A proposal under moonlight for Allen Arvin and Jennifer Tan

Allen Arvin Tan first met Jennifer Toledo at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Loyola Heights six years ago. He was then taking up communications arts, while Jin Jin, as her friends call her, was busy studying to be a doctor.

When she became a full-fledged physician, Allen with a guitar on hand, singing their theme song Moon River, proposed marriage one moonlit evening.

As the ravishingly radiant bride glided down the aisle of the imposing Sacred Heart Church, in a sleeveless Dino Lloren gown, with a smile as dazzling as her solitaire engagement ring, it was more than clear to everyone how pleased she was to have found her Mr. Right. Allen was equally dashing in an embroidered barong he himself designed and also executed by Lloren.

The eucharistic celebration of their nuptial vows was officiated by Fr. Emerito de la Rama.

The three sets of principal sponsors were led by the groom’s uncle and aunt, Vicente Tan and Joy Sia, Nicolas Pimentel, who flew in from the States just for the occasion, and a longtime friend of the Tan family for many years Agustin Palao, and the bride’s titas, Pureza Dumancas and Evelyn Coronel.

The groom’s elder brother Ian Irving Tan stood as best man, while Jennifer’s sister Nancy was maid of honor. Michael Eric Go and Maria Theresa Mutia lit the candles, while Jose Albert Avila and Maria Liza Blessett pinned the veil. Levie Lim and Ann Marjorie Ong were cord sponsors.

Favorite cousins and dear friends, such as Joanna Angheng, Inez Aznar, Carla Tiu, Tania Morada, Deborrah Cua Ho, Lourdes Arnado and December Chy were bridesmaids. Calvin Gothong, Ryan Yu, Christopher Uy, James Go, Edric Tan, Emilio Pascua and Edward Onglatco served as ushers.

The décor of both the church and the Atlantic Hall of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel, where the reception was held, were done gratis by the couple’s dear friend Gladys Llaban, with beautiful multi-colored daisies, roses and dancing ladies provided by Andie Noval of Kalidades.

Just before the couple had a slice of the three-tiered fondant cutwork cake, which was a work of art by Cebu’s best, another aunt of the bride, Marissa Unchuan, Allen whisked Jennifer to the dance floor and did a beautiful Carlos Gardel tango a la Al Pacino in that famous movie Scent of a Woman.

After a well-planned honeymoon to America and Canada, they will make their home in Cebu where Allen will continue with his various business interests, while Jennifer will continue to dedicate her life to the medical field.