Supplier's Rating: KRIS MATANGUIHAN (Videographer)

I wanted to give a detailed rating to my suppliers attaching their photos during the wedding day. And since the official wedding images are yet to be handed to me by Jay on the 21st, i will start rating our videographer, Kris Matanguihan, first since the output of their service can be readily played online. =)

Kris in action :p

Legend:

5 wands - Exceeds expectation

4 wands - Partially met expectation

3 wands - met expectation

2 wands - needs improvement

1 wand  - we regret that we got their service

Price Tag: Php 23,000 (Regular Price: Php 40,000 - Year 2010 Rate)

Package Inclusion:

Full Wedding Video Coverage

Two (2) 3CCD Widescreen Cameras
Three (3) DVD edited (Cinematic and MTV Style) (approx. 30mins)
Raw Footage in DVD (approx. 4 – 6 hrs.)
SAME-DAY-EDIT (Preparation and Ceremony footage edited and shown at the reception)

Kate Says:

Rating:

5++++++++ WANDS
Highly recommended

We won Kris Matanguihan's Full Wedding Video Coverage in W@W Auction year 2010. Though this was just a 'donation' and we just paid half of the original price, the quality of their work and the customer service Kris has rendered weren't jeopardized.

Before the wedding:

My previous blog about him:
http://jaykatewedding.blogspot.com/2011/02/meeting-with-kris.html
http://jaykatewedding.blogspot.com/2010/11/videographer-found.html

I would occasionally ask Kris for anything about the wedding. He also gave us the liberty to choose for a song in our SDE. I actually changed it 2 times haha! and he was just okay with it. We also felt his concern for us being his client. He would ping me in facebook to ask us about the wedding preparations and he would comment in my facebook countdown status. We really appreciate that he was also excited for the wedding.

Btw we also happened to meet his wife in one of our meetings she was so pleasant and super chika kami. Na-OP sila Jay at Kris. Haha! =)

On the wedding day:

His team arrived at the hotel on time. After introducing them to Atty RF's Team, they rightaway started working. I was 'high' during the preps (haha!) so they would throw me some jokes to make me smile and relax. 

During the processional march of the entourage, I was just standing at one corner of La Castellana's Ballroom hall, where Jay and the rest of the guests couldn't see me. Kris was also there with me taking video and He was actually the last person I talked to before my I walked for my bridal March. Here's how our conversation went:

ME: Krisssssss!!!!

(Kris gave me a high five then went back to his place, about 3 steps away from me then held his camera) 

KRIS: Ang lamig ng kamay mo!

ME: Eeeee kinakabahan ako!

KRIS: This is it!

ME: (Tears attempting to fall)

KRIS: Uyyy iiyak na yan

ME: Ayoko pangit sa video! (hahahah!)

(When it was our secondary sponsors turn to walk, i became more nervous and I wanted to go back to La Castellana's courtesy room to pee! haha! but of course I didn't do it. :p)

ME: Kinakabahan ka din ba nung kinasal ka?

KRIS: Oo naman!

ME: Ganito ba talaga yun?

KRIS: Oo ganyan talaga..

ME: E nakakakaba! Naiiyak na ko!

KRIS: Okay lang yan.

(When it was my turn to walk..)

ME: Kris eto na!!

KRIS: Dahan dahan ka lang sa paglakad para hindi kita patigilin

ME: Ahh talaga papatigilin ako pag mabilis?

KRIS: Hindi joke lang :p

(When Rejectrew played my bridal march, I took a deep breath, wore my smile, looked at my groom and started walking ^^ )

I am thankful that he talked to me before I walked, it helped me keep my sanity. Haha!

Our Same Day Edit:

I loved our SDE!!! I was speechless when it was played during the reception. My friends and family also thought it was great. He and his team were able to capture the 'real us'. I actually brought the cd of our SDE with us in Boracay and kept on playing it the day (and the next day and the days that followed) after our wedding hahaha! Jay and I really marvel at the work of this guy and his team plus they are so humble and very friendly.

You may check the SDE he made for us here:  http://vimeo.com/32487344

After the reception He approached us and asked me when will I fly back to Singapore. He told me he will work on the raw videos so I could bring them with me. He texted me after 5 days telling me that we can already pick them up but unfortunately we were at my home town in Quirino province. We weren't able to pick them up when we came back to Manila because we were already dog-tired and the following day is my scheduled departure so Jay asked me to rest at home nalang and he'll be the one collect the DVDs from Kris. But later on Kris told me he'll just send the DVD containing the raw video via LBC. Yey!! Can't wait!

We so love them!

