Here’s an excerpt from an article which appeared in Ricky Lo’s FUNFARE column in The Phil. Star:

Three weeks ago, the new set of officers of the OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit) of which Ogie Alcasid is president, took their oath of office before Pres. Noynoy for whom Ogie wrote two songs, one for the campaign plug and another (in collaboration with Noel Cabangon) for P-Noy’s inauguration as the 15th President of the Philippines last June 30 at the Quirino Grandstand. That was when Ogie invited P-Noy to be a member of the wedding entourage.

“I asked P-Noy to be one of our ninongs but he said mas bagay kung isa na lang siya sa mga abay.”

Reminded about a Filipino superstition (pamahiin) that an unmarried man or a woman who acts as principal sponsor runs the risk of delaying his/her own marriage or not marrying at all, Ogie was surprised. “I didn’t know that.”

The singer/songwriter cannot be entirely faulted for the faux pas. Afterall,  our country’s first bachelor President, back when he was still a presidential candidate, stood as a Principal Sponsor (replacing his mother Cory who was the original choice before she passed away) during the wedding of his running-mate Mar Roxas to broadcaster Korina Sanchez. Noynoy reportedly felt awkward for the role, being single and younger than Roxas.^[1] Prior to his inauguration, the President-elect (partnered with his sister, Pinky Aquino-Abellada) served as wedding sponsor to an LP partymate’s wedding.^[2]

To avoid such sticky situations, Filipinos should be aware of  the various superstitions we have to avoid offending the sensibilities of the people who may still believe them.  We have listed some Pinoy wedding superstitions so that soon-to-weds will have a general idea.

Going back to the above quoted article: Ricky Lo further asked if the soon-to-weds would also invite P-Noy’s girlfriend, Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad, to be P-Noy’s partner. Ogie said, “We haven’t decided yet. It’s up to Regine to choose the lady secondary sponsors.” [read full article]

Although a Malacañang wedding is not a part of P-Noy’s priorities^[3], he definitely doesn’t want to jinx it either.

In his keynote speech at the oathtaking, P-Noy’s took the chance to respond to Ogie’s wedding invitation, “Sa Disyembre, ako ang magiging abay nyo. Pagdating naman ng panahon, kayo ang magiging ninong at ninang ko.” ^[4]

December 22, 2010 is the rumored altar date for Ogie Alcasid & Regine Velasquez. The couple has not officially confirmed it.

The Order of National Artists (Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts; namely, Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film and Broadcast Arts, and Architecture and Allied Arts. The order is jointly administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation by both institutions.

President Arroyo has recently signed the proclamation honoring seven individuals who have made substantial contributions to the development of Philippine art.  The 2009 National Artists, as announced by the Office of the President, are as follows: Manuel P. Urbano (aka Manuel Conde) for his great contribution in the field of film and broadcast arts (posthumous); Lazaro A. Franscisco for literature (posthumous); Federico Aguilar Alcuaz for visual arts, paintings sculpture and mixed media; Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez for theater; Magno Jose ‘Carlo’ Caparas for visual arts and films; Francisco Bobby Manosa for architecture; and Jose ‘Pitoy’ Moreno for fashion design.

Pitoy Moreno is only the second artist to be recognized in field fashion design, the first being Ramon Valera who was conferred National Artist posthumously in 2006.

Dubbed as the fashion czar of Asia, Pitoy is renowned for his beadwork, embroidery and hand painting embellish the gowns of international celebrities, politicians and royalty in his career spanning 50 years.  He introduced  jusi, piña, hablon, and accessories like tambourine to the world on international fashion pages of the Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Holiday and Le Figaro.

He was one of the earliest exponents of the Maria Clara. He re-fashioned the Barong Tagalog and made it wearable by women.  As a matter of course, the First Ladies of the Philippines have always been dressed by Pitoy, in his trademark ternos. He also did the bridal gown of former president Cory Aquino when she married Ninoy.

“The Filipina bride in a Pitoy Moreno wedding ensemble became the centerspread in the pictorial history of Philippine fashion.”

To this day, Pitoy works the full week, attending to his clients with untiring dedication. He makes it a point to be there for his brides at their weddings so he could supervise every little detail, from putting on the gown and shoes to the cutting of the cake.

“I like doing it, I like to coordinate from day one,” says Pitoy. “Sometimes, I have two weddings in a day so I hop from one place to another.”

Pitoy’s love for Filipino weddings transcends his being a fashion designer having also authored the coffee table book called “Kasalan”.  Here’s his take on Filipino weddings and the book:

“A wedding is, for me, the greatest love story ever told.  And this book is an attempt to tell that story in words and images.There is romance, folklore, nostalgia, and fashion on these pages of impressions.

Above all, there is magic. That dimension which preserves the wedding in the realm of dreams and drama, myth and memory. That mystique which gives a wedding it’s past, present, and future fascination for us all.

The book is your invitation to the Filipino Wedding. And all the magic it brings.”

