Magallanes Church and the Blue Leaf

I have lost faith in the Filipino people.

Until Tito Boy of Sheaths Couture, Me Ann of CBC events and Maja of Passion cooks changed my mind.

We started our wedding journey a day after our arrival in the Philippines. The first on our itinerary was a visit to Magallanes Church otherwise known as St. Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri in Magallanes Village. My parents had many questions that Sunday morning. Why not Manila Cathedral? Or San Agustin Church where my elder sister wed her now husband 5 years ago? My dad was convinced that the u-turn going to the church if you are coming from the south is practically non-existent nowadays. But we proceeded anyway with our plan.

My youngest sister was our assigned driver and it took us approximately 20 minutes to drive from Alabang to Magallanes church on a beautiful Sunday morning. One True North aka groom whose stage name is really One True Love or OTN was amazed with the artsy grandeur of the church. 

He took photos of the majestic choir loft and the immensely beautiful clean white buttresses marching down on its sides. If it were built in sandstones and not designed based on contemporary style, its unique architecture which reminds me of the Sydney opera house will surpass cathedrals old manila is known for. 

The aisle was just right, the swinging doors boast of engaging chiseled artworks and natural light was darting here and there from each sacred space.

Everything was working out as planned. Cathy Blanco of the parish office was accommodating and to me was far from the usual parishioner staffs I have encountered in the past who were stiff and stern and----old. She was young, open to modern suggestions and transactions were light and breezy like you are talking to an old friend you have not seen for awhile. So easy that she eventually gave way to our request to accept the reservation fee for the date we have chosen even if the wedding is not until 2012.

We then proceeded to Blue Leaf in McKinley Hill. This location is a good 20-30 minute drive from Magallanes church. It is secluded and celebrities are known to have graced this popular place. Honestly, I was not really impressed at first. Is this it? I asked my sister. Something more luminous must be hiding behind the garden. The exteriors looked seemingly ordinary and far from my expectations. I have attended a wedding in Fernbrook in Daanghari, Alabang and that venue which look resplendent like the Hanging gardens of Babylon literally took my breath away. Because I want our wedding to be exceptional and maybe…just maybe to try something different---I told OTN to visit Magallanes Church and the Blue Leaf. The photos will look absolutely brilliant, I believe so.

So what made me and OTN decide that Blue Leaf is the place to be? OTN armed with his camera, started snapping away pictures. He was convinced that the venue had its own charming beauty and because it is tucked away in a lovely hill called McKinley, definitely the venue will be solemn and pristine…as if we own the place for one day. Just for one day when OTN and I will joyously celebrate our official sacrament of matrimony in front of our parents dear and friends who really matter.

A wedding preparation was on its way the day we visited. 

The Silk Pavilion is enough for 250 guests.

But the Banyan Pavilion is more than enough if we want to have a dance floor, a band and a stage. Enough room and space for my knees to wobble and give way in the event that I will dance the rhumba or salsa with OTN who is a natural dancer. If only I was born one, I would give all flesh and bones to be thrown in mid-air just to entertain our guests. (Puwede din akong kumain ng buhay na manok at tumulay sa alambre hawak ang isang payong kung kinakailangan. Umuwi lang na masaya ang mga bisita bukod sa bundat at dumidighay pa.)  

As for the exteriors, it will look fantastic with all the lights turned on at night and the ceiling beautifully covered with carousel type of drapes and other bits and pieces you see in elegant weddings.

Everything was going on as planned.

Until we decided to drop by Le Pavilion in Roxas Boulevard. OTN was aghast that an event was being prepared that day and two girls from the events coordinating team did not allow us to enter the premises even if I have placed an overseas call to a staff in Le Pavilion a week earlier who said it is alright if we do an ocular visit of the place. I am absolutely concerned that I was not able to get the name of that certain team who was organizing an event on the 19^th of December because I felt it will be unfair to them as I write---but I will try to be extra nice. Because that’s what you do to 20 year old something girls who pose as professional wannabes in events coordination and try to speak in the English language as if they are sizing you up at first sight and what you are capable in doing. But then they back away when you fire them in a more coherent and understandable English language. And they realize that we are just a couple who just want to check a possible venue and measure the vastness of the space just in case we decide this is the place for us. However, no amount of pleading can make them give way to our request. It is not good to search their names anymore because firstly, they are not in the wedding business. Secondly, we are already decided in Blue Leaf because if we choose Le Pavilion, there will be higher chances of traffic jam and our guests getting lost or frustrated in Baclaran.

Everything was going on as planned. Until pedestrians started crossing and popping out from nowhere while you are in the middle of driving in the C5 highway. Until a crazy driver went pass our vehicle and splattered flood water right smack on our windshield with its screeching tires. Enough water to obscure the front lane and cause our lives. Ang damuhong drayber ay nagdahilan pa na kaya nga daw may wiper ay para punasan ang windshield kung sakaling matubigan. Hindi niya yata alam na hindi lang tubig baha ang tumama sa aming parabrisas---kungdi ang pinagsamang Hurricane Katrina at si Bagyong Ondoy. Mga sampung segundo ding nagtagal na parang nasa set kami ng Waterworld ni Bruce Willis.  Halatang natakot naman siya at nanginig hanggang buto noong bumaba ako sa sasakyan at pinagduduro siya. Pasensiya na lord, hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. Nakalimutan ko na legal ang baril sa Pilipinas noong nagpilosopo na siya sa kapatid kong babae.

Everything was going on as planned. Until my nephew, who is the son of my youngest sister was still confined in Asian hospital and not recovering as expected. Until I found myself petrified by the littlest thing like the nonsensical and hallucinatory queue in Conti’s Alabang when taking orders (good thing the mango bravo and chocolate overload cakes are to die for).

OTN thought we were on a rough start in the first leg of our wedding preparations. These are not usual things you see when you have lived in a more organized world overseas. What has happened to the Philippines? Has it really deteriorated in terms of discipline and fortitude? Have we really been eaten by poverty, thinking we can get by with just humour and resilience?

And then we met Tito Boy of Sheaths Couture, Me Ann of CBC events and Maja of Passion cooks. OTN was impressed with my choices. And I was a happy girl once more. My faith in the Filipino people and what they are capable of doing went coming back to me in full circle. Thank you Lord for people who are passionate. For people who love their work, their clients, their business and who love to laugh and pray. Who have personalities like OTN and myself. Down to earth, humorous on a very good day and who give more than expected at first meeting. More engaging stories about these remarkable people on the next blog.