Red light, Green light ( A Just Like Ours Story)

Freeze baby, freeze freeze baby....
Our world stopped for a moment as we took another leap in fulfilling our mission and enhancing our skills. This was a just like ours event. The moment was felt like eternity.

It came a perfect time. Since ber months are the busiests for any wedding supplier, we thought it was impossible to push through with what we have on mind. David and I have been preparing for our Annual Team Building and Skills Enhancement workshop for months but our schedule just couldn't permit it. Until a client has moved their November weekend wedding a little later this year, we have embraced the opportunity to block the date for our own event.

The story and the pictures will somehow tell you how serious ( or maybe not heheheh) my team is with their mission to make every event memorable.

November 11, 2006 around 3 pm. After a long morning of buying some stuff for the kitchen and other team building materials, we headed towards ortigas to check in at the Discovery suites. I asked David to take care of it since I made a reservation several nights before. I had to rush to the Podium to scout for souvenir items to be given to the team but found none. After approximately 20 minutes, I received a text from David asking why the room looked quite small, without a kitchen and old. I said "HUH?". When I reached the hotel room, it was a total dismay. It is really small, without a kitchen and smells old. I dialed immediately to the front desk and asked which type of room did they give us. They said a junior Suite. I specifically reserved for a1 br suite, 70 sqm, with kitchen. She said, there is no available 1 br suite. I was furious heheheh. To cut the story short, I called Linden to ask if my reservation with them has been gotten by another client already and they said it is still open. So we transferred to Linden immediately and it was an awesome stay.

Start of the day was to prepare dinner and module materials while waiting for other team members to arrive. I said to myself and promised that this will be a real workshop cum team building. We have prepared a module based on the needs and bonding activities to gel the team.
There were KAPERS ( scouts will understand what this means) assigned for the 3 day workshop as the group is divided into 2 to alternately prepare for the meals. They have to cook something based on what we have in the kitchen. The dinner was a sinigang and shanghai fest. Ang sarap kumain ng sama-sama.
Even the guys have to help out. They prepared the veggies while eating merienda hehehe.

Me and David, on the other hand, prepared the area for training and other workshop materials. I have done this many times but this seemed to be one of the hardest. ( Not the folding duh ) The actual module took me several sleepless nights. We wanted things to be perfect. :)


House Rules? Yeah we have them too. Bawal lumabas sa bahay ni Kuya and Ate, Bawal ang pork beans hehehe, Just put your mobile phones in silent mode and you may get to use it during breaks only, phones and watches have to be surrendered for the duration of the workshop.

Start of the activity was to enhance their openness to each other and the whole group, to develop their sense of awareness and focus to the workshop. Expectations from the funniest "it's going be a stay in an airconditioned room the whole day" to the seriously taken " to be able to lead and serve" was given and shared.


They had a chance to mingle with each other but seriously took every lessons by heart. We had the training at a space inside the bedroom with Manila paper and the works. They dressed up comfortably and be themsleves from start to finish.
Every end of the session had a battlecry and message for teammates. At one point, they had to say " Ang galing mo talaga" with a gesture. Some even made it more fun by dressing up in a different manner and said, "ang galing mo talaga bakla or ang galing mo talaga sister". Those were 2 days of limitless possibilities.

We have also challenged their creativity and teamwork by letting them create a special bride and groom's attire ala Christmas Theme using green and red crepe paper, glue, masking tape and scissors. They have chosen our liaison officer Rommel and landscape artist Baby as their models. Jun Pimentel, being our head designer had a very bold idea for the designs :)

The finished product? we even had enough materials for our uniform. This is how crazy we could get.... :p ( making faces, goofing around, laughing out loud, acting effortlessly)

Syempre we had some singing moments too. What have we belted out? Karma Chameleon, Isang Lahi, Jingle Bells and the like hahaha no kidding.

This is how we do our wake up calls for the nth time pag ayaw pa din tumayo. :)

Oh yeah, we are health buffs. This is our Ala Fitness First Early morning dance class. Todo Bigay.

The second day was all about skill enhancement. Each member of the team had a chance to share their knowledge and skills from basic make up and retouch ( Jack even asked her hubby Jhoelle as a model so that the girls may be able to have a clearer view. Walang sinabi si Paolo Ballesteros ala BEBOT sa ganda nito)

It was a long day. But at the end, we vowed to stick with each other no matter what. We work together, dream together, reach our goals together. We make it happen just like ours.

