Looking back once more—the plans were set, the wheels were moving, and it was all coming into fruition. In between the costume fittings, meetings and planning, we also had to take a break and have a little fun. Our fun was in the form of a “surprise” baTchelorette party.

 

“T” for Tessa? Twenty? Totally Titillating?

 

Nope, it was for batch, as my dear batchmates from Assumption High School 1981 hatched the party plans.

 

I was whisked away by Vina Francisco in her white steed (the steed being her car) decorated with cute mini posters announcing to the world that I was “Getting Married… Again!” as we drove around the metro to get to my party.

 

I was completely blown away by the party room of Victoria Court Suites (1 Escarpment Road, Pasig). The Cirque room was whimsical and definitely fulfilled my inner ringmaster fantasy! My ladies-in-waiting were equally thrilled with the place and were very impressed with the food.

 

Thank you so much to manager Tanya Llana and her team for ensuring that we were all happy! Thank you also to Sonja Ocampo of Cupcakes by Sonja who created a Tessa-themed bachelorette cake.

 

Dance rehearsals

 

After that fun party, it was back to work—with work defined as dance rehearsals! For what is a royal party without a royal dance? However, this was no ordinary cotillion-type dance; we wanted some pizzazz to the production number so, naturally, we called for the services of the royal choreographer Batche Tan, who was also our choreographer for my Assumption Batch ’81’s Silver Jubilee celebration.

 

For three weeks, 20 couples, made up of my dearest friends, tirelessly rehearsed at Mom’s house. Note, too, that these wonderful friends (Rajo, Malu, Carlo, Digzy, Franco, Nikki, Joby, Vina, Bobby, Chatty, Bryan, Marta, Arsenic, Crispy, Keren, Angelette, Charlie, Leanna, Paolo, Ria, Anton, Leah, Benjie, Isabel, Victor, Divine, Jojo, Kowboy, Nanette, Nix, Rosan, Joey, Rosette, Alex, Joey C., Frankie, Isabel, Bastie and Marisun) were all excited to wear costumes while twirling and dancing.

 

Their boundless energy impressed me, and I’ve never seen 40 people concentrated in learning dance steps. It helped that we had delicious nourishment and snacks so generously given to us by Buddy’s, Azuthai and Milky Way.

 

Nostalgia

 

As to be expected, D-day brought on a flurry of people who worked from the night before to bring the event as close to perfection as possible. Danny K of Salon Privat did my hair while Barbara Bennett worked her maquillage for my first look.

 

There was a sense of nostalgia and awe when I arrived at the same church Dennis and I got married in 20 years ago. It was as if we were transported to a magical place, thanks to the breathtaking floral arrangements and design by Robert Blancaflor.

 

I have to thank another couple for making the floral arrangements happen: Macoy and Tina, who were the couple getting married just before us, and who were kind and generous enough to share their setup time with us.

The lighting set the mood in the church, thanks to Olie Cruz and his team. He tirelessly worked between the church and the reception venue like a precise military strategist! He timed the haze precisely so that when I stepped through the front doors, it seemed like I was coming in from a glorious cloud.

 

That was topped only by the two beautiful horses flanking me in the background that were generously lent to us by Butch and Cris Albert and handled by Adrian Garcia.

 

Generous ‘ninongs,’ ‘ninangs’

 

Of course, the direwolves (in the forms of an Alaskan Malamute and three huskies) made their way on the aisle together with the children. One would think it truly was a wedding in King’s Landing!

 

We are thankful to our Ninongs and Ninangs who came in costume and shared their time, and were generous in helping us in our cause: Nonoy Alindogan, Gretchen Barretto, Felix Ang, Vicki Belo, Roberto Delgado, Mary de Leon, Babes Oreta, Beth Fernando, Manny Pangilinan, Mila Lacson, Philip Romualdez, Maribel Ongpin, Macario Rufino, Xandra Ramos-Padilla, Harley Sy, Kaye Tinga, Manny Tanjangco, Ruthy Vera, Donnie Tantoco III and Kit S. Zobel.

 

The groomsmen (Bryan Prieto, Tyrone Valdes and Luis Carlo Antonio Romualdez) were dashing, and the bridesmaids (Cris Albert, Malu Gamboa, Eileen Juan and Rosan Cruz) were beautiful. The junior bridesmaids (Audrey Louise Prieto, Annika Valdes, Ina Ongsiako, Tara Imperial, Mia Laurel and Kai Yulo) were stunning, while the flower girls (Athena Valdes, Addie Fernandez, Lorin Bektas, Lia Veluz, Mica Ongsiako, Bella Albert, Jailey Fernando, Bella Concepcion and Chiara Mijares) were adorable.

 

Our little dragons, aka the ring, bible and rosary and coin bearers (Alexander Maximillian Romualdez, Benjamin Alejandro Vicente Romualdez, Gabriel Ramon Prieto, Jose Vicente Prieto, Pablo Alejandro Prieto, respectively) incited a paparazzi-like scene when they walked down the aisle.

 

We also especially chose our secondary sponsors for the cord (Paolo and Ria Prieto), candle (Arsenic Laurel and Joanna Duarte) and the veil (Eric Recto and Jojo Ongsiako) not just because they are our friends, but because they, too, serve as inspiration for relationships and love.

 

Emotional ceremony

 

It was an emotional ceremony; it was definitely a celebration of love but in all its permutations. Dennis and I were celebrating our love for each other; our love for our families that are brought together by our union; and the love we have for our children.

 

What made the celebration even more emotional was the offering of a model home. This was the center of our celebration: building 20 homes for 20 families affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in Tacloban—one for each year Dennis and I have been married.

 

Nothing can compare to being with people whom I love and respect, and have been there for Dennis and me through these 20 years. The love they had for us filled the church and, for that, I am nothing but grateful.