Wedding Gown: Dong Omaga-Diaz 
Venue: One Serendra 
Photographers: Stef and Naomi
Associate Photographer: Maria Angela Taluban
Videographer: Koi Noval 
Catering: 8 Spoons 
Music: Chique Arcilla, Mok, & Renee Dominque
Bridal Make Up: Carmel Rivadelo-Villongco of Shiseido 
Bridal Hair: Angelu Dominguez 
Bridesmaids Hair & Make Up: Cheveux Salon

If there was something so obvious on Bens and Janette's special day, it was the overflow of love coming from both families. It was not only filled with love but also with so much family rejoicing. It was such a beautiful thing to behold... Their parents and siblings come from all parts of the globe and flew in the country to be part of their special day. How Amazing is that! There was so much intimacy and warmth in the fact that only their loved ones and close friends were there that day. You really can sense the love inside the room! The ceremonies was so simple yet it was so beautiful I was almost moved to tears. What I especially love about this couple is that they are so grounded that they take so much delight in the simple things in life. I had so much fun shooting them because they were absolutely carefree! ♥

Cake: Sweetbox Cakes

Model: Mykee Mancao

Location: Alas-as Hills

Flowers & Styling: Poppies and Amber by Sashuh. 

We drove 3 hours to get to Alas-as Hills in Laguna for this shoot but it was all so worth it! :) Romantic style has definitely a certain softness and fanciful appeal that's as hard to resist as a surprise box of chocolates. 

HOPE YOU LIKE THE PICTURES! ❤ 

Ladies and gents, it is with great excitement that I introduce to you SESA. This all-girl band is bound to make history happen and will inevitably rock the socks of today’s OPM industry. When you put Acel and Yeng together, mix it in with two very talented musicians Julie and Karmi, what do you get? An eclectic-rockin’ sound and great music that inspires. Right about now, the girls are working on their album under MUSIKATHA.

So here are the amazing women that make up the band:

Vocals: Acel van Ommen 
          Yeng Constantino

Lead Guitar: Julie Samonte 

Drums: Karmi Santiago

What probably sets these girls apart is exactly just that, they claim to be “set-apart”. --set apart to do God's purpose. The songs they have released so far are very vocal about their Christian faith and thousands of young people have picked up on their message. It has truly moved the youth into action--to love God in how we live our lives, and to love others.

When they strum their guitar, when they sing a line, it transcends mere musicality but becomes a movement. It stirs up a passion inside of you. It doesn't leave you unchanged.

This is the very reason why they came up with the band name. SESA comes from the word “Prinsesa”, being daughters of their Almighty King, walking their identity in Christ.

It is truly an honor on my end to spend a day with them during the photo shoot. I know that their music will not only sell records but touch so many lives. I've played a couple of their songs and it’s really powerful! It will get your blood pumping and spirit rising. I love it!!! Do watch out for these beautiful, rockin’, princesses :)

Hair and Makeup for Acel, Julie and Karmi - Darvin Delos Reyes Macabales

"Acel van Ommen also known as Acel Bisa (her maiden name) is a singer and songwriter.

She is most popular for performing the song Torete with her former band Moonstar 88. But as a solo artist, she also became famous for singing the English version of One Love, the theme song to the hit Korean television drama Spring Waltz.

In 2008 Acel released her first album as a solo artist entitled Silver Lining. A ten-track album featuring songs Laugh and Cry, Pakiusap (my personal fave), Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-Ibig, and Silver Lining among others.

Acel has also contributed her original compositions to soundtracks of Philippine prime-time television shows My Girl (for her song Gulo, Hilo, Lito) and Rounin (for her song Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-Ibig)." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acel_van_Ommen)

Despite her fame, she remains humble and "normal" as ever. Thank you for being a blessing to me and to others. You are an inspiration! Love you!

Hair and Make up: Darvin Delos Reyes Macabales 

Visit her facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/darvs.macabales?fref=ts

These days, I find myself daydreaming… a lot. The desires I have in my heart right now are so many that it keeps me up at night. I keep thinking about the future with wide eyes and great hopes as if I was in front of my grade school teacher asked to recite my essay on “What I Want To Be When I Grow Up”. It’s funny though because I do feel like a kid sometimes—dreaming big, going after the impossible and dismissing every thought of obstacles that a grown up would usually be afraid of. This seems silly and naïve to the world, but the Bible calls this faith, “child-like faith” that is. I have so much boldness because I have a God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). In all these years, in whatever circumstances, in every season of my life, He has always shown Himself powerful and capable. So why should I even limit the dreams in my heart? Why would I dream small when it pleases God that I should have complete trust in Him to carry out the desires He has placed in my life? 

