The Reception

This is the reception area, minutes before it gets filled with guests.


The place of honor, as Kuya Dylan refers to it.


The Salad Station.


This is Kuya Dylan Halili, Joanne's cousin and our emcee. Guests say they liked our emcee who gave the reception a very lively mood. During their dinner treat in that delightful Spanish wine bar in Ortigas after our wedding, Dave & Carol mention that they recognize Kuya Dylan as the emcee in one of their family parties. Kuya Dylan works as a DJ in DW Rock 96.3. Contact us if you want Kuya Dylan to host your event.

Thank you Kuya Dylan!

We enter the reception after the sound system is in place.


Our guests welcome us cheerfully as we make our entrance.


There was that loud popping sound that made us jump. Turns out to be the confetti.


The Cutting Of The Cake. The waiter shared with us the secret on how to do this properly.


You can't have your cake and eat it too. Other than decoration, what else is the cake for?


The kiss before the wine. There was no escaping from the clinking of the glasses.


Pastor Marlon praying for food. He's the husband of our wedding coordinator, Yin.


With relatives. Nikos Dacanay, Tito Julius Estabillo, Tita Mae Dacanay (holding my hand), Tita Elga Estabillo, Tita Inday Naredo, Banaue held by her mom Kim Dacanay-Mendoza, Nicole Dacanay, Hadrian Mendoza, Tito Alex Dacanay, Tito Jules De Vera.


With relatives. Kuya Dylan, Mike Ong, my brother Xavier Estabillo, Gretel Co, Ate Missy Halili, Tita Lina Calimag, Megan Halili, Isha Calimag, Ina Calimag, Craig, Kuya Jonathan and our ring bearer seated on me, Sean Halili.

With relatives. Tito Henry Villar, Tita Beema Villar, Tito Alex Estabillo, Tita Lita Estabillo, Wife of Tito Roger, Miren Reysio-Cruz, Atty Micah Reysio-Cruz, Tito Roger Estabillo.


With friends. Odie Miranda (our best man), Jane Miranda, Ellen Gonzales, Ronald Gonzales, Allan Gonzales, Wela Montecillo, Robert Argarin, Michelle Argarin, Chippy Paguio & Cheryl Tuquib.


With friends from GMA NMI. Ivan Dedicatoria, JM Lozano, Amina Rillo, Levi, 2Ne Santos, JP Jose.


With relatives. Dr. Mars Reysio-Cruz carrying his grandson Joshua, Tita Grace Reysio-Cruz, Dr. Mark Reysio-Cruz, Sarah Reysio-Cruz, Tita Alice Gatchalian, Mrs. Jackie De Guzman and Pastor Dave De Guzman.


With GMA friends. Furdey Lomibao, Vhan Vargas, Lai Lozada, She Sandel, Kyla Liberato, Ms. Vicky Arradaza and Bing Manalo.


With friends. Beside me is Chloe Yao, our flower girl and beside Mel is Dean Davidas our Bible bearer. Behind us are Keith Yao, our coin bearer, Dave Yao, Carol Yao, Jake Davidas and Ging-ging.


With GMA NMI friends, Dr. Ayedee Domingo, Eyron Magtibay, Lucille Alado, Lyra Galvante, Faye Pinera, Mitchie Favis, Jonathan Castillo, Jalu Go and Josh Villanueva of GMA News.


With relatives. Bogs Sedigo, Willie Sedigo, Charmin Sedigo, Auntie Dulce Niadas, Ate Beth Parenas, Ate Rhoda Capili, Ate Sol Sedigo, Kuya Jojo Capili and Xerna Malones.


With GMA NMI friends. Bugs Bugarin, Mic Agcaoili, Ashley held by her dad Dingdong Caharian, Aya Caharian, Joan Balauitan, Mon Sarmiento and Perl Perlas.


With Anthony, Josanne, Auntie Susan, Auntie Tereng and Auntie Rogie.