Jay Says:

Rating:

5 Wands
Highly Recommended

Kris is very down to earth and makwento. Ok yung quality especially yung timing ng music and video.

Wow, Mali!

1. I dyed my hair a month before the wedding here in Singapore. It was my first time to do hair colouring, I just really did it for wedding's sake. But what made it off beam? Because only the upper portion of my hair absorbed the light brown colour while 3/4 of my hair became brown-black. Imagine my horror when I saw the result, it was really awful. Para akong napatakan ng kalawang sa tuktok ng ulo ko. I had to wait for a week to have my hair fixed so it could 'rest' from the dye chemicals. I went to Tony and Jackey in SM San Lazaro when I flew back to Philippines to have it repaired. I shelled out 3000 php for this. Money mistake. :(

Lesson Learned:

a. If it is your first time to dye your hair, use a dye that is close to your current hair color so it won't be noticeable if it didn't go well, just to be safe.

b. I don't suggest doing a hair dye few days before the wedding, allot enough time for 'repair'. Just in case.

2. I underwent to facial treatment 3 days before the wedding. I asked the attendant not to 'prick' too much but my plea was ignored. :-x Come Sunday there were still red spots all over my face and a big pimple on my chin. Good thing my HMUA, Tin Galolo was able to conceal it. I still looked pretty. Hee hee!

Lesson Learned: 

Get a facial at least 2 weeks (or three!) before the wedding, not 3 days.

3. After a Wensha staff painted my nails 2 days before the wedding, I still did some DIYs (wrapping the gifts and packing them). Mom in-law told me not to help anymore as it could ruin my nail polish, kaso masyado akong pabibo. I ended up going to a parlor in SM Manila before we checked in to G-Hotel the following day. After my appointment at the parlor I went to the supermarket to buy some snacks for the guests/suppliers na pupunta sa hotel. Ayun, nasira ulit yung polish. :( I know i know, I was clumsy :( But I was blessed to have a mom who knows how to paint nails, she woke up 6am to get my nails done, and they were perfect!

Lessons Learned:

a. My mom painted my nails better. Serious! I should have saved few hundreds for the honeymoon if I waited for my mom to arrive. (She came from the province pa kasi)

b. Listen to your mom-in-law. Wag masyadong pa-bibo. Hehe.

4. I only slept an hour the night before the wedding day. My electrons and neurons got too excited and nervous at the same time so I wasn't able to sleep. Good thing I did not faint.

Lesson Learned:

Don't be too excited.  Hmmm..yeah, that's not possible haha! but try to get some sleep the night before the wedding.

5. During the pictorial Jay used dad-in-law's barong tagalog. He just realized he grabbed the wrong one when FIL went looking for it after the pictorials of his accessories were done. Talk about excitement.

Lesson Learned:

 Don't be too excited. Try to sleep the night before the wedding.

6. Since the projector  and white screen was included in the package we availed with RF, we did not hire a projector and white screen supplier anymore. RF told us beforehand that we should bring a laptop because it is not inclusive in the package (he'll be using his laptop for Onsite AVP Editing) but we forgot my laptop at the hotel causing the flashback AVP (which I had worked on for 2 days) and the slideshow of the lyrics for the praise and worship created by Ellen not shown. :( I also forgot to tell my coordinator about it. My fault. :(

Lesson Learned:

Assign someone in your family to take charge of the items that will be used in the reception aside from your OTD, believe me, di mo na maaalala lahat ng details sa wedding day itself.

7.We forgot the safety pins for the garter game. Aubrey, the coordinator assigned to me, was asking me the items for the game when she arrived but the room was too crowded already tapos kalat kalat na yung mga gamit kaya di ko na mahanap kung saan ko nalagay. Sabi ko mamaya ko nalang hahanapin until nakalimutan ko na.hmf! Fortunately Ellen has a 'back up' game..so enjoy pa din.

Lesson Learned:

Wag makalat sa gamit.Much better kung lalagyan ng label yung bawat item then place it somewhere na hindi magagalaw pag madami nang tao sa preparation area.

This should have been my thank you speech ^_^

Hi Dearies! <3

It's been 22 days since our wedding and until now i'm still on a cloud nine! Everything went perfectly beautiful, i loved it being so solemn and intimate, it was the best wedding ever (read: i'm being bias on this part..tee hee)!

During my thank you speech i was not really able to thank everyone. I realized that what i said was just a plain ten-second-thank-you-for-coming-super-general speech. And I believe that I should have done better. So with this, I want to make up and thank those people who worked offcam, tossing the wedding to a great satisfaction.

