Here are some pictures I’m really drawn to… do comment if you feel the same way, too

–

together with our parents
Mr. Severino M. Manangu  |  Mrs. Judith Victoria V. Manangu
and
Mr. Alfredo T. Fronda  |  Mrs. Adoracion V. Fronda

–

invite you to worship with us
and witness our vows
as we are united in Christ

–

Friday, May twenty-eight
at seven o’ clock in the morning
Twenty hundred and ten

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Makati Park and Garden
JP Rizal Extension, West Rembo
Makati City, Metro Manila
Reception follows at the same venue

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PRINCIPAL SPONSORS

Maria Vera Venturanza-Yu  |  Atty. Alberto E. Venturanza
Lourdes M. Manangu  |  Gilbert M. Manangu
Adela B. Tupas  |  Henry V. Tupas
Isidora F. Castro  |  Fernando M. Castro

–

Nora N. Carpio  |  Danilo T. Rodero
Leticia V. Agapay  |  Perfetoo V. Lope
Geoffrey L. Uymatiao  |  Fe V. Capistrano
Marichu Daisy S. Jimenea  |  Joey A. Bermudez

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BEST MEN

Aristheo V. Fronda
Arnold V. Fronda

MAIDENS-OF-HONOR

Angela Rosa V. Tagnia
Daniele Nicole D. Brion

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GROOMSMEN

Alvin V. Fronda
Michael Julian V. Manangu
Romeo Ben V. Manangu
Randy C. Olap
Allan G. Expression
Kristofferson M. Tenorio

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BRIDESMAIDS

Abigail V. Fronda
Ana Marie V. Fronda
Alexandra V. Lapa
Raissa May S. Venturanza
Maria Rica S. Venturanza
Jenny Laine M. Cesar

–

JUNIOR GROOMSMAN

Airon V. Fronda

JUNIOR BRIDESMAID

Arabella V. Fronda

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SECONDARY SPONSORS

To light our path
Avelina B. Urriza
Ptr. Isagani M. Maningas Jr.

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To clothe us as one
Virna Naomi S. Venturanza
James Ross V. Tagnia

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To bind us together
Maya B. Lope
Ptr. Enrico S. Lucena

–

To carry our symbol of love
Gianni Luigie A. Manangu

To carry our symbol of treasure
Isaiah Christopher V. Rempillo

To carry our symbol of faith
Jamaric Jes S. Urriza

–

To shower our aisle with flowers
Alexandria Mitchelle M. Sulit
Venice T. Manangu
Lali L. Borlaza

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OFFICIATING MINISTER
Pastor Romeo C. Nicolas

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Formal Dress

Adult reception

–

We have reserved __ seat/s for you.
The favor of a reply is requested

RSVP
Alvin 0923 920 1583
Michael 0922 845 0296 / 02 824 9596
Robby 0922 845 0295 / 02 824 9596

–

Love the joy of choosing gifts?
Wrap the chosen captive?
If thoughts elude in this regard
gifts in envelopes are attractive!

–

(map)

–

www.artandaggie.com

Click to enlarge map

Thank you to Scrappin’ Moms for this comprehensive guide with map!

FROM THE NORTH (Quezon City, Caloocan):

Via Private Transportation:

Take EDSA and travel South towards Guadalupe. Make a right turn immediately after crossing the bridge, then make a right turn at the intersection. You’ll pass under the bridge heading East on J.P. Rizal Extension. Go straight until you see the Makati Parks & Garden Entrance on your left. The park is right in front of Pamantasan ng Makati.

Via Public Transportation:

Ride a bus towards Guadalupe and alight at the MRT Guadalupe Terminal. Cross EDSA through the terminal towards Guadalupe Commercial Complex, then walk to the jeepney terminal. Ride a jeep towards Taguig/Pateros and ask the driver to let you off at Makati Parks.