Looking back, I can see that every pain and failure in my life has been stepping stones to success. All the tears that I have shed and every heartache that came along with trying, have been well compensated by the flood of blessings that came after. This is very true with my passion for photography. I started out with nothing but my dreams and a host of detractors & discouragements. It was so hard to live down to expectations and just go with the flow, so I decided to swim against it. I refused to listen to critics and heeded to what my heart was yelling instead.

Right now, I look at my life and I’m humbled by how far God has taken me. Slowly, but surely, my dreams are coming true. And the funny thing is, I still keep on dreaming! I personally believe that to expect little in life is a life not worth living. My prayers and hopes for my marriage, the goals that I have for my career, the things I want to achieve for my family, all this I place at Jesus’ feet everyday. I want Him to be glorified in everything. I want every success and breakthrough to show just how amazing my God is. I want the big dreams to reflect the BIG God that I am serving. It truly is an exciting way of living. Greg Anderson once said, “When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life.” So how about you? Have you let your dreams take the back seat? Are your goals and ambitions limited to what others believe about you? Keep dreaming big! Envision what you want to achieve because the future you see is the kind of future you will get. Put your faith in God and allow Him to fulfill the desires that He has placed in your heart. Use every failure and discouragement that come your way as a jumping board to greater heights. Remember this, God has endowed each of us with certain gifts and talents to be used for His glory and do remarkable things for Him and watch in excitement how He blesses your faith with His favor. So hold your head high and keep dreaming big!

So here's one of those big dreams I have that came to reality! We got featured at MEG Magazine, August Issue. Yay! :) Please grab a copy if you haven't yet.

Make up by: Jocelle Briones
Hair by: Mycke Arcano
Styling by: Rainier Dagala (Meg Magazine Fashion Editor)

For a girl, there probably is not a more devastating blow in her life than to have her heart broken by the one she loves the most. It’s an indescribable feeling that torments not only your emotions but messes up every fiber of your being as well. The chest aches almost every second of the day, your mind is clouded and restless, your knees grow weak, your limbs find no motivation to function and loneliness swallows up every hope for living. It really is, as one novelist puts it, an exquisite pain.

Perhaps this was the reason why Honey was so afraid to love again.

She was just like any girl, who became somehow jaded when it comes to love because of a painful past. The thought of having to give her heart to a man again, trusting that he wouldn’t rip it apart and shred it into a million pieces, was too much of a risk to take. She’d come to God in prayer everyday, asking Him to spare her from another heartbreak, “I can’t bear another one Lord, not anymore”. Little did she know that God was already orchestrating a love story for her, so beautiful, that it would make her heart come alive again.

Through a Pastor friend, she was introduced to Jeffrey. He was different from all the others and Honey found the courage to take a risk… again. They started communicating and got to know each other more deeply over time. It was a long distance relationship since Jeffrey was a seaman. But in spite of that, their bond grew stronger.

The very first moment they met, at the airport, they knew right then and there that they found the love they have long been waiting for... All the fears that used to cripple her melted away and the walls that she built started crumbling in his embrace… Jeffrey felt the same way too. There was so much certainty in his heart that this woman standing in front of him was the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. And then he went down on one knee and asked her to marry him… on their first meeting!

There was not a hint of doubt in their minds that they were made for each other. Everything that happened in their lives—the good and the bad, paved the way for them to be where they are now and be found by a love that’s on its way to forever. When I asked them why they instantly decided to get married, they simply said, “You know, when you know!” They both loved God and each other deeply, so what was the point of delaying? Why postpone happiness when it’s right there made available for you? True enough, their relationship is filled with laughter, joy and happiness to last them a lifetime. It truly is inspiring to see them together—it’s as if nothing could go wrong.

With Jeffrey, Honey found a man she could finally trust wholeheartedly. With Honey, Jeffrey met a best friend he can bare his soul to. The love they share is a heaven-sent gift that has dramatically changed their lives. Now, the world seems to be such a perfect place and life has found a greater meaning. His eyes make her go weak in the knees, her smile makes his heart skip a beat and when they hold each other’s hands, they feel a sense of courage and boldness to face all the challenges that life has to offer. As long as they’re together, everything will be alright.

The two are obviously hopelessly and madly in love with each other, and this radiates through the photos on their wedding day. Just take a look for yourselves… 

Hair and Make up: Hale Retcie Salcedo Demetrio
Planning and Coordination: Bash Grandeur Weddings and Events
Videography: SMS (Seven Media Studio)
Main Photographers: Stef and Naomi of stefnaomiphotography
Associate Photographer: Carlo Gaid

Gee speaks faster than a speeding bullet. And the way I see things, so will her stardom be—skyrocketing quicker than you can say “Speedy Gee Canlas”. She’s witty, intelligent, beautiful, talented and helluva comedian. And there is no denying the obvious, she has a great bod that’s to die for! Those are more than enough reasons to keep her career going in the entertainment industry. Her versatility will blow your mind away and her comical skills are one of a kind.