-to my Great God, who never failed me, for bringing the perfect weather and for being the overall wedding supervisor. :)

-to my doting mama for blessing me to get married and who had been so excited for the wedding so she could finally have grandkids and for being my coordinator in Quirino. And! for her dramatic speech that made me and my relatives cry. Love you ma!

-to my mom-in-law, nanay Linda, for going beyond the wedding details on my checklist. I was the most OC person when it comes to our wedding until she entered the picture. LOL. She's been sooo helpful especially during the last few days of the preps.

-to my father-in-law, tatay Bong, for assisting us in completing the paper requirements. Life is made easier when dad-in-law happens to work in Manila city hall. hee hee!

-to ate Chelle for her patience in following me and ate Juvy (of Disenyo Pandi) up on my wedding gown and ento gowns (it wasn't easy, mind you), for inscribing the personalized stamp on the table napkin and for designing our candles. Thanks ate! :) 

-to ate Kaye for walking me through the wedding preparation steps during the early days of the preps, for her idea on how the table napkin should be folded and for taking me to wensha 2 days before the wedding. I really badly and seriously needed it!

-once again, to all our suppliers for the job well done. All of them were outstanding! :) Im currently cooking the suppliers rating and will be served on my next blog :)

-to our ninong and ninang, for gladly accepting our 'will you be our second parents' invitation.

-to our entourage  and to the parents of our little kids, for their willing heart to accomodate our requests, Hazel (the best MOH ever!), Tintin, Maui, Mona, Pau, Ae Ae, Rome, Ted, Vinchi, Eli, Boss Ferdie,My brother Ronron, Robin, Buddy Boribs, RJ, Ryan, Shem, Milson, my little bro CJ, Daena, Dorothy, My baby Lyca and Zafi.

-to Hazel Mae, siz Mau, Mona, Leslie, Tintin, Marvin (Jay's friend), Tito Robert, Tita Grace and Lola for finding their way to fly back to Philippines just for the wedding.

-to siz Maui, for sponsoring the lights and sounds (thanks siz, because of you we were able to get Rejectkrew, the W@W Best Supplier for year 2010..muaaah!) , to sis Tintin for the couple bears and for acting as RF's backup photographer (LOL!), to Leslie for helping me out to cut the invitations.

-to tita Grace and ate Sarj for sharing me their ideas and for patiently listening to my excitements and rants.

-to Bishop Ronaldo Bonus for all the prayers, assistance and encouragements, to Pastora Quincy for the wisdom during the counseling, and to Pastor Alex for officiating the ceremony.

-to my caregroup for the surprise bridal shower and for praying with us. Wedding preparations is sooo stressful, but I always felt refreshed after the Bible study.

-to our Ninong, Kuya Joseph, for sponsoring our super scenic accomodation in Bora. God bless you more kuya! :p

-to w@w group, especially to my w@wie friends, who kept reminding me to let go and let God. They've been so supportive, thoughtful and encouraging. Thank you Lord for this group.

-to my officemates and team mates in CSC who have been so kind and understanding - I was given lighter tasks when i got sick due to stress. hehe.

-to our relatives who travelled all the way from Baguio, Laguna, Bulacan and Quirino province just to witness our wedding. Thank you soo much!

-to Ted for accompanying Jay, for fulfilling some special requests and for being our 'errand runner'. Hehe.

-to Ate Marie for helping us find HMUA for the ento. They all looked gorgeous! :)

-to Vinchi and Hazel for their speech and for being 'sport' during the garter game. heehee!

-to Jay's relatives in US for giving their gift in advance which covered the car rental and food expenses during the distribution of the invites and half of the payment for the gowns.

-To Marrah who became my coordinator in Bulacan. Thanks girl!

-To sis Anna (and John) of w@w for the door hangers and for creating our cartoon image, to sis Cathy for the monogram that was used for photobooth layout, and to sis Aleng for her step by step instruction on DIY invitation.

-to Mommy Mercy and Daddy Joven for asking Bishop Bonus to be our wedding officiant in our behalf and for offering their house to Jay's parents and relatives during the post wedding party in my home town and to uncle Leo for running away from work just to be able to send me at the altar. I've always been so blessed and thankful that they are my papa's siblings.

-to all those who prayed,messaged, texted, emailed and called..thank you guys!