FROM THE SOUTH (Alabang, Parañaque, Las Piñas,Cavite):

Via Private Transportation:

Take EDSA straight to Guadalupe, turn right immediately after Guadalupe Commercial Complex. Follow the curve then turn right at J.P. Rizal Extension. Go straight until you see Makati Parks on your left.

OR you may take the expressway to C-5. Follow C-5 Road going to Pasig. You’ll pass Market Market on your left. Head towards the intersection of C-5 and Kalayaan Ave. Then turn left towards Kalayaan Avenue (there’s a u-turn slot after the intersection).  Go straight towards North Cembo. Turn right at the intersection, then turn right towards Makati Parks entrance.

Via Public Transport:

Ride a bus towards Guadalupe. Alight at Guadalupe Commerical Complex then take a jeep towards Taguig. Ask the driver to let you off at Makati Parks.

FROM THE EAST (Pasig, Cainta, Taytay, Antipolo):

Via Private Transportation:

Take C-5 towards Makati. Turn right at Kalayaan Ave (Buting) then head straight towards North CEMBO. Turn right at intersection, then turn right towards Makati Parks entrance.

Via Public Transportation:

Ride an FX cab going to Ayala. Tell the driver to let you off at Gate 1. Alight at Gate 1, then walk down towards Makati Parks & Garden.

OR you can take EDSA, then ride a bus towards Guadalupe and alight at the MRT Guadalupe Terminal. Cross EDSA through the terminal towards Guadalupe Commercial Complex, then walk to the jeepney terminal. Ride a jeep towards Taguig and ask the driver to let you off at Makati Parks.

FROM THE WEST (Mandaluyong, San Juan):

Via Private Transportation:

Fastest way is to take the Makati-Mandaluyong bridge then head towards J.P. Rizal Extension.  You’ll pass by Rockwell, continue straight heading East via J.P. Rizal until you reach Makati Parks.

Via Public Transportation:

Fastest way is to get to Makati Circle, then ride a jeep towards Guadalupe Ilalim. Alight at Guadalupe, then ride another jeep towards Taguig. Ask the driver to let you off at Makati Parks.

Thank you so much for agreeing to be part of our Bridal Entourage.  Just by your agreement, you have already made us so happy!  Apart from your natural good looks and pleasing personality (ahemahem), we have chosen you because you are special to us.  Thank you very much for doing us this honor!

We’d really appreciate it if you could leave behind a comment or simple shout-out on this post to let us know once you’ve read this already.  =)

As we may have mentioned before, we’ll be sending you the cloth for your dresses.  We deeply appreciate that you have agreed to take care of the patahi for the girls, and the suit rental for the guys.  =)

Please just take note of the following simple guidelines for your attire, and the color motif:

FOR ATE ANGEL AND NIKKI, THE HOT MAIDENS-OF-HONOR

Credits to About.Com

FOR OUR LOVELY BRIDESMAIDS AND JUNIOR BRIDESMAID

Credits to About.Com

FOR OUR STUNNING SECONDARY SPONSORS, ATES VIRNA, BABES, AND MICE

Credits to Posh Girl Vintage

FOR OUR CUTE FLOWERGIRLS ALI, VENICE, AND LALIE

Credits to Light in the Box

FOR OUR BEST MEN, GROOMSMEN, JUNIOR GROOMSMAN, AND SECONDARY SPONSORS

Art together with Best Men Aris and Arnold will be coordinating with you in the coming days for a suit rental, to ensure uniformity.  We will provide you with custom-made neckties of fuchsia taffeta to wear on the day.  Please prepare a plain white polo shirt to wear inside the suit in case it’s not part of the rental.

We’ll just expect you to show up at your most handsome (cut and shaved like a prince ), wearing black leather shoes and black socks.

FOR OUR LITTLE MEN (GIAN, ICE, AND JEROME)

Please ask your mommies to prepare for you a long-sleeved plain white polo shirt, black pants, and your best black leather school shoes.  Tito Art and Tita Aggie will provide you a fuchsia bowtie and cummerbund to wear on the day itself.

