Cebu Wedding Planners Seek Help from LGU to Draw Soon-to-weds, Catch Bogus Suppliers

A group of wedding planners is seeking the help of local government officials to address the requirements for foreigners who want to wed in Cebu, attract more foreigners to hold their weddings in the province, and eliminate the presence of fake wedding suppliers.

In a interview with Association of Sugbu’s Wedding Planners and Coordinators (ASWPC) president Clair Villaflor, she said that the current situation in the province served as a “barrier” in attracting more foreign couples to get married in Cebu.

According to Villaflor, a foreign couple will have to go through a civil wedding in their homeland or another country before they can again exchange vows in Cebu.

However, Article 21 of the Family Code of the Philippines only states that, aside from the marriage license and parent’s consent, if applicable, a foreigner or foreign couples only need to secure a Certificate Of Legal Capacity To Contract Marriage or a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from their diplomatic or consular official to get married here in the Philippines.

Nevertheless, the Cebu wedding planner President said the group received many inquiries from foreign couples and wedding planners regarding the legalities of foreign weddings in Cebu. She pointed out that many individuals and couples choose Cebu for their events or weddings because of the variety of places to hold their wedding and availability of raw materials.

Another challenge Cebu wedding suppliers are facing as of now is the rampant presence of fly-by-night and bogus wedding suppliers who deceive individuals or couples into giving down payments yet fail to organize their weddings or other events.

”This is one of the reasons we organized the ASWPC. We want to professionalize the industry. Churches, hotels and the government now recognize us and they recommend us to potential clients,” said President Villaflor.

To avoid this, ASWPC advised couples to research first the background of the person whom they want to handle their events.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Philippine News Agency. Wedding planners seek LGU’s help in drawing foreign couples to Cebu. (Posted January 8, 2010) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=251408&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=marriage&andor=and&mdte_arch=0&ddte_arch=0&ydte_arch=0
Reposted by Positive News Media at
http://positivenewsmedia.ca/am2/publish/Tourism_24/Wedding_planners_seek_LGU_s_help_in_drawing_foreign_couples_to_Cebu.shtml

Cudis, Nancy, Sun Star Cebu. Wedding planners seek LGU’s help in drawing foreign couples to Cebu. (Posted January 5, 2010) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/wedding-planners-seek-lgu%E2%80%99s-help-drawing-foreign-couples-cebu

Physician proposed to Navy Officer through Broadsheet Ad

We’ve heard of wedding proposals on airports, national television, zip lines, internet ad pages, the classic dinner date, and more. But this could be the first time someone actually answered a marriage proposal though a national broadsheet.

On the Sunday issue of the Philippine Star last Valentines Day, February 14, 2010, an unnamed female licensed physician proposed to LtSg. Keith Marquez of the Philippine Navy through a paid one half page advertisement by clothing brand Van Heusen.

The main proposal writes, “Now, I break my silence. This love month, allow me to succumb and unlock the emotions left raw, left unspoken… To my gallant knight, LtSg. Keith Marquez of the Philippine Navy, or to the young boy clad in our elementary uniform, or to the cadet in the long gray line – no matter what you are – you are my Keith, let me be your wife. It is my time to propose for us to be united in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony and be blessed finally by the Lord, Our Father, who crafted and fortified our love since the beginning. This is dedicated to you, a meager way of professing my love for you and thanking you for your untiring support and love.”

The proposal came in with a summary of the love story of the couple written by the physician. The story on the ad states that the physician actually declined the proposal from LtSg. Marquez and “was left unspoken for many years”. The ad stated that the full love story is posted on the website of Van Heusen. As of press time, the story is not yet online.

The said physician was the winner of the Tie the Knot with Van Heusen contest wherein grooms and brides to be were asked to write a marriage proposal and the winner’s entry will be posted on a major broadsheet on Valentines’ Day.

According to the contest mechanics posted on Van Heusen site, aside from the half page newspaper ad containing the proposal, the winning couple will receive gift certificates, an overnight hotel accommodation at Discovery Suites Hotel in Ortigas, spa package at Terra Wellness Spa, Surf and Turf dinner for two at Restaurant Five, and breakfast buffet for two.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Sunday Lifestyle, The Philippine Star (February 14, 2010 issue)

Tie the Knot with Van Heusen contest Mechanics. Retrieved February 14, 2010 from
http://www.vanheusen.com.ph/tietheknot/how-to-join

Rica Peralejo and Pastor Fiancé Exchanged Vows in Beach Wedding

Kawayan Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas became the venue of the beach wedding of actress-host Rica Peralejo (real name Regina Carla Peralejo) and her non-showbiz boyfriend, Pastor Joe Bonifacio last January 29, 2010.

Rica specifically chose the said beach due to its beautiful rock formation. The solemn Christian wedding ceremony was attended by family members, showbiz and non-showbiz friends who were all in barefoot during the ceremony. Some of the personalities who were there during the event include Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano, Yeng Constantino, Coney Reyes, and the other hosts of ABS-CBN morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda, which includes, Pinky Webb, and Alex Santos, among others.