-I also want to thank Bes Kwini, I know she's been soo sad (we're sad too!*crying face*) because she wasn't able to witness how her bestfriends had exchanged their wedding vows, but we know that she was there in spirit. Don't be sad bes, sa wedding mo kumpleto tayo, promise! <3

-to our relatives, friends, Jay's officemates and team mates, and to all of those who made an effort to dress up and attend our wedding, thank you sooo much, it was even  more significant and memorable night for us because of your presence.

xoxo,

Kate

From CSC Colleagues and Friends

My CSC colleagues were soo pensive to give us a card (and cash gift! :p) the day before I went off for my marriage leave. I got teary eyed while reading their messages because it finally sank in that I'm really getting married! Thank you sooo much guys! *kisses*

Jane, Roma and Kaiser also took me out for a 'surprise' dinner treat at Queens Restaurant in Sentosa boardwalk. I am really blessed to have them here in Singapore. Thank you lunch and shopping buddies!

Surprise Bridal Shower

Hey Friends! I'm twelve days married! And I'm sooo excited to make wedding kwentos here but I need to restrain myself until im done blogging my bridal shower. hee hee!

It was organized by my caregroup. Wednesday is our schedule for Bible study but I am soo grateful and I felt so honored that they gave November 9th for my bridal shower. Love you guys! :)

I was also surprised that they even communicated with Jay to give me a surprise message and participate with the game they had prepared. Below are the videos created by Jay via skype while I am sleeping.

 

Ate Noreen, the cake master also baked a cake for me and I love how it was presented! She purposely baked a lemon flavored cake because according to her marriage is not always sweet, sometimes it is also bitter and sour-but in general, marriage is beautiful.

Sis Cathei also made an effort to create a powerpoint presentation. Btw my despedida de soltera is also fairy tale themed! 

My dear sisters as well enjoyed the games prepared by ate Sarj. Here are Bianca and ate Ruby who became actresses in the guessing game:

My colleagues who later on became my lunch and shopping buddies also came. Thanks Roma and Jane for coming! And of course, tita Grace was also present. She made me cry on her very touching message. Tita told me that my college classmates and friends, Leslie and Yanyan, and my crazy friend Mona were also invited but weren't able to attend but they were thoughtful enough to send me a message.

Here are gifts from Raech, Sis Cathei and Ate Ruby. I promise to read them and remember every word of advice by heart. I won't fail you..haha!

Ate Sarj also gave us a couple shirt, which Jay used during the preparations at G-hotel.

I truly appreciate this gesture, the party was just simple, but it meant a lot especially that it was planned by the people who sincerely care for us and who have been praying for the success of our marriage since the day we got engaged. I thank the Lord for their lives.

6 Days to Go!

Posted this as my FB Status: 

We started to plan the wedding August 2010. I admit that I am an OC Bride and I wanted everything to be organized. I also confess that oftentimes I am a bridezilla. I felt giddy and excited, i slept late because I got so hooked up with all the wedding DIYs, I wanted everything to be personalized, I became active in w@w (weddings at work) group and met wonderful brides and grooms, I gained many new friends, I've created a wedding website, flew back to Philippines every other month, I cried, helped out some brides like me, been stressed out, got sick and was hospitalized. I was happy to experience all those stages. Today I can finally let go-I am letting go of all the wedding details and letting God do the execution. The only thing that matters to me now is I am marrying the man that I love, who also loves me without any reservation ♥ #SINGLE DIGIT COUNTDOWN MODE

Heart Check

Hi Dear Ones! How are y'all today? Praying that everyone's in good state. I'm working from home today because I am scheduled for a 24 hour heart monitoring. Couple of weeks ago I was sent to Changi General Hospital @ 3 am due to heart palpitations. I woke up fluttering and I had difficulty in breathing so I decided to wake tito and tita up to accompany me at the emergency [hospital]. I've had an ECG 3 times and the results showed that there are some extra beats so the doctor referred me to a specialist for a series of laboratory tests. 3 weeks ago I've had my blood taken for a complete blood count,  magnesium, potassium, thyroid (??? - sorry, im not so familiar with medical terms x: ) level tests. The nurses (yes, I needed 2 nurses) had some troubles in taking blood from me because according to them my veins are so fine. I had to fill those 4 small blood bottles, imagine how my tiny little veins have been tortured! Kidding! :) The pain is tolerable, I just had to close my eyes so I wouldn't see those blood and injections.

My left hand after blood taking

Today I have electrodes stuck all over my chest. I was also told to record all my activities while wearing the gadget. I'll be returning it tomorrow, which is also my schedule for echocardiogram (test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart).

