“Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.”—Tony Robbins
Focus on what to do next! After months of emotionally freeing myself from other people’s behaviors, I realize I have control only over my own actions. Now, I make better choices on the people I want to keep in my life. Having a better grip of my reality, I set the course I want because there isn’t a second life. There is no “life B.” There is always a way out.
The faster one realizes their worth and power to change, the sooner one will attract miracles and positive outcomes. Yesterday’s burdens are released to the universe, and creating a fresh start will enhance growth and forward gains. Appreciating the beautiful journey with its highs and lows is what life is all about. There are some lessons that we will never understand until they walk out of our life. Only then will we truly blossom into our truest potential.
Weddings are always the happiest moments in couples’ lives. I have celebrated my own wedding anniversaries in the past with the most amazing theme settings and incredible entertainment. Nowadays, I am happy just to attend weddings and marvel at all the beautiful reception flowers and table setting.
The country’s most sought-after event stylist Gideon Hermosa has been so busy with so many events and weddings. We chatted over the recent wedding of my niece, Franchesca Imperial-Horibata, at the Manila Polo Club. We reminisced about my 25th year wedding anniversary at the same venue exactly five years ago. As I am in the process of getting my annulment, I told Gideon that I am still open to other forms of celebration in the future!
Total joy
The wedding of Franchesca and Hori Horibata was truly a memorable occasion that was centered on family. The heartfelt ceremony had everyone in total joy and laughter as Hori was so excited to marry his beautiful bride. Congratulations to the parents of the groom, Takeshi and Benchie Horibata, and parents of bride, Windy and Farah Imperial.
When Franchesca and Hori met on a random Saturday morning in 2022, they had no idea they were going to stumble into what we would easily call a modern fairy-tale. Discovering their similarities, like love for family, golf and food, they quickly fell in love. After two years of happily sharing their new adventures together, it was to no surprise to anyone when the couple decided to finally tie the knot.
Intimate, emotional, elegant and magical were a few of the many words used by guests to describe the wonderful and love-filled wedding that celebrated Franchesca and Hori. The bride chose the church where she grew up attending mass, and chose the reception to be in a close-by location where she grew up playing with her cousins and friends. The groom invited his family from all over the world to celebrate with them, making it a lovely night where two worlds were able to meet in harmony.
They say time is the only way to test if love is true, but what can time do other than prove what already exists? Franchesca and Hori’s matrimony was a lovely display of how deep and how real love can be. There was neither boastfulness nor insincerity, but only humility and love as they stood in front of God and their closest family and friends to profess their devotion to one another. With beautiful speeches from their families, dances prepared by the bride and groom, fabulous decorations and wonderfully curated dishes for all the guests, the wedding was perfect and could not have been celebrated in a better, more special way.
Age doesn’t matter
Gideon also did the stunning wedding arrangements of Batangas Gov. Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas and lawyer Angelica Austria Chua-Mandanas. I got to know the lovely couple on a recent trip to Hong Kong, and it was wonderful to see their romantic dynamics despite their age gap of 48 years.
Although everyone seemed to be fixated on their age gap, the couple is willing to take quality over quantity and spend the happiest time of their blissful life together.
After all, they were both single, with no legal impediments between them. He’s everything that she wanted and more. According to Angelica, dating is hard for strong independent women these days, much more so for a lawyer/partner. Luckily, the governor of Batangas was not intimidated by this established professional, and took his shot last Valentine’s.
Angelica told me that many were surprised that they got married fast, as she revealed in the wedding vows, since they only started dating when he asked her to be his Valentine this year. Their first date was Feb. 25 and they were officially together on March 8. The wedding was set two months after, on May 8.
The wedding preparation was even shorter, as they only engaged a wedding coordinator (Events by Amanda Tirol) on April 22, or 16 days before the wedding.
Of course, Angelica’s priorities were the gown (Boom Sason) and hair and makeup (Annika Dayrit). Coordination with the caterers (Juan Carlo, through its founder Alex del Rosario) and with the stylist (House of Gideon) was done remotely, as Alex and Gideon were in Canada and the United States, respectively, at that time.
Other suppliers like the photographers (Nice Print Photography), host (JC Alelis), lights and sounds (Lukas Xavier Events Production), cocktails (Manila Craft) and entertainment/ saxophone (Mark Vincent Dimayuga, also a Batangueño) were booked next.
Of course, they also had help from the people from the provincial capitol, who coordinated with the church and venue, and sent the invitations. The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Batangas extended their well-wishes to the couple by passing a resolution offering the use of the Batangas Provincial Capitol as venue, to showcase the province, provided that no public funds will be used.
As of this writing, Angelica is just happy being first lady of Batangas and will continue to work as a partner in a Makati law firm. The governor is on his last term, and plans to run as vice governor of Batangas in 2025.
Clearly, love wins! No matter what age or gender, love knows no boundaries. INQ
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