East Meets West Wedding

CEBU, Philippines - Who could have thought a Cebu-New York relationship could work out despite the long distance?

Well, love definitely brought Christine Rose Ybañez of Lapu-Lapu City and Christopher Lasmarias Santos from New York all the way to the altar.

Christopher was actually born in Cebu but moved to the Big Apple in his teens. After eight years of living the fast life, he went back to his hometown in Dumaguete City, Oriental Negros for a short vacation. That was when he met Christine.

Christine was a graduating student from the University of the Philippines in Lahug. She wasn’t looking for love but love seemed intent on making these two fall in love.

Silliman University was celebrating its Founder’s Day centennial and among the booths in their great celebration was the Wedding Jail Booth, where Christopher and Christine found themselves handcuffed to each other.

They didn’t know then but that wedding joke would bring about their actual wedding.

Five years later, they were married in New York City.

Finally, five years of long distance calls, online chatting and visits back and forth to each other, paid off for this young couple who tied the knot again last April 26, 2009 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel with 150 of their closest family and friends.

The exchange of vows which was originally planned at the hotel’s mountain overlooking terrace was moved indoors in a matter of 45 minutes when it started to pour.

The fairy tale themed affair was witnessed by family and friends, not only from the Philippines but also from the world.

They had the following principal sponsors: Justice Elihu Ybañez and Mrs. Jane Ybañez, Yoland and Nicolie Ybañez, Gregorio and Louella Magdadaro of Asian Learning Center, Eduard and Lorelei Ceniza, Archt. Jesse Ybañez from California, Prof. Priscilla Kelso of Harvard University in Boston, Nestor and Edith Ramirez of Texas, Nelson & Aracely Coquia, Onofre and Purita Dejoras, Lt. Col. Joel and Rose Lasmarias, Dr. Edgardo and Dr. Ruby Tapang, Jonathan and Genisa dela Cruz, and Ted and Louella Lasmarias.

The wedding coordination was done on the phone and on the other end was the bride’s cousin, Hazel Magdadaro-Sanchez of the Asian Academy of Music-Events. The couple’s wedding couture was the creation of fashion icon, Jun Escario. Video and Photography by Papicture. Hair and Makeup of the bride and her entourage by Jonas Borces. Cake was designed by Fountainhead.

The couple is now settling nicely in New York with their Old English Sheepdog, fondly called Sir Lancelot. Christine, who finished Journalism in UP, is now part of the production team at CBS Newsradio. Christopher is working at a hospital in New York City. (Contributed Article)