But don't worry about me, I've got the best doctor in the whole wide world, who had shed His blood at the cross just to get me well. I can't fathom God's wisdom, but maybe He has to let this thing happen so I could learn, so my faith will be even more strengthened, so I could grow closer to Him -I'm not sure, but I know He always have His best plans for me, and I just got to trust Him =)

Matthew 8:17 - This happened so that what Isaiah the prophet said would be fulfilled: He is the one who took our illnesses and carried away our diseases.^[a] 

One More Month :)

Hi dearies! Im at the MRT heading to Punggol while writing this. We'll be painting the rooms of the newly acquired house of tito Robert and Tita Grace and we're moving in there in few days, yey!! Still crossing my fingers that I'd make a good painter, wouldn't want to be scolded :p

Anyhoo today starts the one month countdown mark. Time really flies so fast! We still have several unchecked items on our list but i'm quite positive that we'll be able to beat the red line.

As always, i want to thank the Lord for everything - He'd shown us how much He love us through those people who had been so happy for us and so willing to extend their help and support since the first day of the preps. May He be glorified throughout our married life.

Poems

Four years ago, we agreed to make each other a poem. Can't stop smiling whenever I read them :)

The Best You Are
By Kate

Taters, sushi, cake and ice cream
If on this piece they are not seen,
I’m sorry bes, be forgiving,
Perhaps writing about them,
I really didn’t know where to begin…


I’ve known you to be so noisy
In HSP and boothcamp training you’ve been too lazy
We used to be seatmates
You always submit your works very late

I didn’t know where it started
One time you called be your bestfriend
But still I was irritated with your noise
The hell, you’d even imitated my voice

When the training came to end,
I wished we’d still be on the same floor
So when your program had an abend,
I could hear you say:
“If this doesn’t work, I don’t think so anymore”

Maybe you’re just a natural brat
Or probably the way you act has been caused by your frat
But no matter what the reason behind is,
How you behave, surely I will always miss…

You had never let me down
Though when we chat you always make me frown
You always call me ‘norm’
Which make me say:
“Bes you’re so stubborn!”

But beyond those crazy things you do,
I still want to say ‘thank you’
You may not have an idea of what I mean,
But you will still be the best kind of friend
I’ll ever win…

I want to thank you
For the phone calls when I am sick
And for those cheerful words
When I feel weak…

I want to thank you
For protecting me from ****
And for singing me
Those I can’t understand songs…

I want to thank you
For those hands that hold
And for lending me your jacket
When I am feeling cold…

When I am afraid
And I say “no”,
Thank you for giving me courage
And pushing me to go…

The way you tease me
Makes my day tragic
But the way you make me laugh,
It will always be your magic…

I’m out of words
To tell you that I’m so glad,
I never thought
You’ll be the bestest friend I’ll ever have…

And when it’s time for me to leave,
Don’t get lonely nor feel blue
Coz in my heart I’ll always treasure you
And whatever happens,

Kate will always be here for you… (=’;’=)

To my Bestest Best Bes.
By Jay

 To a friend I once met
The bes that I also consider to be my pet

To the person I'll always consider my bes,          
Who out of pure luck defeated me in Chess.

To the person I almost drown
Though she doesn’t know I treat like a queen w/out a crown

To the person that stood by beside me,
Hope she'll be there no matter who ill be.

To my batch mate who greets me good morning,
She even greets me even when I’m sleeping.

A friend that likes to meet me in Mega mall
Not to mention she's always there when I call

The friend who reminds me to lessen the pork i eat.
Somehow ill heed, although I like eating meat.

Our relationship is genius and a norm
So much to compare that I’m the butterfly and she is the worm.

But all in all i want to say thanks for everything you’ve done
I also wanted you to know you've acted so much like my mom.

A friend that I could never hate,
a bes and her name is Kate.

48 Days to Go Updates

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

• Ceremony and Reception Venue:  La Castellana - Package Fully Paid.  Emailed Christian about the electricity fee for Lights and Sound.
• Caterer: Hizon's Catering -Final detailing done. Payment for additional waiters and scoopers to be settled by first week of November. Wedding ceremony set up already sent to Majo. Will hand them over the cocktail drinks on the wedding day.
• Hotel for Preparations: G-Hotel - Fully paid. To inquire if they allow late check out
• Photographer: Atty. Raymond Fortun - 50% Paid. Prenup done. Selection of pictures for the guestbook done.
• Videographer: Kris Matanguihan - Fully paid. Sent a message in FB about the crew meal. Waiting for his reply.
• Wedding On The Day Coordinator - CSM Events. Will E-mail Cecille about the changes of the program flow.
• String Quartet: Velvet Mood Musicale - E-mailed Ms. Mercy the selected songs.
• Lights and Sound : Rejectrew - Reservation paid. Remaining balance to be paid on the wedding day. To email Kuya Elmer the list of the songs.
• Couturier: Disenyo Pandi - Reservation Paid.Measurement of all entous have been taken. Will go to divi for my first fitting on the 22nd.
• Florist: Mang Boy Mahusay of Dangwa - 50% paid. Will communicate with him about the additional head dress and flower basket for the flower girl.
• Hair and Make Up Artist: Tin Galolo - Paid 3,500. Remaining balance (5,500) to be settled on the wedding day. Trial make up done. Will email her the hair style i am currently looking at.
• Emcee: Ellen Celis-Timbol - reservation paid.

