The ceremony was breathtakingly beautiful. The wise, down-to-earth, gentle and often humorous words of Pastor Gus Lising, the couples’ vows that came straight from their own hearts, and the happiness written all over their faces, brought tears to the eyes of many guests. The voices of Repertory Philippines pals Michael Williams, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (also matron of honor) and Rem Zamora, accompanied by a string quartet, floated through the air providing just the right romantic background for the ceremony
She was a beautiful bride, and he, a handsome groom. She was dressed in a simple strapless white gown, crafted by Jojie Lloren, which hugged her tiny waist and then flared out in a gentle swirl. Once again, she looked like the lovely Guinevere in Rep’s Camelot, which was her first big role. But this time by her side was no make-believe Lancelot, but her real, live, knight-in-shining-armor
Liza and Paul met at the London Business School where they were both taking their master’s in business. Paul admits he was smitten at first sight, but didn’t have the nerve to do anything about it, until a stint as chairman of the tennis club gave him an opening. Liza showed up at the tennis court and, being chairman, he managed to arrange for her to play as his partner in mixed doubles that day
Paul, by the way, was a professional tennis player who played on the ATP tour. Still, it took some coaching on the part of his best friend (and best man) Malcolm Gooderham, plus the safety of editable e-mail, to launch his suit – obviously a successful one
Fifty-one of Liza and Paul’s guests came from the United Kingdom, where they now live, the United States, Germany, Jamaica, India, Australia, and Hong Kong. Manila guests included relatives, close friends and Liza’s Rep family, including her aunt and Rep’s artistic director Baby Barredo, who was also one of the wedding sponsors. Other sponsors were Flossie Infante, Mindy Perez-Rubio, who was standing in for Carlos Perez-Rubio, the groom’s sister Elaine Walker, and his brother-in-law Jon Walker. Other members of the wedding were matron-of-honor Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, the bride’s sister-in-law Lia Delgado-Infante, and her sister Monica Infante. Ana Bitong, who with Rem Zamora hosted the ceremony, Philip Gartland and Ms. Walker read from the Bible. Flower girls were Alex Duffy, daughter of Maya Barredo Duffy, Lola Walker, and Gabi Infante, the daughter of the Liza’s brother Javi
Incredible as it seems, the whole wedding was planned and executed by Liza and Paul from half way around the world: From the invitations, designed by another Rep Londoner Obeng Roxas who also came for the wedding; the wedding arrangements for the guests, done by website and e-mail; the pre-wedding entertainment, complete with little scrolls telling the guests what was on each day; the little pails with rose petals guests were enjoined to throw on the bride and groom to add to the carpet of rose petals on the sand; the choice of the music for the ceremony; the arrangements with Fridays, where the wedding was held, which included a spectacular fireworks display at the end of the ceremony; the champagne and canapés reception; the sumptuous buffet supper; and the excellent band that played for the dancing and singing on the beach until midnight. To say that a fantastic, good time was had by all would be an understatement
And so it was. The shy, young girl Rep hired to play a fairy in its very first Children’s Theater production of Sleeping Beauty, and who later bloomed into one of its finest actresses, had chosen a world far from theater – far from home. But with the successful career in the business she carved out for herself, and having found a warm, gentle and loving partner with whom she could share her life, who could blame her? Those who love her wished her well and all the happiness in the world. They wished her a Camelot, which never ends. They wished her a Camelot with her Lancelot by her side