Soon-to-wed Couples Head Out to Festival Mall for Third Southern Bridal and Debutante Show

Numerous soon-to-wed couples head out to the Carousel Court of Festival Supermall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City to meet up with local wedding suppliers during the Third Southern Bridal and Debutante Show held last April 23 – 25, 2010.

Now on its third straight year, the Southern Bridal and Debutante Show aims to showcase the local wedding suppliers from Southern Manila (composed of Paranaque, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas City) and nearby provinces of Southern Luzon as well as the wedding destinations in the area. The event has also established itself as the only bridal fair that caters to the soon-to-wed couples based here on the southern part of Metro Manila

Throughout the three-day wedding fair and exhibit, wedding photographers, bridal fashion designers, hair and make-up artists, wedding ceremony and reception venues, jeweler, caterers, and wedding invitation suppliers offered discounted wedding packages to all couples who attended the event. Among the highlight of the event were the bridal fashion show, showcasing the works of Okasyon and the free bridal make-over by the participating wedding hair and make up artists.

All the couples who attended the event received free gift pack while lucky couples won honeymoon packages courtesy of the event sponsors. Exhibitors too received special recognition for their creative displays. Best booth was awarded to Paradiso Terrestre, Best Photographer was given to CD Worx Multimedia Center and Best Bridal Gown Design was given to Ms. Fatima Beltran. Winners were chosen based on votes cast by couples who registered during the event.

The Third Southern Bridal and Debutante Show is presented by Festival Supermall, Filinvest Land, Inc., and Department of Tourism. The event is produced by Johan Productions, managed by Philtrade Exhibits, and supported by Hinge Inquirer, Summit Media Publications, Martha Stewart Weddings Philippines, The Philippine Star, Kasal.com, Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, and MOD Magazine.

Radio DJ Nicole Hyala Bids Singlehood Goodbye, Weds Boyfriend

	Popular radio personality Nicole Hyala (real name Emmylou Gaite) has tied the knot with his fiancé, Renly Tiñana last March 27, 2010, Saturday at the Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and the Light in Pasay City.
First Dance. Mr. and Mrs. Renlyn and Emmylou Tiñana. Wedding Photo courtesy of LoveRadio.com.ph

‘Nicole’ and her husband had a very intimate wedding ceremony attended by family members, friends, and colleagues from the radio industry. Principal sponsors include incumbent Caloocan Congresswoman Mitch Cajayon, veteran radio broadcasters Deo Macalma, 90.7 Love Radio station managers Weelee Espinosa and Jojo Cheung, Program Director Ivan Quiling, and DZRH Senior Vice President Juan Elizalde.

The entourage was composed of co-jocks such as Rica Herra (real name Cherryl Adami), Missy Hista (real name Thea Vera Theresa C. Pecho), Rico Pañero (real name Richard Sarmiento), Kristine Dera (real name Ivanne Colleen Parrilla), Papa Jack (real name John Gemperle), and on-air partner Chris Tsuper (real name Adrian Lagdameo Policena).

The two chose purple and pink as their color motif. The blooming bride went out of their orange Hummer bridal car and walked down the aisle wearing a sleeveless gown with purple accents. Jaime Rivera sang during the bridal march, which made the moment more heartwarming.

After the solemn ceremony, the new Mr. and Mrs. Tiñana and their guest went to Palacio de Maynila in Manila for their wedding reception. The wacky and bubbly personality of the couple came out during the reception as the two danced their way towards the reception area. DJs Papa Jack and Chris Tsuper served as hosts for the night.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:
90.7 Love Radio News. Goodbye to singlehood: Nicole Hyala, ikinasal na!!! Retrieved April 19, 2010 from
http://www.loveradio.com.ph/whats-new/nicole-hyala-mrs-tinana-na/

Gonzales, Wally, Ren+NicoleHyala Onsite Video (Posted April 14, 2010) Retrieved April 19, 2010 from
http://vimeo.com/10943277

Malaysian Couples Invited To Hold Weddings at Police Station

The Philippine National Police is now busy with the upcoming May 10 Presidential Elections. Maybe after the elections, our men in uniform could consider becoming groomsmen or even give a sword parade for newlyweds. Sounds farfetched? Not for Malaysian police officers.