This is pretty much it.  We’ll be coordinating with you regarding sending the cloth/renting the suits.  For questions, please just get in touch with Aggie.  Thank you very much, and God bless you all!

Love,

Art and Aggie

If your name is on this list, please also click on to Dress Me Up! Tips for our Entourage for guidelines on your attire.

FRONDA – MANANGU NUPTIALS

May 28, 2010 / Makati Park and Garden

Officiant: Pastor Romeo C. Nicolas

I am proud to present our snazzy Save the Date card, courtesy of one of our lovely Maidens of Honor Nikki!

Formal invitations will be ready in April, so we’ll send these out in the meantime via FB and email.  Watch out for it!

For all who are interested in how this came to be, here in pictures and brief prose is THE STORY OF US:

Starting Out: What were We Thinking?

I was hardly aware of Art that first day of on-the-job training at Consumer Loans Operations, but apparently I had a warm and beautiful smile that pretty much did him in.  The day soon rolled around when I would have to learn about how to clear checks, and little did I know about his crafty manuevers to make sure that he would be the one to teach me.  It turned out to be fateful.  A few minutes with this mabango, quiet, and gentle fellow with the naughty eyes and delicious complexion and I was hooked as well.

Both only weeks fresh from break-ups of years-long relationships, we found ourselves at a crossroads in December 2005.  Everything happened so fast that we hardly had the time to think, but a chance at love was presenting itself to us, pressing us to trust without asking so many questions.

Of course there were BUMPS on the road.  And how!  I remember telling him, “Masyado kang banal, and ako I don’t believe in anything.  Hindi tayo magtatagal.  I just gave you a chance because I think you’re cute.”  I had always imagined I would end up with a brooding, existential, right-brain type who would dream of despair and suicide with me while making high art.  On the days when we weren’t making googly-eyes at each other (because we really were head over heels in love), we would fight passionately about whether God existed or not, and if He did exist if He were truly loving or truly cruel.  In Art’s private prayers during this time, he would ask God again and again if he did the right thing in choosing to be yoked with an unbeliever.

Reaching the Next Level:  Art’s Prayers Answered

Art soon learned wisely not to spar with me on the all-important matter of God and his place in the universe.  Instead he sustained his prayers for God to make the effort to introduce Jesus to my thirsty soul.

On my part, I found the quiet a good opportunity to observe Christ in action in Art’s life.  As his girlfriend, I bore close witness to his quiet trust in Providence, his self-control even in the face of daring provocation, his freedom from worry, his gentleness and kindness emanating from what seemed to be an other-worldly core.  I was during this time still wallowing in the despair of existence, trying to find my answers within myself and in other people.  I was dreadfully envious that peaceful Art seemed to have all the answers.

During one particularly trying Sunday, I considered during a lunch date at Shakey’s Greenbelt about how it would be nice to end up with Art.  But in the same heartbeat, I realized the relationship couldn’t last if it were to be based on our own personal agendas and selfish beliefs.  After refusing his invitations so many times before, I humbled myself and asked him to bring me to church.  And the rest was history.

Pastor Art and Baby Aggie

So by opening my heart and mind a little bit, I began to find out many things.  I found out that God was indeed loving, and had a wonderful plan for all of us.  I found out that He created me and knew me better than anyone, and that He knew that left to my own devices I was headed toward destruction.  Then I soon understood, in that shining moment of my life where my heart and mind were wisest, that God sent his only Son Jesus, sinless and innocent as he was,  to take all the punishment for everything shameful that I had done, if only to grant me a chance to be with Him always at the end of this life of pain and suffering.

The knowledge once accepted was liberating and heady.  How wonderful it was to be loved from all sides, my soul loved and kept by Jesus divine, my earthly person loved and kept by gentle and long-suffering Art.  Aside from all these wonderful discoveries, I began to find out more about Art. I found out how God was using him to share the good news of Jesus to other thirsty souls like myself.  I found out how God spoke through him when he would take the pulpit on Sundays to preach.  And I found out how marvelously he was used by the Lord to guide the many young people of Christ the Counselor Fellowship (CCF) toward upright and godly lives.  How was I going to become a helpmeet suitable for him?