With relatives. Kuya Nonoy Naredo, Ate Ludy Naredo, Ate Lorie Naredo, Baby Ymasa, Lenlen Alegro, Auntie Freda Alegro and Kuya Dingdong Naredo. MJ, our flower girl is beside me.


With Harlan Atuel, Burns Closa, Gladys Atuel, Edma Bunyi, Lanie Closa, Karen Isaguirre, Bobit Isaguirre and Emon Sese. Burns, Gladys, Bobit, Emon and I are part of the Tropang Hindi during our Mapua days. We still are tropa until now. Edma and I went a long way from hell and back.


With Uncle Jun Jamero carrying Andrew, Jonathan & Budong, Dimple & Bebeng, Tita Peachy, Mannie & Jerry holding his new baby. Aubrey, Uncle Jun's eldest daughter is standing beside me while Alyssa the 2nd daughter is beside Mel.


With friends. Johann & Erwin of Sagada Solutions, Corp., Lloyd & Chris of Net Effect, Ryan Peralta, Marissa and Rommel Perdon & their baby.

Happy Birthday Nathan! Radam wasn't able to attend because it was his son's birthday.


With relatives. Nanay Letty, Lola Fe, Uncle Rod Enano, Auntie Weng Enano , Auntie Chit, Uncle Art & son Jerome and BJ.


With friends, Cecille De Leon, Weng Asuncion, Chey Sibug, Kathy Dela Cruz, Guimo Dela Cruz, Tita, Tita Cecil, Joseph dela Cruz, Eliza dela Cruz, Joy Abaja.


With the Godparents. Ninang Lourdes, Mrs. Annie Mojica and Ninong Mojics.


With Jean, Ate Ezra and Angela. Sean can be seen in the background.

Ate Ezra is one impressive lady. She is an Interior Designer and a Pilot as well.


With our parents. Thanks to Edd Sy for the lovely gowns and the nice barongs. Thanks to Rhea for her untiring help with all gowns. Yin and Rhea make a good tandem.


Mr. Alfred Santiago & Ninang Nina Cruz, Ninang Naty & Mr. Fernando Maniclang.


Allan Gonzales, the Stevie Wonder of the Philippines, sings Beautiful In My Eyes. He sings another song after this. Thanks to his brother Ronald, for their wonderful gift. Allan performs regularly at the Podium. You may contact Ronald if you want to book Allan. Also, you can read Allan's story here.


Josh Villanueva sings Perfect Moment, Beautiful Bride, the song I wrote for my bride. Thanks to him and Pastor Jups of Musicworx for polishing the melody and putting the music to complete the song.


Josh sings another song. This time it's You're Still You by Josh Groban. He points upwards when Kuya Dylan voices out his appreciation for his talent, giving praise to God.


I prepared the AVP as a surprise for Joanne. I didn't get to finish it so my baby pics weren't included. Thanks to 2ne for the introduction, the part where the clouds move and the text appear to be written by hand. Thanks to Odie for sitting with me all throughout the night to finish it. I stayed in their hotel room with Jane on the night before the wedding. Thanks to Angela for scanning Joanne's baby pics and finding a way to send them to me.


Why did you include that picture?


The picture showing on the screen got oohs from the guests.


We decided to hold a raffle for the singles instead of the usual garter games and throwing of the bouquet. We knew Filipinos turn shy when it comes to these things. A gift awaits the one whose name is picked.


Presenting the single ladies...


and the single men.


Recipients of the gifts for the singles, Erwin and Vhan.

Just before his name was called, Erwin complained, "Pinagising mo na nga kami ng maaga, papa-raffle-in mo pa kami!" You already asked us to wake up early and now you're even asking us to join a raffle!


Ninang Nina gives us her message.


Odie gives a toast. He said he got too nervous.


We give our thanks to everyone.


Joanne needed a little nudge before she started speaking.


Kuya Dylan invites everyone to raise their hands towards us and pray for our blessing.


People join Kuya Dylan's call.


This is a very delightful scene. Even Ashley joins in the prayer.


Gretel & Xave raise their hands and bow their heads in prayer.