In a report by the Associated Press, Malaysian couples are being invited to hold their weddings at district police headquarters in a bid by police authorities to boost ties with the public and avoid being idle in a community where crime is rare.

Officers will provide security for outdoor ceremonies at the police station in Chamek district in southern Johor state, and their wives might even help prepare food for a wedding feast, said Mohamad Fauzi Arshad, a police official.

In a separate interview by The Star/Asia News Network, Johor police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Shariff said the Chamek police station in Kluang had been chosen for such an initiative, which would see its compound open to public functions as a way to help the poor. He said that besides weddings, residents in the area could also have a potluck lunch gathering or other functions at the police station.

Both chief Deputy Commissioner Mohd Mokhtar and Officer Mohamad Fauzi said that they are doing this to break barriers and forge good partnership and understanding with the public.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:
Associated Press. (Posted by GMANews.tv) Love is no crime: Malaysia police to host weddings (Posted April 15, 2010) Retrieved April 15, 2010 from
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/188511/love-is-no-crime-malaysia-police-to-host-weddings
Reposted by Winnipeg Free Press at
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/life/oddities/shotgun-weddings-malaysian-police-offer-to-hold-nuptials-for-couples-because-crime-is-so-low-90921099.html

The Star/Asia News Network. Fancy holding your wedding in a police station? weddings (Posted April 15, 2010) Retrieved April 15, 2010 from
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20100415-210458.html

DOT Expects Growth in Tourist Arrivals for 2010 with Tourism Act Implementation

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is forecasting a 15% increase in domestic and tourist arrivals in the Philippines’ top destinations this year, thanks to the implementation of Republic Act 9593, or the National Tourism Act of 2009.

With the implementation of the said law, the DoT foresees the coordinated and integrated efforts of the government and the private sector to expand current capacity, increase tourist demand, enhance revenues, and create more employment opportunities for Filipinos.

In a statement, DoT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. said that the international and local travel markets have regained their confidence in the global economy, which could result in more activity in business and travel, specifically in the field of MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions).

Based on the data of DoT, Cebu is still the top destination in the Philippines, attracting 1.61 million tourists, a 1.24 percent growth from 2008. Camarines Sur posted the most remarkable growth in tourism arrivals, with 117.25 percent. The growth is attributed to the international and local events such as the First Aqua Fest Celebrity Challenge, Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, International Dragon Boat Competition and Bagasbas Summer Surf that were held here last year, which boosted domestic visitors to CamSur by 140% to 1.3 million, while foreign tourists went up by 56.1%.

CamSur was followed by Metro Manila and the other prime destinations in the country such as Baguio City, Davao City, Boracay Isalnd, Cagayan de Oro, Zambales, Bohol, Puerto Princesa City, Camiguin, Cagayan Valley, Negros Oriental, and Ilocos Norte.

Aside from the Chinese and Taiwanese tourists, who are regular visitors in the country, European tourist arrival is continuously growing. According to DoT Director Marie Venus Tan, the Philippines has been posting continued growth on European tourist arrivals for six years now, with the 2009 year-on-year growth at five percent. On top of the list is United Kingdom with 70,000-80,000 visitors followed by Germany, 68,000; France, 50,000; Switzerland, 47,000; and Russia with 35, 000.

The National Tourism Act of 2009 declares "a national policy for tourism as an engine of investment, employment, growth and national development, and strengthens the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies to effectively and efficiently implement that policy, and appropriates funds therefore”

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:
Villanueva, Joann, Balita.ph. RP eyes robust tourist arrivals from Europe after the global meltdown (Posted March 15, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://balita.ph/2010/03/15/rp-eyes-robust-tourist-arrivals-from-europe-after-the-global-meltdown/

Mozo, Malou, Manila Bulletin. DoT targets 15% hike in tourist arrivals (Reposted by Department of Tourism on March 7, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/Pages/20100309DoTtargets15hikeintouristarrivals.aspx

Dagooc, Ehda, The Freeman. DOT expects 15% growth in tourist arrivals in 2010 (Posted March 06, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=555425&publicationSubCategoryId=108

Sun.Star Network Online. Arrivals to rise 15% in 2010 (Posted February 21, 2010) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/arrivals-rise-15-2010

Office of the President: National Tourism Act of 2009 (Posted May 12, 2009) Retrieved March 23, 2010 from
http://www.op.gov.ph/directives/RA9593.pdf