GP Reyes & Andi Manzano: A romance that started on Facebook

MANILA, Philippines - Club owner, restaurateur, and Century Properties creative director GP Reyes met the love of his life, the beautiful radio DJ, host, and celebrity Andi Manzano in the most modern of ways: Facebook.

GP had always found her attractive but had never met her so at first he attempted to go the traditional route by going through a “bridge”:  Andi’s cousin Lucky, who promptly called her up and said, “Hey, my friend GP has a crush on you, can I give him your number?” Understandably Andi refused because she didn’t even know who GP was at the time.

Luckily (pun intended), GP didn’t give up so easily. He quickly sent her a message on Facebook:

GP (12/13/10 1:13am): You don’t know me...but I figured getting this message from a complete stranger would probably be less creepy than whatever it is Luis must’ve told you.... I told him to be smooth... but all that MMA training has apparently damaged his capacity for social finesse...

So, here’s me taking the little flashy thingies those Men in Black guys use, and erasing from your memory whatever it is Mr. Manzano said...

...We can start with “Hi! I’m GP.”

Four days later, she answered:

Andi (12/17/10 11:46am): hahahahaha. hi. im andi.

After about a month of getting to know each other online, she finally agreed to meet him.

GP says,  “It was a Friday night in early January. She said she’d be in Barcino’s having wine with her cousin Lesley and I show up in a suit trying to look all debonair and suave, only to be sweating balls in the heat of the Greenbelt 2 al fresco smoking area. Thankfully, my powers of persuasion managed to pry these two ladies from their cozy stools in Greenbelt and we headed to more familiar territory: Opus and then Republiq, where we clicked. Immersed in all the clubbing chaos, I knew. I just knew.”

And from that very first meeting, Andi and GP were never apart. In fact, just two days later, GP drove to Manzano family home in Antipolo to meet her parents. They spent virtually every single day together and travelled the world almost every month for two years.

On Oct. 7, 2012, coming home from one of their many trips, GP proposed to Andi at the arrival area of NAIA 3. As they walked out of the baggage claim carousel, one by one different singers began to surround Andi, until an entire flash mob was singing in chorus to a song Andi sent to GP via Youtube when the first started dating: Marry Me by Train. GP then got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife, and she joyously said, “Yes.”

They got married on Nov. 12, 2013 in Baguio in part because when they first started dating GP drove Andi to an event there balikan as panliligaw, and also partially because Baguio is truly a beautiful place,

As a big Porsche fanatic, GP  and his buddies drove up in various sports cars up the zigzags of Kennon Road. A few days before, Andi had a special bowling tourney for her friends, while GP, organized the GPR golf cup for his friends. Bonito Singson won Class A champ, Chito Melo won Class B, and Sherwin Hing won the Class C.

The couple hosted an intimate rehearsal dinner for the members of the entourage and sponsors at the Hilltop restaurant the evening before. At 2 p.m. the following day, a wonderful and truly emotional ceremony ensued at St. Joseph’s Church as GP, escorted by his mother Daisy Izon, and four brothers Paul, Jappy, Chuck, and Francis, waited for his gorgeous bride escorted by parents Bobit and Rose Manzano.

Ninongs were Louie Ysmael, Inigo Zobel, Ambassador Jose E.B. Antonio, Jacques Dupasquier, Ricardo Po, Mike Toledo, and Bonito Singson. Ninangs were Maria Luisa Alvendia, Angie Cadungog, Mae Corcuera, Maribel Dario, Ma. Paz Regina Escano, Christina Manzano, and Angelita Serrano.

GP’s groomsmen were Jigger Antonio, Erik Cua, Romeo Cucueco, Manolet Dario, Stephen Ku, Miguel Manzano, Lito Serrano, Rico Serrano, and Kevin Tan. While Andi’s birdesmaids were Maybel Cabrera, Ida Gomez, Monique Jamlang, Reg King, Jess Mendoza, Ces Olondriz, and Margaux Reyes-Yao.

Secondary sponsors were Matt Lim, Celine Gabriel, Ivan Zalameda, Cat Arambulo, Marco Antonio, and Tina Tinio. Ring bearer was AJ Yao, Bible bearer was Asher Antonio, coin bearer was Devon Antonio, Rosary bearer was Pablo Manzano, and flower girl was Missy Ysmael.

A reception for 300 guests followed at the historic Baguio Country Club, with wonderful speeches from family and friends, and a mini concert by Andi’s tito Gary Valenciano, after which the party kicked off with Republiq, Opus, and Prive’s top DJ’s providing music for guests to dance till early morning.