Winners of free back-up photography

A couple who met at the queue to the restroom during an Oktoberfest gimmick. Another whose courtship lasted only one week and are now happy parents. Then there are those two who met in a chatroom but decided to see each other in person only after four years.

These three VERY lucky couples will receive free back-up photography service from the very talented and very generous Joey Boquiren.

CONGRATULATIONS to:

Kiko and Tine – Nov. 18 at the Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega + Summit Ridge Hotel

King and Maan – Dec. 30 at the Notre Dame de Vie in Paranaque + Fernbrook Gardens

Mark and Gina – Dec. 06 at the Santisimo Rosario Parish in UST + Ramon Magsaysay Center

Please e-mail your new back-up photographer ( naaaks!) at botchok_817@yahoo.com to make arrangements for his coverage of your wedding. You guys are SO going to have lovely photos!

I’d like to thank everyone who joined the contest. It was fun reading all your unique ideas and stories.  As Joey said, he thought some of the other weddings described would undoubtedly be gorgeous, but the wedding dates conflicted with his schedule, so…

Now GREAT NEWS for couples getting married in 2010!  This early, Joey pledged to open the same contest next year as a “labor of love.” Having been blessed in his work, he would like to bless couples, too, especially those whose budgets would not allow them to hire a good back-up photographer.

How incredible is that! So stay tuned people!

How to help typhoon victims

First, hugs to those whose weddings were canceled due to the typhoon. That must be a nightmare after all those months of preps. BUT if your families are safe, then count yourself blessed. My deepest condolences go to those who have lost their loved-ones and their homes in this typhoon.

As I write this, thousands are still stranded, cold and hungry, and probably losing hope. Please, let’s not abandon them. Help in whatever way you can. It does not have to be something big. Every good deed counts at this time. My sisters in Cavite are making sandwiches and preparing stuff to bring to their friends who are still in the flooded areas. I am forwarding names and addresses of stranded families in Metro Manila to my media friends to refer to authorities. The Filipino community here in Hong Kong is also organizing relief efforts.

Our church, Victory Christian Fellowship has been tirelessly and efficiently extending help as well. I would like to do my part by sharing their work and the needs that have yet to be met.

Those who want to donate cash through Victory, you will find details here. Those who wish to give food, water, clothes, toiletries or simply give your time as a volunteer, please check this. You can also visit Victory’s Facebook page

If you have loved-ones who are still stranded or trapped in flooded areas, you can find the contact numbers of government offices, organizations and individuals that are involved in rescue operations here.

Above all, let us pray unceasingly for our people. God hears us.

Alohandmade headbands

Confession: I’m an online window-shopping addict and I’m crazy about things handmade. Which is why Etsy is like Disneyland to me. It was in one of my forays there that I found  My Vintage Lolita. I went giddy when I saw that the seller was based in Metro Manila (my mind already calculating what would be shaved off the shipping cost) and immediately went over to her Multiply shop (NOTE: The same items are priced lower on her Multiply because, she said, they’re meant for Filipino buyers. Her pieces are pegged at P350-P2,500, depending on the fabric used.)

These are her latest pieces, the first two inspired by the very glamorous but very expensive Jennifer Behr collection for brides.

Ana Largado, the girl behind these handmade headbands, started the business in September 2008 after quitting her day job as customer service representative to pursue her passion, which is making these pretty things. Her style ranges from dreamy to vintage to hippie…

She also does custom pieces, so if there’s anything you see on Etsy that you like but want to save on shipping cost, you might want to ask if she can make a similar one for you. 8 )