And this is how we have promised to commit in making every impossible goal achievable, every difficult task done, every moment memorable.

How will it be possible?

Imagine 6 people standing on a 1 foot by 5 inches piece of paper.

It was us. It happened. And we dance..... :)

Covered - In & Out (Lejan and Jerilyn's wedding)

Last night, I happened to check pictures from previous events waiting to be posted. Aside from the little sadness that I have gained a lot weight since last year (talk about being vain), I suddenly felt the need to write. So many stories to tell, so little time.

So I decided to post one and chose Lejan and Jerilyn's wedding to begin with .

This photo is courtesy of Wally Gonzales

Theirs was fairy tale made in heaven. Perfect match. Soulmates as they described each other, Lejan and Jerilyn finally sealed their vows with a kiss and a tight embrace on August 5, 2006.

Start of the day at Shangri-la, we were amazed to see the wedding gown very much covered as if a princess will be wearing it for a grand ball. It just arrived from the hotel laundry where we had it pressed. Since we were the first to arrive, David had the chance to photograph it before it was removed.

It was a gown she had dreamed of. Something that fitted her description of "wanting to feel the magic on that certain day". The designer on our team, Jun Pimentel made it possible. The beadworks were inspired by the craftsmanship of a gown design for an indian princess since the designer found Jerilyn's features very regal.

Being particular to details, the couple also made sure that everything was well coordinated, the groom's attire of no exemption. Aside from the suit that was bought in Dubai, the personal items of the groom were handpicked by both of them before they flew back to Manila. The male entourage also had similar neckties in old rose.
The day started with final instructions and some phone calls from friends who extended their regards and wishes.

The whole team was delighted to see the excitement in Jerilyn's eyes. The lack of sleep( as any other bride would experience) did not prevent her from looking radiant as expected. Eddie Bruan made sure that her updo specification was followed. In fact, Jerilyn even bought a copy of the updo she wanted during her trial make up.

Le Jan on the other hand, carried an aura of lightedness. Yet, he wanted to make sure of one important thing- That his vows were written legibly and made sure that an extra copy was not forgotten. I can not forgot his final instructions "Queen, ikaw na bahala ah. I just want this wedding to be memorable and special for Jerilyn". I guess it did become memorable, not just for Jerilyn but for him as well.

We had a great time working with them from the very beginning even if they were both on-shore. Lejan and Jerilyn were in Dubai the whole course of the wedding preparation. We communicated via email and once in a while, whenever Jerilyn had a flyback to Manila, we would meet. Their families were easy to deal with, very warm and appreciative and treated us like their own. We were very thankful for their trust. During the event, we were more eager to make everyone feel comfortable and enjoy the moment that they deserve. I was enormously happy that even the kids ( Lejan's niece and nephew) gamely posed everytime they see a photographer around. Manang- mana kay tito boss! ( their term of endearment for Lejan)

It was also great to have worked again with one of the better photographers around, Wally Gonzales. Having him covered the wedding made us worry free knowing that important shots will not be missed. His energy and enthusiasm were very much contagious. Mauuna pang mapagod ang couple kesa magsawa sya sa pagpicture. :) Whenever he saw an opportunity, he grabbed it. His ideas were overflowing and he made sure that the couple felt comfortable after a few shots.

To view some of his offical wedding shots, please visit Lejan and jerilyns website - http://lejan-jerilyn.weddingannouncer.com

The christian ceremony and reception were both done at the Venue 1 of Fernwood gardens.I was relaxed since I was sure that the team of Josiah's Catering will be able to settle the table arrangements after the ceremony on time. They did. Ambilis nga. About 10 minutes after the rites, the venue was transformed into a magical garden reception. Guests enjoyed their meal and the overflowing booze.

It rained so hard during the reception program, in and out of venue 1. Outside, blessings from heaven started to pour midway of the program. Inside, people were shedding tears of joy as the mothers shared their messages, as the couple rendered songs for each other and as they had their first dance as if the angels were tying an invisible knot around them.

Everybody had their cameras ready and captured those rare moments. And everybody meant everybody. Including of course, Lejan's very suppotive brother in law, Sonny.

