“The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well.” —Hippocrates
Let’s talk about love this June, the most popular marrying month of the year. Summer brings a time of relaxation and vacation mode for many, so it’s not surprising that June is one of the most popular times to tie the knot.
June brides were more popular then, but now, December has become the preferred month to marry since the weather is cooler and family and friends come home for the holidays, as well.
In my family, June is our top choice. My incredible parents, Alex and Marixi Prieto, got married 61 years ago on June 17. June 18 is the wedding anniversary of my son, Bryan Prieto, and his awesome wife, Tinkay Crespo-Prieto. They celebrated their fourth milestone yesterday with their closest friends. And on June 24, it would have been our 28th wedding anniversary.
Among the friends of Bryan and Tinkay, longtime partners Mon Dinglasan and Maan Del Carmen finally celebrated their union in breathtaking Lagen Island, El Nido in Palawan. In a Filipino-inspired, environmentally sustainable and intimate setting, Mon and Maan wed on June 4, after the COVID surge last January postponed their wedding.
The couple chose local suppliers from Palawan (videographer Mike Guayco Films, photographer Studio Fotogold and Miko De Jesus, hair and makeup by Angelou Lalican). Cha Andrada Events, in partnership with El Nido Resorts, planned and dressed up their beautiful beach wedding.
Maan walked down the aisle in her Kat Corpus piña dress, carefully hand-embroidered with seashells, and her bridal party wore breezy tailor-fit long dresses from Tantease in blush, sage and silver gray tones. Mon wore a powder blue suit by Jayjay Reyes from New Hampshire Tailor Place Haberdashery. The four-day event was truly magical and definitely one for the books!
On the other side of the globe, Tim Ng and Camille Tantoco held an intimate wedding celebration in Las Vegas. My fave couple, Donnie and Crickette Tantoco, was so delighted to celebrate their daughter’s milestone with just family and a few friends.
Healing retreat
June is indeed a month of love, and as I continue my healing journey, I still choose to embrace love. This past week, my attention was diverted to self-love, compassion, healing and release during a three-day healing retreat with Tina Baron of Buhay Retreats.
In 2019, Tina commenced offering wellness and holistic retreats for self-growth and awareness, offering various self-care rituals such as yoga, sound and scents sessions and curated treatments.
Her first Buhay Retreat was in the beautiful beach of Salaya located in Dauin, Negros Oriental. Lead by Bry Reyes and Shiela Matias of Rocket Yoga Philippines, the session included movement, sharing, art, good food and good vibes, with snorkeling with turtles in Apo Island.
On her invitation, I attended the latest Buhay Retreat at The Venta Suites (@theventasuites on Instagram). Tina helped nourish our spirit, mind and body through body flows and movement, journaling exercises, sound and scents treatments, moon bathing, and heartfelt and insightful sharing among us participants.
Held during a full moon, the retreat was illuminated with the energy of endless possibilities. Prior to the moon bathing, thunder and lighting and strong rain fell but completely cleared the skies.
The cofacilitator was licensed medical practitioner Luna Marie M. Garcia RN, CBP, a quantum energy physician. With an educational background in biology, nursing and medicine, she began her alternative healing journey in 2017 when she earned her certifications in microcurrent point stimulation therapy for chronic pain management and scar release, BodyTalk, BodyTalk Access and Mindscape. Her healing modalities are also complemented by pranic healing, Reiki, Millennium Method, therapeutic essential oils and first aid homeopathy.
A natural healer, Luna uses her medical training and intuitive skills to identify the root causes of mental and health concerns. She uses Western and Eastern techniques when healing. The combination of ancient wisdom and modern technology makes her unique.
Focus on the Big Picture
Apart from Tina’s and Luna’s sessions, I enjoyed my first crystal singing bowls session with Rachel Jamiro. (Follow @RachelJamiro, @hushangelsnaturals, @soundsofsunlight on Instagram.)
A lawyer and philosopher by training, her love of learning has led her to study different sound and energy healing modalities such as quantum alchemy crystal bowl sound healing, gong therapy, aromatherapy, vibrational raindrop technique, color lights therapy, vibrational auricular technique, biofield tuning, angelic healing, seraphim blueprint and Reiki. Rachel is driven by her desire to empower others to pursue a life of passion and abundance. Among the wealth of wisdom and inspiration gained, I took home a sense of greater purpose and focus on my Big Picture that is increasingly authentic and empowering. I am more grounded and ready to head strongly to my Point B.
And between all these journey points, I am joyful in the company of new and old friends.
For the birthday of dear friend Anton Barretto, we dined and wined in Pardon My French (10 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati; tel. 0917-8230091), the newest entertainment spot in Makati. It brings dining and live music back to Manila’s social scene.
Enjoy an evening out with friends and be entertained by local musical talents. Each night, a different band takes center stage, so days of the week go from having jazz, to Latin, to disco, blues and beyond. Pardon My French is outfitted with a professionally designed stage and sound system, which will no doubt have you tripping the light fantastic. Trust me, life is always a celebration. Go and live it! INQ
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