I had just gotten to know Jesus at this time.  Aside from being the eldest and default cabin counselor of the young ladies of Fira House during the Youth Camp in Nagcarlan, I had little notion of what God planned for me in the future.  But soon I began to wonder where all these were leading.   In the same thoughtful way Mary was taking everything in when Jesus was growing up, I kept all these observations in my heart.

Becoming Ate Aggie to Kuya Art: Accepting the Commission

Art was mentor to both young men and women in CCF at this time.  How surprised I was when I was tasked to mentor young ladies of my own.  I started out with Ritzel, Micah, Jane, and Cathleen… and eventually, Janice, Reiann, Jacque, and Patricia as well.  It wasn’t easy starting out, but by God’s grace my little group soon started evolving into a formidable team for God’s Kingdom.

So it seemed that in God’s complex imaginings He had succeeded through seemingly simple ways in providing Art a partner for ministry, someone who could help him mentor the girls in godly womanhood and who could join in him encouraging the guys to be better men.  Soon we spent so much of our time together talking about how to improve the ministry, and without really sensing it, we were falling ever more madly in love with each other.  We truly became partners at this time, drawing up dreams and grand plans for the Church, pondering the kids’ problems as would a father and mother, challenging each other to learn more about God’s Word, praying with and for each other.  We still had our faults, but God used both of us to whittle each other into shape.  We were becoming better people for each other in the course of our service to God.

The Critical Junction: Jesus or Art?

We were soon settling into a comfortable routine.  He loved me.  I loved him.  We became best friends, supporting each other through work and personal stresses over lunch or during walks we liked to take.  Then on Sundays, I took my place at his side at youth leader meetings, a constant support and sounding board in our many activities and projects.  The relationship was reaching a level of predictability that could have been either one of two things: the beginning of the end, or the signal to go to the next level.

One day, the littlest of things set off the most ground-breaking of conflicts… one where Art was pressed to declare where he wanted to go with the relationship and I was on point to evaluate what was the most God-honoring use of my time and affections.  After about two weeks of internally wrestling with confusion, intense emotion and each other, we parted ways in October 2008.

Becoming the Girl (space) Friend God Intended

What did breaking up with Art feel like?  Like I sliced my heart with a serrated knife clean off my chest, stabbed it several times, squeezed a basket of calamansi on it, and put it right back, throbbing.  I’m not kidding.

People couldn’t understand why we broke up, and on particularly difficult days, neither could we.  We seemed so in love and so devoted to each other, and there were some who couldn’t imagine us fighting over anything.  Art shared to members of our Church how he always prayed that God would lead me to maturity in Christ.  During this time, however, he would add ruefully that he had no idea God was going to do just that, by cutting him out of the picture.  On my part, I threw myself into my work, my ministry, and my other relationships.  Independently, we worked on being still and humbled enough to hear God speak.

After the first stormy weeks had passed, we actually became the best of friends during this time… with both the pressure and complacency of a relationship off our shoulders.  In straight words we could never say to each other as boyfriend-girlfriend without provoking a shouting match, we encouraged each other to be more mature, to be better, and to be more responsible.

Managing the emotions that came when we were around each other continued to be difficult, but we pressed on still serving alongside each other in church.  I became busy with my own life and the possibilities that lay ahead of me, hardly aware of what new plans Art was hatching for the year 2009.

After weeks of praying and talking and praying some more, almost at the close of 2008 Art asked for me back with real plans on his lips and purpose in his eyes.  I looked up at the sky for guidance, and did what any sensible girl in my position would do.  I said, “Yes.”

Thank you, Lord.

The Proposal

And so we found ourselves back with each other, ever more committed, patient, and loving now since God had taught us just how much we had to lose.  Our happiness became tempered with rationality and consideration… gaining another dimension that made it evolve into pure and simple JOY.

