Dream wedding venue

The Marriott Grand Ballroom at Marriot Manila, the newest wedding destination in the city, was unveiled recently with a signature bridal show titled Marry Me at Marriott.

The bridal show at the Grand Ballroom featured the creations of renowned fashion designers Randy Ortiz, Rhett Eala, Jun Escario, JC Buendia, Rajo Laurel and Frederick Peralta. 

Guests were directed to one of the four sections of the ballroom for pre-cocktail shows before the reveal of the 60-piece showcase of designer bridal gowns and suits.

The venue was a doorway to a secret garden adorned with rich flora and fauna and magical gazebo designed by Gideon Hermosa. The show officially started when the SkyFold partition ascended to reveal a dramatic garden runway in full bloom with pastel flowers and lush greens, occupying the remaining three sections of the ballroom.

Models walked the 300-foot runway. Each designer brought his muse to breathe life to his creations. The muses were Alex Gonzaga, Jessica Kienle, Rima Ostwani, Angel Jacob, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Tiffany Janson and Catriona Gray. In between collections were performances by the Resorts World Manila dancers and Philippine Ballet Theater. There was also a sentimental wedding time capsule capturing thoughts of a bride on her special day.

The Marry Me at Marriott bridal show was the last of the five consecutive spectacles (one of these was the James Ingram concert) to launch the Marriott Grand Ballroom and showcase its limitless possibilities. General manager Bruce Winton said,  “This show is just the first of the many creative events that can happen here and creativity is the only thing that stops them on how to maximize 8,000 sq. m. of space.”

The Marriott Grand Ballroom is poised to be the country’s most prestigious address for social events, offering a total of 8,000 sq. m. lavish space, housing the Philippines’ largest ballroom that can accommodate 2,500 guests for banquet and 4,000 for cocktails. In addition are 28 versatile venues to choose from. It is a space specially designed for weddings that showcase opulent space, incomparable state-of-the-art technology, a glamouros photo venue, elegant bridal suites with private gardens, versatile ceremonial halls and impeccable service.

(For inquiries, call 988-9999 or visit manilamarriott.com, Facebook.com/Marriotthotelmanila, @marriottmanila on Twitter and @manilamarriott on Instagram.)

Design with heart

Architecture and design bring life and color into spaces. But more than that is their primary function to connect and allow individuals from all walks of life to live and work in a setting that’s enabling, convenient and purposeful.

Inspiring young Filipino architects and designers to create projects with people in mind, one of Asia’s leading coating manufacturer Nippon Paint officially launched the Nippon Paint Young Designer Award (NPYDA) 2015 with its latest theme “Design with Heart.”

In an intimate media gathering held at The Peninsula Manila’s Rigodon Ballroom, group general manager of Nippon Paint Malaysia Gladys Goh said, “This year’s theme aims to spur young interior designers and architects in creating concepts that instill convenience, practicality and purpose into our living, working and leisure spaces.”

Judges for the Interior Design category are Michael Pizarro, Rachelle Medina, Vincent Louie Tan, Belen Morey, Jose Maria Hubilla, Wilfrid Nicholo Magcase, Marichie Costelo and Roland Laurena. Architecture category judges include Jose Ramon Carunungan, Eduardo Calma, Rolando Cordero, Chona Elvas-Ponce, Consuelo Buencamino, Carmelo Casas, Abelardo M. Tolentino Jr. and Nina Bailon Arce.

Following the successful launch of the NPYDA 2015 in Manila was its rollout in the cities of Cebu and Davao. The NPYDA expects to see a bigger pool of talent from schools nationwide as it is working with such reputable professional societies such as Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, Council of Interior Design Educators, United Architects of the Philippines, and Council of Deans and Heads in Architecture Schools in the Philippines, Lor Calma & Partners, Casas + Architects, Commission on Higher Education, and Philippine Green Building Council.

Aspirants can choose between two categories — Architecture and Interior Design. Each participant is given a fixed area size to conceptualize his or her ideal environment that promotes a sense of belonging. Deadline of submission is on Sept. 30.

Grand winners will receive P50,000 cash prize, a six-month internship at Lor Calma & Partners (for Interior Design)/ Casas Architects (for Architecture), plus an  all-expense paid overseas trip for a learning program, an exclusive workshop crafted especially for winners featuring internationally renowned speakers in the fields of architecture and interior design.

Goh added, “This is a platform where young interior designers and architects are challenged to break through the limits and confines of conservative thinking, so we encourage everyone to step up and take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

(For more information, visit www.youngdesigneraward.ph.) (Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)