Jen and Joebert’s wedding

Bulak Dacles and I arrived at the Barangay Sang Birhen Chapel at the Sta. Clara Subdivision too early, thinking that the wedding ceremony will start at 2 p.m. To our consolation, we had a good time checking out and greeting the wedding participants and sponsors.

At exactly 3 p.m., Joebert, youngest son of Adolfo “Nene” and Mellie Leonardia, and Jen Concepcion, daughter of the late Albert and Ma. Lourdes Concepcion, exchanged I Dos before their officiating priest, Fr. Ruel Jundos, who delivered a meaningful homily to the newlyweds.

Almost 300 visitors and relatives of the couple witnessed the ceremony. Family members of both bride and groom from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and the US arrived for the wedding that had the ladies in formal attire and the gentlemen in coat and tie, or barong.

Also members of the wedding ensemble were Cherrie Lyn Concepcion and Cristina Ruth Ham as maids of honor, with Ryan Stephen Hojilla as best man, Claire Marie Uy, Genevieve Chang and Florence May Chiu as bridesmaids; Elbert George Yulo, Marc Anthony Tronco and Jigger Locsin as groomsmen;

Samanthat Nicole and Ayanna Sophia Leonardia as Junior bridesmaids with David Anthony and Daniel Albert Sanchez as junior groomsmen; with secondary sponsors Renan and Lisa Joy Sanchez for candle; Philip and Irene Abong for veil, and Glenn Vincent and Rizza Leonardia for cord.

Ring bearer was Nicolas Benedict Abong, coin bearer was Johann Adrian Jalandoni; flower girls were Dana Alissa Sanchez and Shannika Anne Leonardia, while Bible bearer was Nikolai de Asis.

Reception was at L’Fisher Hotel, where cocktails were served before dinner at the La Proa grand ballroom. We had to stop ourselves from eating all of the delicious fingerfood served so that we could leave room for the sumptuous multi-coursed dinner.

At 5:30 p.m., everybody stood up and cheered to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Joebert Leonardia, who graciously greeted friends, loved ones and well-wishers while the Soul and Rhythm Band played their favorite songs.

Everybody had a wonderful time, especially the friends of the newlyweds who danced and took over the stage to extend the celebration.

To the newly-weds, God bless your union, and may you enjoy life with one another!

Remember: The best way to escape temptation is to run to God. God’s timing is perfect – every time!*

Mayor invites
public to MassKara

Bacolod Mayor Monico  Puentevella invited to the MassKara Festival the viewing public of ABS-CBN News Channel Dateline News program in Bacolod City with the theme "One City. One Rhythm. A Million Smiles,” a press release from City Hall said.

Puentevella said he expects more tourists to come and even foreign dance groups to join in this year dance contest and parades. South Korea joins the Masskara Festival for the first time, the press release said.

He said that at the concluding week of the festival there will be a simultaneous groundbreaking for new projects in Bacolod. The SMX Convention Center, considered as the biggest convention center outside Metro Manila will officially open on the 16th of October and the groundbreaking of the Ayala Hotel and Mall will also happen in the same week. Megaworld Corp. will also put up a real estate project in Bacolod City, the press release said.

At the end of the show Puentevella invited everyone to come and visit Bacolod City to enjoy the Masskara Festival so that they can experience the celebration and enjoy the food of Bacolod City, it said.

Bacolod City is considered to be a foodie haven to many food experts because of its famous Chicken Inasal, local restaurants, pastries and desserts, the press release said.