Jay and Ivy’s Wedding
First off, Happy New Year to everybody! I’ve decided to give my blog a fresh start complete with a new look. I don’t know why but I just love organizing and re-organizing. Don’t worry, all previously posted pics and videos will be back.
So December 2007, the whole family went to the Philippines for my brother’s wedding which took place in Cebu, his wife’s hometown. Since weddings are also about the merging of two families, it became a two-day event for me. The day before the wedding, we got to meet and spend time with Ivy’s wonderful family, including Ivy’s aunt’s diaper-wearing dogs who Rinoa adored. This get-together, I thought, was a nice and important precursor to the Big Day.
You can view a slideshow of the event here. Most of the photos are from their official photographer.
Day One: December 28, 2007
We arrived in Mactan Cebu late in the morning - Nanny, Tito Danny, Tita Mely, Ninang Elsie, Jona, DJ, Troy, Mica, Rinoa, and I. We checked in at the Hilton Hotel, although we had to wait for an hour in the lobby while housekeeping cleaned our suite. After we got settled, Ivy’s brother brought us to Shangri-La Mactan where we were going to meet Ivy’s family for lunch. Mica had been sick for a day or two already so she decided to stay at the Hilton with Jona keeping her company.
I didn’t have a clue where we were going to eat for lunch but I knew I was hungry. After meeting Ivy’s family for the first time, everybody that was there started walking towards the dock, and I just followed. We went in this boat, big enough to accommodate 30 people. We started crossing the water, and after a 20 minute ride, we arrived at this shack in stilts. We enter the shack, and whoa! A smorgasbord of seafood! I’m sure everybody just drooled, I know I did.
After we got ourselves so stuffed up with such fabulous food, we returned to Shangri-La where we broke out in groups. Some went to dance practice, in preparation for the wedding, some went back to their hotel rooms to take a nap. I went with Rinoa to Tita Paz’s house so that Rinoa can play with a dozen diaper-wearing dogs.
Just a few hours before dinner, Tita Liza showed Jona, DJ, Francis (one of Jay’s closest friends), and I around Lapu-Lapu City. We visited the monument of Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino who defeated Magellan in 1521. The monument stands at the center of a park where I bought Rinoa a small handcrafted guitar. Then we checked out Plantation Bay, an 11-hectare resort with a lovely artificial lagoon in the middle of the site.
That evening, families and friends got together again for dinner at the Abaca Resort, owned by Australian Chef Jason Hyatt. Immersed in romantic lighting and tranquil seascape, we had a Mediterranean-inspired feast that included wood-oven roasted pizzas and a variety of tapas.
Whew! What a wonderful day! Lunch, dinner, and transportation were courtesy of Ivy’s aunt, Tita Paz. Thanks so much!
Day Two: December 29, 2007
The big day! Mica still had a fever but she agreed to get dressed up. I went downtown with Troy that morning to get my nails done and buy some lunch for all of us staying at the Hilton. Got a full manicure and pedicure for just $4. Can’t beat that baby! Hehe!
An hour before the wedding, we headed back to Shangri-La. The ceremony took place at Shangri-La Mactan’s Ocean Pavilion. Such a lovely place, with the altar overlooking the ocean. I got to see the sun set as we all witnessed Jay and Ivy’s renewal of vows. Mica wasn’t able to march but she did gain an appetite and ate Jollibee chicken during the ceremony.
After the ceremony, we proceeded to Shangri-La Mactan’s Ballroom for the reception. Again, great food! The dinner was a buffet although the entourage got sitdown service. Jay and Ivy did a dance rendition of “The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing. Pretty cool!
Filed under My Daily Musings, Around The World |
Great slideshow! I got to re-live the moment while watching it. Hehe. Happy days. I especially loved the choice of song for the ‘wedding preparation’ part, “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis. I liked that song very much many years ago. Hehe. Thanks for the wonderful presentation, Joan!
Hi Joan! Thanks a lot for sharing the pictures. Miss you all.
Regards, Tita Marl
Hi! Lovely pics! What a great vacation huh!? I can feel the happiness in your writing, the memories and all. Must be awesome.
Thanks Ivy, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I had a great time working with the pictures. My favorite song in the slideshow is “Runaway” by The Corrs because I just think it’s so romantic. Great times!
Thanks for checking out the slideshow, Tita Marl. Hopefully we can get together soon.
Great pics! The food looked scrumptuous! How I wish I could have been there with you all. Thanks for sharing. - Tita Maricor
The pics are great, as is the writing. It was a great experience - glad I was there! BTW, why do I look angry in all the pics?
Thanks, Tita Maricor. Yeah, it would have been more fun if all the aunts, uncles, and cousins were there. We were outnumbered, Ivy’s got a huge family! All wonderful people though.
Very beautiful pics. Troy looked very well in a Barong Tagalog, I hope he liked wearing it. Rinoa and Mica were very pretty in those gowns I hope you brought them here. You and hubbie are truly MFEO, we will wait for your wedding ceremonies too.
Great job, Joan! I enjoyed viewing the slides. And the food, wow!!! Congrats to Jay and Ivy. Hope and pray that their love grows stronger each day. I long to see Cebu after the slides. I believe God will grant the desire of my heart. Thanks for the job well done.
Thanks Rhea, the Barong was comfy - much better than a Tux. I would have died wearing a tux in that PI heat!! BTW, calling Joan and I, Midget Firefighters Eating Oreos, isn’t very nice.
Hi Johwey! Finally I saw your family again!!! Nice pictures. Kakatuwa naman - Jay finally got married! Best wishes to him and his wife! And Jona … grabe, I haven’t seen her for the longest time!!! Your daughters are both cute. Sayang we didn’t see each other when you were here.
Thank you so much!!! Best regards, Vincent and family
Hi Johwey! How are you? Too bad we didn’t see each other over the holidays. Raquel said that you were supposed to join us when we had dinner with Choosie, kaya lang I guess you were also busy. How many kids do you have na? Is the little mestiza girl in the pics yours?
Hi Ate! I love the website–you did a great job! The slideshow made me wish I could have made it to the wedding. Cebu si GORGEOUS. It looked like everyone had a great time. Sorry we didn’t really get to catch up @ my sister’s wedding. Hope to see you guys soon.