 WEDDING FAVORS

• For Parents - Beauty kit for moms. Perfume for fathers.
• For Primary Sponsors - Body shop products  (lotion for women and bath kit for men)
• Secondary Sponsors, Groomsmen and Bridesmaids - Body shop products 
• Flower Girls and Bearers - Piggy Bank

  MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Cenomars -check
• NSO Authenticated Birth Certificate - check
• Marriage License - On hand
• Notarized letter stating that we'll be getting married in La Castellana - not  yet notarized

  DIY PROJECTS

• Growing up AVP - To be done by 1st week of November
• Invitation - Done. Some already distributed.
• Map/Direction Cards -Done
• Monogram -Done
• Place Cards -To be done by last week of October
• Save the Date Cards -Done. Already distributed.
• Save the date video 
• Table Numbers - To be done by last week of October
• Thank you card - To be done by last week of October
• Wedding cord -Done
• Wedding Program Printout - Program flow to be finalized with Ellen
• WYB Cards - Done. Already distributed.
• Coins - One more coin to collect

  BRIDE and GROOM's ACCESSORIES

• Shoes - checked 
• Perfume - checked

  PENDING ITEMS

• RTW barong for kids
• Bridal Car
• Body form
• Screen projector?
• Accommodation for my relatives from the province
• Crew Meals
• Bridal Jewelries
• Preps dress for me and Jay
• Underwears. Haha! 
• Unity Candle
• Hair Accessories
• Wrappers for the entou give aways

New Member of Jay and Kate Team: Ellen Celis-Timbol

Since our OTD coordinator, Ms. Cecille Maglalang also does hosting, we initially decided to get her for our emcee as well. But last month we (90% of the decision came from me and 10% from Jay. LOL) decided to replace her as an emcee so she could fully supervise the whole wedding. I'm glad that when I emailed her she was okay with the changes.

Upon getting Jay's approval I immediately pinged Ellen and asked her if she's still available on the 20th of November. I felt relieved when she nodded, honestly she's the only emcee I had in mind since she has the most affordable rate among those hosts who are getting high recommendations in w@w. Plus I really wanted to meet her in person because she also happened to be ate Sarj's (my spiritual shepherd here in SG) close friend and according to her we have a lot of things in common.

But on the onset I was actually in touch with her since she is also a former w@wie, I would randomly ping her asking for some advice about the wedding preps and on the wedding day itself.  She is so accessible, she sees to it that she would reply to my queries no matter how busy her day is. I'm sooo excited to sip a cup of coffee while sharing ideas with her. Ayy, bawal pala sa akin ang kape. haha!

And btw, she can be a wedding singer too! :)

Wedding Planner on Iphone

Hi Dears! You might already know this but I just found it out last night :) There are various applications on iphone that cater wedding planning. I tried to download about 10 countdown timers and checklists but i found these 2 applications most useful among others:

1. my OK! Wedding

Aside from the checklist, countdown timer is also embedded from here.

You can finalize your guest list while at the MRT or while enjoying a cup of cappuccino at starbucks. Plus you can also arrange the seat plan and put their addresses for organization and ease of reference. Cool!

For ease of contact, you can also enter your wedding suppliers

 2. iBRIDE

Seductive bride :)))

I guess you could fully utilize this if you happen to get married either of the countries stated above

Here's a wedding checklist to monitor the movement of your preps, making it sure that you're still on track

We are still thinking if we'll be getting another projector. Also we still haven't reserved the accomodation of my relatives from Quirino province, hence the unchecked boxes.

You may want to put notes, like schedules for your meeting with the suppliers, etc..

A Testimony of God's Faithfulness

Photo grabbed from google images

Indeed, God once again has shown that His faithfulness with His words proves true.

Few months ago the whole team [at work] received an 'Applause Award' for our performance in the recently concluded project that is based in UK. The award came with a certificate and a cash prize. I was thankful and happy about the thought of  adding it up to our wedding budget.

I never knew at that time that my faith is about to be tested. The following Sunday the pastor has mentioned about raising funds for purchase of the new church location. It was challenging to let go of the money-especially that the wedding cost keeps on puffing out, while our wedding fund is getting drained but I decided to give my cash prize, thinking that God's church deserves it more.

