such as Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts, Club Punta Fuego, Lito Sy Photography, Palamuti by Jing Tañada (florist), Forsc Ink (sound systems), Pastry Bin (cake specialist), Imacron videos, wedding gown designers Rajo Laurel and Frankie de Leon, Printsonalities, and Wink: Written in Ink (invitations designer and printer). Philippine Airlines also supported the Philippine team for the said event.

The country’s booth stood side by side with well-known American wedding suppliers JC Penney: Wedding Registry and David’s Bridal.

All the suppliers’ brochures were placed in one “Destination Philippines” shopping bag that they gave out to interested couples. The bag also contained guidelines for getting married in the Philippines, with practical information on Catholic and legal requirements for couples, whether Filipino, foreign or military.

DOT aims to present the country to Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams) and North Americans as a great wedding and honeymoon destination. According to Rita Neri, the mentality of Filipinos, Fil-Ams included, is that “you [Filipinos] haven’t gotten married unless you walk in the church in Manila”. She adds that wedding costs here in the country is cheaper and since a lot of Fil-Ams spend their Christmas and New Year vacations in the Philippines, most decide to tie the knot during these months.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:


Jambora, Anne. Phlippine Daily Inquirer. RP: from nature trip to wedding spot (Posted December 3, 2008) Retrieved December 8, 2008 from
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/diaspora/diaspora/view/20081203-175816/RP-from-nature-trip-to-wedding-spot
Re-posted at Showbiz and Style Section of Inquirer.net at
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20081129-175192/Philippines-top-bridal-destination

Jamora-Garceau, Therese. The Philippine Star. Nice place for a white wedding (November 16, 2008) p. 1
Posted at Philstar.com Retrieved December 8, 2008 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=415755&publicationSubCategoryId=87