The radiant Peralejo marched down the sand aisle wearing a simple empire tube gown by Rajo Laurel while Pastor Bonifacio was sporting a white suit. Those who attended the event highly anticipated the kiss of the couple since it was their first throughout their two-year relationship. The wedding reception was also held at the same venue.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Bonifacio will be heading to EL Nido, Palawan for their honeymoon.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Conejero, Ginger, TV Patrol World (January 29 Episode). Rica Peralejo marries non-showbiz bf. Retrieved February 1, 2010 from
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/entertainment/01/29/10/rica-peralejo-marries-non-showbiz-bf

Sembrano, Bernadette, TV Patrol World (January 30 Episode) Rica Peralejo in emotional wedding reception. Retrieved February 1, 2010 from
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/entertainment/01/30/10/rica-peralejo-emotional-wedding-reception

Llanera, Melba, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Rica Peralejo and her fiance want a beach wedding. (Posted September 4, 2009) Retrieved February 1, 2010 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/19886/Rica-Peralejo-and-her-fiance-want-a-beach-wedding

Ciara Sotto and Roselle Nava Tie the Knot with their Beaus

Two celebrities, namely actress-singer Ciara Sotto and singer Roselle Nava said their “I do’s” to their respected partners last January 17, 2010.

Ciara Sotto (real name Ciara Anna G. Sotto) exchanged vows with Jojo Oconer in a Christian wedding ceremony held at the Westfield Manila Polo Club in Makati City. The newlywed couple had an “Old English” wedding theme with lavender as the color motif.

The youngest daughter of former Senator and Dangerous Drugs Board Chair Vicente Tito Sotto III and veteran actress Helen Gamboa wore a vintage inspired gown made by Mitch Dulce. Accompanying the bride was Megastar Sharon Cuneta, who served as Matron of Honor, as well as Danica Sotto-Pingris and the bride’s best friend, Cat Bautista, as Maids of Honor.

Oconer is the Chief Operating Officer of APT Entertainment, the producer of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga!, which Ciara is a part of.

The wedding was attended by their family and friends in the showbiz industry as well as politics. Among the members of the entourage include members of Eat Bulaga! such as Julia Clarete, Joey de Leon, Vic Sotto, and Pia Guanio, as well as TAPE, Inc, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Malou Choa-Fagar. Also present during the wedding were Senator Gringo Honasan, Cong. Romeo Jalosjos (represented by his son Bullet Jalosjos) Pops Fernandez, KC Concepcion, Mother Lily Monteverde, among others.

The two first met in 2005 during one of the US tour of the country’s longest-running noontime variety show. After four years of being a couple, Oconer mustered the courage to pop the question to Ciara last March 20, 2009.

The newlyweds: Mr. Allen Ford Lee Tan and Mrs. Roselle Nava - Tan. Photo by Dino Lara Photography

On the same day, singer Roselle Nava said ‘I Do’ to her boyfriend of nine years, Allen Ford Lee Tan, at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila. The former Ang TV child star walked down the aisle wearing a Cecilio Abad gown with Bituin Escalante singing Savage Garden’s “I Knew I Loved You.”

The event was attended by the newlywed’s family and close friends. Included in the entourage were former Ang TV casts Lindsay Custodio, Rica Peralejo, and Jolina Magdangal.

Fulfilling his promise to the couple, actor-singer Piolo Pascual surprised Roselle and Allen when he sang Jim Brickman’s “The Gift” during the wedding ceremony.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Tan, along with their guest and family members, headed out to Palacio de Maynila for their wedding reception. The newlyweds wowed the crowd as they entered their reception venue riding a motorcycle.

Roselle and Allen met each other through a common friend, back when the singer was still shooting for TV drama “Tabing Ilog”.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Garcia, Rose, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Ciara Sotto and her dream wedding with Joe Oconer (Posted January 19, 2010) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.pep.ph/articles/21020/Ciara-Sotto-and-her-dream-wedding-with-Joe-Oconer

Lo, Ricardo, The Philippine Star. Ciara & Jojo: Meant for each other (Posted January 19, 2010) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=541923&publicationSubCategoryId=70

Jarloc, Glaiza, Sun.Star Manila. Ciara Sotto ready to say ‘I do’ (Posted January 3, 2010) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/ciara-sotto-ready-say-%E2%80%98i-do%E2%80%99

Pagsolingan, Karen A. and Bong Godinez, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Ciara Sotto hears wedding bells for next year (Posted November 23, 2009)
http://www.pep.ph/articles/20724/Ciara-Sotto-hears-wedding-bells-for-next-year

ABS-CBNNews.com. Roselle Nava finally says 'I do'. (Posted January 19, 2010) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/01/19/10/roselle-nava-finally-says-i-do

Brosas, Alex Valentin, Manila Bulletin. Piolo Pascual channels ‘The Wedding Singer’ for Roselle Nava. (Posted January 19, 2010) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/239298/piolo-pascual-channels-the-wedding-singer-roselle-nava

Lo, Ricardo, The Philippine Star. Roselle getting married Jan. 2010 (Posted November 7, 2009) Retrieved January 19, 2010 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=521187&publicationSubCategoryId=70