Then a week later my lead told me during our performance discussion that I am promoted to Senior Application Developer from being an Application Developer. I couldn't contain my happiness, especially when I received my salary letter. The money I gave to the church has been tripled (plus 67 SGD na butal..hehe..)! And I'll be receiving the threefold increase monthly by just blessing the Lord once, take that! Really, i never expected that I'll be promoted this soon because I knew that I still have so much stuff to learn, but it was the Lord who made it happen. To thank Him for the blessing, I gave the church the first fruit of my increase. After a month, I was surprised with Jay's news that he also got promoted! What a blissful year for both of us! =)

This has taught me to trust God more. The bible said in Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Oh and by the way, Jay is also pretty much happy with his increase *wink*

Truly, when you bless the Lord, He will bless you even more. I give Him all the glory.

87 Days to Go Updates :)

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

• Ceremony and Reception Venue:  La Castellana (50% Paid) - Remaining balance + 10,000 php security deposit  + Electricity fee for Lights and Sound to be paid on October 20, 2011
• Caterer: Hizon's Catering -Final detailing done. Payment for additional waiters and scooper to be settled by first week of November. Will communicate with our planner Majo about the ceremony set up and cocktail drinks.
• Hotel for Preparations: G-Hotel - Fully paid. To inquire if they allow late check out
• Photographer: Atty. Raymond Fortun - 50% Paid. Prenup done. To inquire if he rents out bigger projector white screen.
• Videographer: Kris Matanguihan - Fully paid
• Wedding On The Day Coordinator - CSM Events. E-mailed Ms Cecille the program flow. Waiting for her reply
• String Quartet: Velvet Mood Musicale - E-mailed Sir Edwin the selection of songs. Inquired if they could play my bridal march. Still waiting for his reply.
• Lights and Sound : Rejectrew - Reservation paid. Remaining balance to be paid on the wedding day. To email Kuya Elmer the list of songs
• Couturier: Disenyo Pandi - Reservation Paid. Will go to divi on Sunday (August 28) to ask Ate Juvy for my first fitting. Measurements of 4 of my ento has not yet been taken.. **sighsss**
• Florist: Mang Boy Mahusay of Dangwa - 50% paid.
• Hair and Make Up Artist: Tin Galolo - Paid 3,500. Remaining balance (5,500) to be settled on the wedding day. Trial make up done.
• Emcee: Cecille Maglalang - No payment made yet

 WEDDING FAVORS

• For Parents - Beauty kit for moms. Still looking for fathers.
• For Primary Sponsors - Body shop products  (lotion for women and bath kit for men)
• Secondary Sponsors, Groomsmen and Bridesmaids - Body shop products 
• Flower Girls and Bearers - Piggy Bank

  MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Cenomars -On-hand
• NSO Authenticated Birth Certificate - On hand
• Marriage License - will apply tomorrow
• Notarized letter stating that we'll be getting married in La Castellana - none  yet

  DIY PROJECTS

• Invitation - will re-print tomorrow night :(

...to be continued, I ran out of time haha! I need to go home to prepare my things for my flight tonight.. hafta go, bye! =)

Pre-Wedding Jitters?

Photo grabbed from google image

Okay, so we've been preparing for the wedding for about a year already but I can't help but still feel a little worried about the big day. I know that every bride and groom would have to experience pre-wedding jitters and I've got to remind myself always about this. Funny that I've also had some wedding nightmares - I got panicky during the ceremony because I did not do my wedding vow, the flowers were not delivered, we ran out of budget due to the unexpected growing number of guests, I've gate crashed to one of w@wies' wedding. Haha!

But I always thank the Lord for reassuring me again and again and again that He is in control - that we just need to commit Him everything. I'd like to share these verses that I've been meditating since the other night hoping that like me, you'll also be encouraged and be blessed by His words:

Daniel 10:12
"Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words"

Daniel 10:19 
"O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.”

Jay's Visit Part 4 - Invites, Friends and Zoo

Jay has been an asset in putting the finishing touche of our invites. While I was working at the office, he was patiently and uncomplainingly doing the invitation seals at home. But unfortunately we'll be re-printing the invites (story on my next blog) **sad** . But I'd like to commend Jay for helping me out, especially that he's not really into details. Mind you, he seals faster than I do. =)

August 12, Friday. We met Jay's former team mates in his project. Most of them are already working here in Singapore. I'm sure when Jay eventually comes here he won't feel too sad, as some of his friends will just be some kilometers away. :)

And oh, here's a photo of Jay and according to him, his first love, Marvin. I wonder how will Gianne, Marvin's girlfriend, react. Haha!