The first half of 2009 was a blur, until that day Art insisted that I meet him at MOA on August 8, 2009 just to walk around.  After a long talk with no agenda in particular over pancit and halo-halo at Razon’s, evening fell and we sat by the bay to watch fireworks, which suddenly started popping in the sky at that very convenient time.  I was tensing up inexplicably as I leaned back against him and my face was burning. What exactly was going on?

As the fireworks ended, out of nowhere came Art’s hand with a tiny transparent box enclosing a red cushion and a sparkly little ring.  Before he even whispered, “Will you marry me?”, of course I already knew what I was going to say.

And the rest, they say, is history.  :)

Here are the fruits of our labor, against the backdrop of Makati Park and Garden’s most picturesque spots:

Thank you to the following people who made it all possible:

• Art – For being a sweetie even when stress made me the shrew of shrews.  Thanks for staying calm when I feel like there’s a thunderstorm in my heart.  Ang handsome ng groom ko… and it shows in the photos!  Of course, it’s real love that makes these pictures jump out, right?
• Photographers Richard Mojica and Jowell Mariano – Praise God that our free prenup pictorial GC from attending the Before I Do Workshop was able to secure for us the services of two incredibly talented and super nice photographers from Imagine Nation Photography!  These guys were soo patient with us, and had a real eye for beauty and detail.  They really went way beyond expectations.
• Bridesmaids Rae Venturanza and Alex Lapa – Tell me, how blessed am I to be related to these two?  What are the odds of a bride having both a make-up artist and a stylist in the family?  Slim to none, so thank God!  My two wonderful cousins helped me shop, dressed me, primped me, and even fed and drove me (love you, Raissa!) so that all I had to do was to sit still and be a glamourpuss for the camera.  I am forever in their debt.
• Best Man Arnold Fronda and Groomsman Alvin Fronda – Three-day sales at SM are crazy, and so are a bride and groom in total stress over a wedding preparations.  Thank God Arn and Vin were up to the task of running all over the department store to get sizes and waiting as Art and I fitted stuff!  We were able to get cool outfits for Art without incident.  And Arn went an extra mile to assist Art during the shoot… truly our best man.  :)

In other news:

• Finally met Mae this month for the gown design!  We’re turning Mommy’s vintage gown into a modern satin and lace confection.  Watch out for it!

I’m not sure if you remember how I described this venue in my last post, so to refresh your memory:

After setting out on our own back to Makati, we decided to pay a visit to this one venue which we had long been hearing about, but never got around to visit. Little did we know that we were about to step into… THE ONE. The venue of venues.

I am loath to post pictures here of THE ONE since in our sheer delight, we actually forgot to snap some shots. The few shots we have of the party venue itself did not do much justice to it either.

Instantly, upon entering the grounds, Art and I began to feel things slowly click into place. The air was crisp and cool, the greenery was lush, and the simple pathways meandered this way and that… there were many of them and the choices just added to the allure of the place. It was huge, and there was so much to explore. At each turn was a cozy perch where friends could share long intimate chats and lovers could whisper sweet nothings undisturbed. All framed in the soft hue of reasonably-distanced lampstands and warmly glowing Christmas lights hanging all around. Yes, yes, this venue makes me wax poetic! This is the way it made me feel. I thought, not without a little flush, “I could get married here!”

I suppose the real reason why this appealed so much to us was because of the way Art and I envisioned our wedding. More on that in another post, but in this venue’s simple charms and practical functionality serves us so well. And the price, now that’s the best part. But reserving it–hurdling the process–is another story.

Therefore you must be expecting something really breath-taking at this point.  And so, without further ado, I’d like to present the simple yet beautiful setting for our I Do’s: Makati Park!

Things Art and I liked about Makati Park:

• The sprawling grounds.  Where do we begin?  There are gardens, trellises, aviaries, gazebos, fish ponds, benches… essentially lots of space to ramble about.  We hope you, our guests, enjoy every bit of it.
• The space – it’s huge!  We can invite more people we know and love should God decide to bless us with more resources.  (Which I trust He will.)
• The price.  We shelled out just enough to feed a dozen  people to make the full payment on the venue.  That to me is real value.  Thank you, Mayor Binay, for your good management of Makati taxes to make this possible.  Hehe.

