California dreamin’

I am a firm believer that opposites attract, and here’s yet another example.

Rea Manalo Joseph was born in America while Lyle Gillamac Gonzalez first saw light in the Philippines.

They were raised on opposite ends of the globe with the vast ocean separating them —different cultures, traditions and lifestyles.

A chance meeting in America brought this lovely couple together and they fell madly in love. Before long, they were in the midst of preparations for a wedding to start their lifelong commitment to each other.

The lovely bride arrived dressed in an all-white beaded, one-of-a-kind bridal gown created by international fashion designer, proudly Cebuano, Cary Santiago , while the groom was equally dashing in a black pin-striped suit by Hugo Boss. The solemn ceremony was presided over by Monsignor Gerry Santos assisted by Father Matthew Fernandez at the St. James the Great Parish.

The principal sponsors were Gloria Garcia, Merce Willard, Grace Manalo,  Lucrecia Alvarez and Rosemarie Rafael. They were joined by Ralph Joseph, Ramon Manalo, Alan Gillamac, Julio Gonzalez and Victor Gonzalez.

Maids of honor were Riza Joseph and Eunice Tan while best men were the groom’s brothers Byron and Sergei Gonzalez.

Guests then proceeded  to the nearby Bellevue Hotel for cocktails where bottles and more bottles of Montes wines flowed endlessly, considering the brothers Joseph own Ralph’s Wines and Spirits.

Prior to the dinner — that included slivers of salmon, followed by a creamy carrot soup, a refreshing lemon sorbet and choice beef with sidings — Rea’s precocious eight-year-old brother River delivered a heartwarming prayer he composed for the occasion.

Invitees then enjoyed a fabulous performance by the a cappella singing group the Akafellas followed by onsite AVP by  videographer Bob Nicolas that brought lots of laughter and a few happy tears.

The couple took to the dance floor for their first dance after which Bobby Joseph stepped in and  effortlessly guided Rea to the tune of Jim Brickman’s love music, The Gift.

One of the pleasant surprises of the evening was the wheeling in of a birthday cake for Rea’s dad Bobby who was celebrating his birthday. Toasts were showered for the newlyweds and the birthday celebrant.

For the newlyweds the party did not stop there. They flew to Boracay for a few days of sharing, loving and fun before returning to their home in Southern California where Rea works for the LA County and Lyle works as a physical therapist in an area hospital.