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sources:

• The National Artists of the Philippines (www.ncca.gov.ph)
• PGMA names seven new National Artists (op.gov.ph)
  
• Pitoy Moreno (wikipilipinas.org)
• Jose Pitoy Moreno: The Fashon Czar Of Asia (thenewstoday.info)
• Truly Pinoy, Truly Pitoy (newsflash.org)
• All Hail the Fashion Czar (businessmirror.com.ph)
• J. Moreno: The Designer as Author (showcase.eyp.ph)

(from the Department of Tourism) If the global trend in weddings and honeymoons is to go “Destination,” then North American couples should go to the Philippines– an emerging hub for romantic and extraordinary dream weddings and honeymoons.

There are as many reasons to go for a wedding or a honeymoon as there are islands in the Philippines. With 7,107 islands, a culture that is a blend of the best of the East and West, and a wedding industry that has been recognized and has received numerous accolades from different parts of the globe, the Philippines is the perfect place to start a lifetime of wedded bliss.

Read the checklist of the reasons why the Philippines is one of the best places in the world to say “I Do.”

(via Phil. News Agency | by Lily O. Ramos) The Department of Tourism will project the Philippines as a truly beautiful country with multi-racial and multi-cultural people living in a mixture of the old and yet most modern, international environment fit for romance.

This is what Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said on Thursday as he discussed how DOT will promote the country in the upcoming International Travel Expo (ITE) in Hong Kong, where the Philippines expects to sustain an upward trend for its tourism market.

The Hong Kong market has continued to post encouraging number in terms of arrivals to the country for the past three years.

A total of 96,296 Hong Kong visitors in 2006; 111,948 in 2007; and 116,653 in 2008 reflect a significant 14 percent growth rate.

What’s more, the ITE on its 23rd year has chosen the Philippines as a finalist for the ‘New Travel Route’ competition, where chosen countries will be put to popular vote as the most preferred destinations for avid travelers.

Joining the Philippines among the finalists are Switzerland, Greece, Peru, India, South Korea, Turkey, and Japan.

The theme “Romantic Philippines” is set to captivate Asian couples, featuring unique getaways and exhilarating thrills.

The country’s more than 36,000 kilometers of unspoiled coastlines, breathtaking scenic landscapes, and a myriad of natural wonders, make the Philippines as a perfect spot for weddings, honeymoon, and romantic hideaways.

“Our stunning landscapes truly make it a sought-after wedding destination. Couples would choose only the best for life’s most memorable events, and we are certain they would never run out of exciting discoveries in our many islands,” Durano said.

The Philippine campaign in Hong Kong will provide a booth which promises unique performances such as costumes, native dances, rendition of favorite “kundimans” plus old and modern Filipino love songs.

Clothes designed by leading fashion designer Renee Salud will also be showcased.

Led by DOT, the Philippine delegation will be joined by renowned and respected industry leaders Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, The Manila Hotel, El Nido Resort, Boracay Grand Vista Resort and Spa, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, Le Soleil de Boracay, Hotel Seraph Boracay, Waterfront Hotels and Casino, and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

Trusted travel operators Shroff International Travel Care Inc., Castro Travel Solutions Agency, Le Soleil de Boracay, Happy Sun Travel and Tours, and Planet Holiday, as well as leading carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air will also be represented.

Marry for love. Yes.
Marry for power and ambition. No.
Marry for love, power and and ambition. We don’t see why not.

The presidential elections doesn’t happen ’til May 11, 2010, but Senator Mar Roxas‘ upcoming wedding to broadcaster Korina Sanchez is creating quite a buzz among the Philippine electorate. Just because of their very public Wowowee wedding announcement (that’s a YouTube link not recommended for skeptics), some have already made up their minds if they’ll vote for him or not. And if the surveys are accurate, his “retirement from bachelorhood” seems to be doing him more good than harm. Either the senator is a true romantic or he knows what excites the poor voters.  At the very least, we’re hoping it’s a combination of both.  Their ‘fairytale’ is more believable that way.

Still, it amazes us that his impending wedding seems to be working to his advantage.  And now there’s a full Inquirer article just about his pamanhikan.  Thumbs up for promoting this time-honored pre-wedding ritual.  But of course, sincerity of intentions if still foremost.  We’ve yet to find out.

Here’s an excerpt:

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(via inquirer.net) Senator Manuel Roxas vowed to bring not just the elders of his Araneta-Roxas clan but also a “mambabalagtas” (traditional Tagalog orator) for a traditional “pamanhikan” scheduled for Sunday night at the Parañaque home of his fianceé, broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez.

A “pamanhikan” is a Filipino pre-wedding rite in which the man formally seeks the hand of his girlfriend in marriage before his future in-laws.

Roxas told Inquirer on Sunday that everything was set for the “pamanhikan.” As custom goes, the family of the groom makes the formal proposal of marriage. Once it is accepted, they sponsor a feast. [READ MORE…]

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related stories:

• Korina Sanchez: I’m not stupid (ABS-CBN News)
• It’s pamanhikan time for Senator Roxas (Phil. Star)
• Mar, Korina bare ‘all over the Philippines’ wedding theme (ABS-CBN News)
• Korina and Mar reserved Negros heritage site for 4th quarter? (stir.ph)
• Cebu designer tapped for Mar-Korina wedding (Cebu Daily News)