On that fateful August evening, Celina Gutierrez exchanged vows with Carlo Singson, fulfilling a promise made on a secluded beach on the Indonesian island of Bintan months before.
Carlo and Celina were first introduced in Manila in 1992. They lost touch when Celina relocated to Hong Kong the following year. Carlo moved to the USA to study at the Kellogg School of Management, later landing a job with the NBA. Assigned to the NBA’s Asian headquarters in Hong Kong, Carlo was "re-introduced" to Celina by a mutual friend, and the rest, as they say, is history. It was about three years later when Carlo finally popped the question to Celina, with a round diamond that had belonged to his lola, Ester A. Reyes.
The wedding and reception was a feast for the senses, with choral music by the Ateneo Chamber Choir accompanied by the String Minstrels of Eddie Pasamba filling the church, complementing the nuptial mass officiated by five priests, led by Bishop Gabriel Reyes.
Wine, crimson, cherry, scarlet…varying tones and hues of red (except red itself!) dominated the wedding décor and entourage motif. At the reception, the NBC Tent at The Fort Bonifacio Global City was aglow in shades of pink, purple and red. Florist Robert Blancaflor of 1816 bedecked the venue with tall impressive vases of imported red flowers and twigged foliage with deep red roses.
"Gastronomic" was how some of the guests described the food, catered by the Dusit Hotel. General Manager Chiyuki Fujimoto and his banquet staff personally made sure the food was an experience to remember, later also presenting a special table of the freshest seafood (lobsters, salmon, scallops) as a gift to the couple.
The wedding cake by Heny Sison, designed to resemble beautifully-wrapped gift boxes in gold, silver and white was a centerpiece to behold.
It was also a night of fun, music, and surprises, emceed by Freddie Santos. Carlo’s cousins Franco and Ayen Laurel , including Franco’s younger sister, YanYan Laurel, serenaded the couple with special songs. In turn, Carlo and Celina surprised their guests at their ceremonial first dance, performing a salsa they specially choreographed. Later, they also joined the band, Ntwined, to the delight of guests.
Besides memorable and touching speeches by the couples parents, Jaime F. Singson and Evelyn Reyes-Singson, and Cesar S. Gutierrez and Maria Carmeling Lorenzana-Gutierrez, several close friends also went onstage, including Loron Orris, who introduced Carlo to Hong Kong when he moved there in 1998 and helped Carlo in his search for the one; Grace Mahinay-Heatherington who re-introduced Carlo and Celina in Hong Kong; Celina’s close friends Allelu Timbol and Mae Santos; Michael DaSilva, one of Carlo’s best friends in Hong Kong; Joma and Donna Abad, newlywed friends of the couple.
Throughout the night, the bride was lovely in a Joe Salazar creation, with hair and makeup by Jessie Mendez. The late Joe Salazar designed and produced all gowns plus the dresses of the mothers of the bride and groom. Hair and makeup for the mother of the bride was also by Jessie Mendez, while Emphasis did the rest of the wedding party. Barongs of the groom, his two brothers, and the couples’ fathers were by Silk Cocoon. Wedding and engagement rings were created by Joaillier, owned by Carlo’s aunt, gemologist Ely Barretto.
The affair was planned and managed by Rita Neri of The Wedding Store, and captured by videographer Dominic Velasco of Imacron and photographer Patrick Uy.
The fun and excitement of the evening didn’t stop there though, as later, many of the couple’s friends from around the globe flew to Boracay to be with Carlo and Celina and continue the celebration.
The inauguration of the sixth branch of the prominent Korean restaurant was a magnificent affair as Manila’s high society appeared in droves. Kathy Park along with her husband Alex Park warmly welcomed everyone. Your columnist joined ribbon cutters Madame Imelda Marcos, Ge Hwa Kang, Dra. Elenita Binay, Jae Joong Chang, and Kathy Park herself in the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, marking the formal opening of the restaurant.
Guests commented appreciatively on the bright and simple interior: earthen pots and dolls, grill doors, and hanging lanterns, all of which gave the restaurant a warm and cozy feel. And of course, the delectably hot and spicy food of KAYA was the star attraction of the evening.
Spotted were Count Mario D’Urso, Princess Ira Von Furstenberg, beauty queen Evangeline Pascual, Ginajane Grey, Becky Garcia, Gunther and Joanne Matschuck, among many others.
See you at Kaya!
The Filling Station is partnered with Hotshots and Figaro, two wholly Filipino-owned Filipino food establishments. Hotshots is a fast-growing local burger shop made famous for serving flame-grilled burgers made from 100 percent beef without the usual extenders. Figaro is a total coffee store designed to make the experience of coffee drinking a pleasure for its customers with its freshly roasted coffee beans.
According to Joseph Bedi, part owner of the establishment, the diner "promotes a timeless Filipino tradition of keeping in touch with each other while eating together. For Filipino families, every meal is a celebration of togetherness."
The main attraction of the Filling Station is its location. Pine trees, fresh air, and cool weather all make up the Filling Station’s excellent ambiance. "It’s the perfect gathering place for family and friends in a relaxed setting." Mr. Bedi added.
The restaurant was established in line with the master development plan created by government for Camp John Hay, and guided by the CJH Development Corporation’s commitment to provide wholesome entertainment for the family.
The Filling Station is located at the Old Motorpool Building, Ordoñio Drive, Camp John Hay, Loakan Road, Baguio City. It is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and up to 12 midnight, Fridays to Sundays.