Still much left to do, but at least this is one thing off our list.  Thanks, Arnold and Oman!  Arn is doing a good job as Best Man so far–even though he just found out he was that man this Wednesday.  Hehe… ‘Di bale at least there are two of you, right?

More updates to come, watch for it!

Attire

• Bridal Gown: MESA Bridal (1/10/10)
• Bridal Shoes: Confetti (May 2010)
• Bridal Garter: ??
• Lingerie: Wacoal (April 2010)
• Bride’s Jewelry: ??
• Bridal Headpieces/Veil: c/o Ate Mia (2/2010)
• Bridesmaid dresses: c/o Bridesmaids (4/20/10)
• Bridesmaid accessories: c/o Bridesmaids (4/20/10)
• Groom’s suit: Gardini (4/24/10)
• Groom’s shoes: ??
• Groomsmen suits: Gardini (4/24/10)

Ceremony

• Church: Makati Park (1/26/10) – Special thanks to Arn and Oman!
• Bible: ??
• Unity Cord: MESA Bridal (1/10/10)
• Ring bearer pillow: Bought at Tutuban (4/18/10)
• Flower girl basket: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Unity candle: c/o Mommy (May 2010)
• Matches: ??
• Arrhae: c/0 Ate Mia (03/21/10)
• Sponsor’s pen: ??
• Music: c/o Arvin Marquez and Gani Maningas (4/2010)

Reception

• Venue: Makati Park (1/26/10) – Special thanks to Arn and Oman!
• Caterer: Hizon’s (1/10/10)
• Cake: Harrie Brazal (4/20/10)
• Dessert Bar: Hizon’s (1/10/10)
• Music: Musical Direction by Arvin Marquez and Gani Maningas (1/10/10)
• Singer: Sitti Navarro, Arnold Fronda, Abigail Fronda (1/10/10)
• Host: Nikki Brion (1/10/10)
• Lights & Sounds: ??
• Toasting Glasses: ??

Stationery

• Invitations: c/o CCF Youth and Fronda family (3/21/10)
• Save-the-Date: DONE by Nikki Brion (3/21/10)

Flowers

• Bride’s bouquet: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Bridesmaids’ bouquet: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Corsage: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Boutonniere: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Reception centerpieces: Hizon’s (1/10/10)
• Altarpieces: Hizon’s (1/10/10)
• Aisle flower: Hizon’s (1/10/10)
• Throw away bouquet: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Flower girls’ basket: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Rose petals: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)
• Bridal car: Full Blooms Flower Shop (4/24/10)

Photography

• Pre-Nup shoot: Richard Mojica and Jowell Mariano (2/20/10)
• Photo: Imagine Nation Photography (4/24/10)
• Video: Imagine Nation Photography (4/24/10)
• Back-up Photo: ??
• Trash-the-dress shoot: ?? (still thinking about it)

Gifts & Favors

• Attendant: ??
• Offertory: ??
• Principal Sponsors: ??
• Entourage: ??
• Guests: Harrie Brazal (4/19/10)

Miscellaneous

• Marriage License: ??
• OTD Wedding Coordinators: Ilia Uy and Anna Balmonte (1/10/10)
• HMUA: Rae Venturanza (1/10/10)
• Hotel preps: New Horizon Hotel (May 2010)
• Guestbook: ??
• Wedding Rings: ??
• Bridal Car: ??
• Wedding motif: Fuschia and Aqua Green (1/10/10)
• Wedding theme: Christ (1/10/10)
• Transportation: ??

Honeymoon

• Air fare: PAL (May 2010)
• Hotel Accomodation: Bohol Bee Farm (May 2010)

2: Thanks to W@Wie Eyzel of Project Dream Wedding for this great idea!