She was one of the contestants on the reality show “The Amazing Race Philippines” and hosted TV shows like “MU Live” on ABS-CBN, “Pilipinas Win na Win on” and made appearances on other TV shows in TV5 and QTV11. Aside from using her talking skills to amuse and entertain, Gee is also an actress and starred in some indie films like “Ang Pakiramdam ng Puso Ko Kapag Iniiwan”.

You should definitely be on the lookout for this girl. Her next film project is an indie movie for Cinemalaya, which also stars Lovi Poe and Paolo Avelino. Her growing fan base can only expect more from her. And of course, never forgetting her humble beginnings in YouTube, she has launched an official channel called ‘GeeTvNow’ where she will be creating online shows and “Banyeaux Hits” is the very first one.

Her online videos are sure hits! So if you're having a bad day or just in need of a good laugh, just Google her name and you're in for a fun ride. This is not so different in real life. She is as wacky and as crazy in person. Be not deceived by these glamorous photos, she’s a real goofball behind the scenes. And when it comes to projecting on cam, she is like a pro! I loved this particular photo shoot so much because she just knows how to work the camera. It’s so easy to find great shots of her.

In case you’re wondering how she’s able to keep such a great physique, well, this is her exercise routine: none. It’s funny how Gee has an appetite of a construction worker but still maintains a figure that will give Meagan Fox a run for her money. She eats just about anything and is a certified sweet tooth, but my golly she is effortlessly sexy! I hate it.

If she weren't such a good friend, I would have totally despised her out of envy. hahaha But the thing is, she is my good friend. In fact, she’s one of the nicest person I have ever met so there is no reason for hating. I'm absolutely proud of this girl and I want to share to the rest of the world what she can offer: talent, beauty and an amazing personality! Look her up online and she will steal your heart away faster than she can spew words out of her lips.

PS. Jb, thank you for letting me shoot with you that day! You are crazy good! Check out his works at: http://jbdeleonphotography.com/ -- https://www.facebook.com/jboydilim?fref=ts 

Benjamin Alves-- it’s hard to keep your eyes off of him. Not only does he have a pretty face but has a great body to match it with. I know what you're thinking girls, he is smoking hot. It’s like Leonardo Da Vinci chiseled his 8-pack abs into perfection. Yep, he is a fine work of art. How can you possibly forget a guy like him?

Incidentally enough, “Unforgettable” is also the show where Benjamin stars in. It’s a GMA romantic fantasy drama which also casts prominent actors like Philip Salvador, Kylie Padilla, Mark Herras, Pauleen Luna and Polo Ravales. The show is in the network’s afternoon prime time block and the ratings are getting higher as the story progresses. This young actor is indeed steadily making his rise to stardom with this latest big break in his career. Just like his uncle Piolo Pascual, Benjamin exudes that very Filipino appeal on screen and has great work ethics off-cam.

In the said show, Benjamin plays the role of a lawyer—a profession he actually considered taking up if he wasn't in show business  He graduated Summa cum laude at the University of Guam majoring in English Literature. Wow. Whoever said that heartthrobs don't have much behind their ears must not be referring to Benjamin Alves. He seriously is the complete package.

And if all that I have said do not impress you enough, let me share with you one last thing. This guy truly has a good heart. He is a humble and sincere person and it’s very easy to start and maintain a friendship with him. He is so down to earth and there is not a hint of conceit in him— something that is so common to big-shot celebrities of his stature.

Benjamin is a superstar in the making but has his feet firmly planted on the ground. We can only expect much success for him in the years to come.

So again, how you can forget a guy like this?

Hi everyone! I'd like to share with you this light-bulb moment we had last month while I was discussing with my sister Stef about the latest bridal trends and concepts. You see, weddings these days have become crazy-expensive especially if you choose to have it in a hotel or a fancy venue. There is absolutely nothing wrong with splurging on your special day, but we say, that if there is a much cheaper alternative which doesn't compromise the quality of the event, then why not go for it? This is how we came up with the idea of having an "Enchanted Forest Wedding" where you can DIY everything, save a lot of money, and have a perfectly unique celebration of your wedding day! With just an ample amount of creativity, there is no limit to what you can do given this kind of venue and the concepts are just endless! Can you imagine how your wedding will look in the photos? Absolutely enchanting!

Roy Dy for the lovely gowns
Lani Valderama for the radiant brooch bouquet
Nej Firm Pequiro for the amazing hair and make up styling and of course our beautiful model, Faith Miquiabas

Thank you guys so much! :)