PJ Lanot - Alessa Libongco: The love story of the cheerleader & the captain ball
MANILA, Philippines - “I know I loved her, even before I met her,” so declared John Paul Lanot of his bride Alessandra Marie Libongco in his surprise video at their wedding reception at the Harbor Garden of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. It made the ladies sigh and say PJ was the happiest groom they ever saw as he flashed beaming big smiles at a radiant Alessa. She was a beautiful bride, statuesque with a sweet face in a gown of fitted French lace bodice and a swagged ballgown skirt made by Mel Orlina.
PJ and Alessa wed on a glorious morning brilliant with sunshine and romance at the Shrine of Jesus by the spectacular Manila Bay. “We wanted this day — the first day of our life as husband and wife — to symbolize waking up and starting the day with each other,” explains the couple of the sunrise nuptials choice.
The newlyweds are both graduates of Ateneo de Manila University where PJ took up Management of Communications Technology and Alessa finished a degree in Communication a year later in 2004.
However, PJ says it wasn’t at the Ateneo but in Claret School that he first saw Alessa. She was playing varsity basketball for Poveda and they had a game where PJ was attending high school. He had a crush on the sporty hi-schooler but by the time they met up in Ateneo, both were seeing others. They nevertheless became friends and PJ attended all of Alessa’s birthday parties and joined Alessa’s Art Adventures classes for kids as an assistant teacher.
PJ was an energetic member of the Blue Babble cheer squad and the two would see each other in basketball matches. Somehow Alessa would find him stationed near where she was seated in Araneta Coliseum. Thus began the love story of the cheerleader and the captain ball although not in conventional roles because it was Alessa who was the basketball player and PJ was the cheerleader.
The relationship blossomed when they found out they were unattached.
Throughout the courtship, they pursued separate careers, he as a TV and events host, film/TV and voice actor, speaker/trainer and restaurateur and she as freelance graphic designer for retail and restaurant industries, teacher of arts, crafts and graphic design as well as designer of typography, patterns and jewelry.
PJ co-owns and manages Pino Resto Bar, BRGR: The Burger Project and Pino Kitchen Studio all in Teacher’s Village. Last October, PJ made vegetarian-Alessa’s long-time-dream come true when with partners Chef Ed Bugia and Star Jose, they opened Pipino Vegetarian on the 2nd floor of Pino.
Fr. Jerry Orbos officiated at the nuptial Mass made meaningful with his wise words on the chopstick rule and witty counsel which made everyone sit up and take notice.
Principal sponsors were their godparents, parents of closest friends and family including Jose Hilario III, Antonio Choa, Romeo Libongco, Hermogenes Tantoco, Jose Laurel, Jose Galvez, Armenio Aspi, Glenn Lanot, Alfredo Angeles, Millet Mananquil, Brenda Reyes, Sabrina Panlilio, Florian Hilario, Ditas Hilario, Meriam Aspi, Evelyn Angeles and EC Dizon who proxied for those unable to come to Manila.
The proud parents Alex and Rose Libongco and Ricardo and Merlyn Lanot welcomed relatives and friends who attended including Dr. Loi Ejercito, Nini and Abe Licaros, Junjun and Esther Capistrano, Victor and Annie Garcia, Pat Riegert, Jessie, Rickie and Marichu Villongco, Tierry and Christine Garcia, Rene and Fortune Ledesma, Nina Teves, Jake Macasaet, Chit Dee, Evie Costa, Chit Salud, Ichi Yabut, Eppie Ignacio, Sylvia Araneta, Marissa Aquino, Aquiles and Linda Lopez. From the USA came PJ’s aunt Tess Lanot and Steve Hamel while Alessa’s cousins Ria and Marc Faust, Rizza, Allan and son Hoops Rawcliffe, Anton and Remi Rivera, Nicco and Roy Rivera also flew in.
Sofitel, where mother of the bride worked as director of marketing, lovingly prepared a lavish and bountiful spread of vegetarian breakfast and brunch favorites with grilled aubergine and tomato in French vinaigrette, coleslaw with raisins in yoghurt, pancake and waffle station, live egg station, honey glazed ham, leg of lamb, pan seared fish in cream, braised tofu and capsicum in ginger sauce along with the typical beef tapa, longganisa and daing na bangus. Morning cocktails Mimosa, Bellini, Bloody Mary and the freshest fruit juices flowed freely.
The Harbor Garden was transformed into a matrimonial setting reflecting the couple’s preference for simplicity and elegance. Rosie de Vera of Flowers and Foliage provided a canopy of white swags from where strings of sparkly crystals dropped. Topiaries of roses on tall glass vases filled with delicate glass bubbles seemed to float atop mirrored tables.
The music of Johnoy Danao, Niki Rojas, Conchita Campos and Vince LaHorra kept everyone entertained. The talented duo also created videos on the making of their wedding and a newspaper tabloid titled Good Morning Love! informed all about their love story, the program, menus and messages from friends and family.