Jay's eldest sister together with her friends also happened to visit here in Singapore. I was able to secure a free Singapore Zoo pass for them and for my college friends. It took us a long walk to visit all animals (we haven't seen all of them actually) but I hope they had fun. Thank you CSC for this benefit! =)

Jay's Visit - Part 3: Stamp and Steamboat

I initially had no plans of personalizing our tissue paper, but when I saw the customized tissue paper while browsing Sis Sugar's wedding photos, I just felt envious! :) I wanna have it too! So when i met her I asked who their supplier was. I was surprised to learn that they just DIYed it (Rubber Stamp + Tissue Paper bought from IKEA). I was ecstatic when Angelo, Sugar's husband, divulged where did they acquire the customized stamp. SO wednesday, August 10, I told Jay to meet me at Bugis MRT because we urgently need to go somewhere. LOL.

 

The price of the stamps vary on their sizes. But they currently have a promo of 10 SGD for the big stamp (reg price is 32 SGD). Promo runs until December 31, 2011.

August 11, 2011 - We dined out at hmmm.. I-can't-remember Restaurant for a steamboat/buffet dinner. We were able to avail a 50% discount voucher from www.groupon.sg. The food was okay but the place was not so nice. Anyhow we managed to finish it.

Jay's Visit - Part 2: Flowers and Barbecue ;)

August 8, 2011 - Jay cleaned my room, picked me from my office and bought me flowers.. Sweet! <3

 

August 9, 2011 - Barbecue party at east coast with my colleagues. We had a hard time building the fire because the wind was really blowing hard. The fire starters also wouldn't work. Out of the blue I remembered to pray 'Lord sana mag-apoy na, gutom na po kasi ako.. :( ' then at an instant one of the coals began flaming! In a pleasant way, I boasted to Jay 'kita mo beb, ang lakas ko kay Lord!' =)

Jay's Visit - Part 1: Batam Trip ^__^

Howdy friends? Was too lethargic to blog these days. Boooh!

Last Aug 5 - 14 Jay went here to visit me. Well, he had no choice, he's got 33 vacation leaves and his company had forced him to take 13 away as those won't be carried over the next fiscal year. He's already been to almost all tourist destinations here in Singapore so I had to plan for a budget friendly out of the country trip-there's this site, www.deal.com.sg, that I've been watching out for quite some time already. Fortunately we were able to avail a 2D1N Batam trip worth 75 SGD per pax. The promotion is inclusive of 2 way ferry ticket, 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast, City tour, seafood lunch and1 hour whole body massage. Good steal lah!

Date: August 6-7, 2011

Indonesian currency, Rupiah. With just 145 SGD (5000 php)  you can become a millionaire in Indonesia. 

We stayed at the 7th floor of the hotel

Watching TV with tito Robert, tita Grace and kuya Joseph after taking our lunch

here's one of my fave shots, with my hands shouting HE'S MINE! =)

Indonesia's version of timezone

Our first day was a free-and-easy day. We were thrilled when the tour guide told us that it would only cost us 2.5 SGD (90 php) to see a movie. We've agreed to watch 3 to 4 movies but to our dismay there were only 2 movies that were shown-and we already have seen them couple of month ago. Kaya pala mura. Hehe. =)

So we ended up singing at a videoke bar

havin' some talk over a cup of coffee at the hotel lobby

Jay ordered hot chocolate, while i requested for a milk which dragged me to bed 30 minutes later

Before going down for breakfast I asked him to pose for the camera. This is our 1st monthsary picture and one of the few monthsaries that we're together...Smile!!

Jay's not so happy with the breakfast..no food victored his taste buds :(

Tita and I playing around :)

Taken inside the tour bus. It was freezing cold but for the sake of good photos I had to take off my jacket =)

Jay buying pasalubong

Forgot to mention, the package is also inclusive of 20% off shopping voucher at this souvenir shop

Maniature houses situated at Golden Beach Resort

Scary skulls!!!

We were served with sumptuous 7-course seafood meal at Golden Prawn 333 restaurant. 

Our Batam getaway jumpshot

1-hour massage. Happy to see Jay's enjoying. The trip's all worth it.. :)

Ginger tea after massage

We ended our holiday with a delish dinner at Queens Restaurant situated along the Sentosa Boardwalk in Singapore. The place was introduced to me by my colleagues. The ambiance was very great! It will really put your feet up while enjoying the scenic view. Thank you Lord for this life! =)

i took a roasted chicken with mashed potato. Really luscious!!

Jay's food - crispy fish fillet. I love the potato fries!

Wrapping up our 2-day vacay with one more cam click. Do we so look tired? :)