Calbayog's Team CUSOG wins Airsoft Cup

Congratulations Calbayog's Team Cusog. They won the first place in the 2nd Mayor Eric Codilla Airsoft Cup. The said competition was held on November 24, 2007 in Ormoc City.

Jude Maga (standing, extreme left) with some CUSOG members after the competition.

for other pictures and details, check this link.

it was the night before . . . well not exactly Christmas

Do you still remember my feature (in my other blog) about the recent SK election? It happened about a month ago. On the eve of the said election I was able to take a shot (from a distance, of course) of a group of young people gathered at the youth hostel. It turns out the young people were not there for some seminar, prayer meeting or something. They were voters from a certain barangay and were herded to the place (for the night and until election time, I suppose). For what reason? Well, the answer is familiar to everone as it is always said in loud whispers: para dire mabadil.

So, were the youngsters expecting something? Your guess is as good as mine. Well, whatever those young people (and the candidate who herded them) were into, it seems like Chrismas came early for them.

Feast of Christ the King

The Statue of Christ, the King on the altar prepared for the celebration

The presider and concelebrants as they enter the sanctuary. (l-r) Fr. Prisco Cajes, Fr. Jun Junco, Fr. Arman Obal and Fr. Salvador Cerbito

that's me, the commentator for the celebration

here are some pictures of the members of the CKC Jose Gomez Orchestra as the performed during the Holy Mass

Some orchestra members with their trainor-conductor Fr. Marlowe Rosales, ofm (right) as they were presented during the launching

(r-l) Fr. Tony Rosales, Fr. Arman Obal and Fr. Prisco Cajes

all in a day's work

Nope, there's no accident, parade or something. This view of a portion Sen. Pres. Avelino Avenue is what one usually gets on a regular class day when the students of LMA and the employees at the City Hall all go out at the same time at 12 noon to make it home for the lunch break. In case you think the PD cab drivers contribute much in messing things up, you are correct. Many of them do that even with traffic aides around.

Pheona and Nick's (on-site) wedding video

I managed to download from Jason Magbanua's webpage the on-site video played during Pheona and Nick's wedding reception. Enjoy!

My Cousin's Wedding

Hi! My apologies for the hibernation that my blogs took during the past so many days. I was on my toes coordinating the wedding of my cousin Pheona Camille Ladrero.

Pheona (or Darling) married Nicholas Steven Alexander Robinson (or Nick) last Thursday, November 15, 2007 (yup, the day the heavens decided to send rains to Metro Manila leaving many areas flooded and causing traffic jams in major thoroughfares).

The Nuptial Mass was held at the Manila Cathedral with Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez as mass presider and Palo Archbishop Jose Palma as homilist. Concelebrating with them were Msgr. Bienvenido Chiquillo, Msgr. Roy Rosales, Msgr. Anton Versoza, Fr. Mike Aguilar, Fr. Tony Mahinay and Fr. Carmelo Pacanza. Bernie Pasamba provided the music during the mass.

Guests were treated to cocktails at the Upper Lobby of The Manila Peninsula. Dinner followed at the Conservatory which was turned into an English Garden by stylist Tony Rodriguez.

The gown was made by New-York based celebrity designer Reem Accra.

I'll be giving out more details of the wedding in the days to come. In the meantime, let me share with you some pictures courtesy of Dino Lara and an on-site video from Jason Magbanua.

For the pictures, please check this link.

For the video, please check this link.

For their wedding channel website, please check this link.

Happy Birthday Mama

My mom VICTORIA LADRERO - RICAFORT turns 70 years old today. Happy Birthday! We Love you!

bonding at The Pen

I checked my mobile phone and I saw some pictures which I managed to take after Pheona and Nick's wedding reception.

Some relatives and friends took time to bond at the upper lobby of the Manila Pen after a night of partying at the Conservatory.

Freda Ladrero, Vic Ricafort and Lea Viojan-Gellez

Nieves Tallon and Belen Cañada-Abesamis

Ruth Viojan-Rocklein, Freda Ladrero, Vic Ricafort and Edgar Abesamis

Councilor Noel Sermense with my assistant (wedding) coordinator Warren Taperla

me and Warren

Pheona and Nick's Wedding Rehearsal

Pheona and Nick were supposed to have their wedding rehearsal at the Manila Cathedral today. But thanks to the notorious Manila traffic, we arrvied late. Well, not excactly late. Guests for the next event, the mass for the new Apostolic Nuncio, were already arriving when we made it to Intramuros.

On the way out, we met Archbishop Jose Palma who will be the homilist in the wedding mass two days later. After some introductions and hellos, the group headed off to greenbelt for the rehearsal dinner at Via Mare.

Here are some pictures I managed to take that day:

Archbishop Palma being greeted by Nick and Pheona

Rosalie and Dr. John Hermos (partly hidden), both from Nick's side and Pheona's cousin Randy Ricafort look on as the Archbishop take time to talk with the couple.

. . . and at the rehearsal dinner . . .

Mrs. Nila Bernardo - Suan exchanging pleasantries with Mrs. Rosalie Hermos

Dr. John Hermos takes time to talk with Honey Ricafort and Ninay Ladrero

Mrs. Ruth Viojan-Rocklein, Atty. Noel Sermense and Mr. Cesario Ricafort help themselves at the buffet

Mr. Cesario Ricafort, Mrs. Evelina Cañada-Abesamis and Mrs. Victoria Ricafort

Dr. Judith-Reyes with Mrs. Victoria Ricafort

sisters Ruth Rocklein and Judith Reyes

Ethel Conchas-Doblon and her kids AJ, Francis and Niño

Pheona and Nick's pre-nuptial pictorials

Pheona and Nick had their pre-nuptial pictorial today. It was done at the studio Dino Lara. Present in that meeting cum pre-nup photo shoot was Jason Magbanua. Here are some pix I took during the meeting.

Nick and Pheona with Jason Magbanua

Dino (L) and Jason discussing some wedding details with the couple

(l-r) Dino, Pheona, Nick and Jason

Dino, Nick, me and Jason

Pheona's trial make-up

Pheona, Nick and Tita Freda were at the salon of Eddie Bruan today for their trial (hair and) makeup. The intial result for tita Freda was a look that reminded me of Jane Fonda. On the day of the wedding she opted for a Hilary Clinton hairstyle.

Pheona with Eddie Bruan

meeting the cake artist aka sugar flower lady

Today, Pheona and Nick met with their "cake lady", Judy Uson. Judy is best known for her sugar flowers (and that's how Tony Rodriguez referred to her). The couple decided to order a four-later fondant cake of three flavors - red velvet, apple walnut and carrot and decorated with Judy's famous sugar flowers and Swarovski crystal.

that's me with Judy (center) and Pheona