After the program came the most awaited party as guests danced their way all night to the music of The Sentimental groove's all in one band.

The party was enjoyed ................

.... by guests of all cultures. ( Some of Lejan and Jerilyn's guests flew from different parts of the globe just to witness their union )

- by guests of all ages

- by friends who have remained loyal despite the distance.

It was a great night. A night when dreams were fulfilled, tears fell, rain poured so hard, wishes granted, families and friends reunited. As I have mentioned during the program, "No amount of words will be able to describe how blessed this couple is". It was a day when eveything got covered. Somewhere, somehow God's magical hands took charge.

Baby Ice

Our family got bigger yesterday. :)







Justin Ice, 1st born child of Jackie and Jhoelle was born yesterday at 5:44 AM. Anlaking bata. Imagine 8.1 lbs, 48 cms. And take note ha. Normal delivery - Ang lupet mo Jacke!!! So proud of you.






Pero ang cute cute. Look-alike ng daddy nya.
Ampula pula pa. Maputi sigurado yan. :0



He got Jhoelle's nose ( at talagang nose ang nauna ), lips - that's how Jhoelle's lips look like when he's sleeping. Hmm, mukhang nakuha yata kay Jacke yung eyes, eyebrows, eyelashes ( meron ka ba nun Jacke?)

We are really waiting for him to grow a lot bigger and a little older so that we can have our group pictorial when his dad arrives.
I used to remember another staff saying " Ah kaya Justin ang ipapangalan dyan kasi " Justin Like Ours " . :)

Fab, Fun, Feverish (Fed and Ria's Wedding)

Fed and Ria

They are lucky to have found each other, we are luckier to have found them. One of the coolest couples I have met, Fed and Ria made their event a spectacular celebration of love and a lot more.

Fed, seemed to be relaxed the whole morning of the preparation. His whole family was there to crack jokes, watch television and even take a nap with him. Come ceremony time, I was stunned with his overflowing emotion. (I happen to have the chance to attend the start of the ceremonies since the reception is just beside the church)

While Ria, on the other hand looked as relaxed as Fed, her suite was much busier having been filled with some guests and suppliers. After the make up( by Ara F.) and wearing of her gown( by the ever reliable Veluz). She looked fabulous!

Looked like everyone would like to make sure that the entourage flowers were fresh and complete ( Nice flowers, by the way from Mang Boy Mahusay-Mahusay talaga). The staff who is counting the flowers is Jackie - 9 months pregnant! We are actually waiting for the newest Just Like Ours Baby to come anytime within the week .

Let me tell you how they pulled off a stylish wedding....


They chose a church that's special and near to their community. Bamboo organ is a small historic church which is fit for an intimate wedding. It is quite warm in the afternoon. The couple however, prepared fans for the guests. The coordinating staff gave these upon entrance. The church picture shown here was for another wedding. The floral arrangement during Fed and Ria's was a lot better!!!! Ria's dad made some bamboo tall flower pillars and these were filled with white flowers and dragon snaps. We don't have the actual pics though since David was busy with the ceremonies.

The reception venue is at St. Joseph's gym ( gym inside the school beside the bamboo organ ). It looked very plain but with the aid of an event stylist ( Lala of Interplay ), a great transformation was made for the venue.

This is how it looked like during the actual event!!!! The mood lights really made the difference. The drop down swags of white cloth covered the stage ( because we never wanted their reception to look like a graduation ceremony. :)

The car was decorated with some ornaments and a pair of teddy bears dressed as bride and groom.

This decoration actually helped us pass through a slight traffic near the church. The traffic officer were even amazed, my staff heard him say to other drivers " O, padaanin muna natin ang ikakasal at baka mainitan ang mga teddy bear!"

The reception was made more special with a beer keg! Parang October fest. :)

Fed and Ria's best buds had the time of their lives as well, the bride singing Can't take my Eyes off You for the groom, opened the floor for dancing and a night of fun. A professional dance instructress helped their buddies unleash their dancing prowess.

The event made us meet some familiar faces as well. Tim, Ria's Matron of Honor was also a Just Like Ours bride. We actually met Ria through her wedding.

The night ended with lots of laughter, tired legs wanting to dance more and 30 liters of beer finished off - we actually had to order some more!!!!...

And did I ever mention I was very sick that time? Oh I did not even mind it. Fun and fever went along quite well. :)