'Carballo - de Castro Nuptials!'

Eduardo Javier del Prado Carballo and Maria Cristina de Castro were united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony at a nuptial mass that was one of the most anticipated events of recent days, and one of the most beautiful ceremonies witnessed in a long, long time. Javi is the son of very popular true blue-blooded Negrense, Baisana to be exact, Maria Victoria "Entang" Ledesma Del Prado and the late Negros Navigation executive Conrado Carballo. Christine is the daughter of New York residents Renato and Iluminada de Castro. The Santuario de San Antonio Church, a landmark in Forbes Park, Makati City was decorated "to the nines" with thousands of calla lillies and baby's-breath blooms ingeniously arranged in earthen vases, atop hand carved pedestals, all from the creative mind of florist Tony Rodriguez, lining the red carpeted center aisle and the altar.

The bridal entourage was composed of strictly VIPs and good friends of the newlyweds, some who flew in from the "Big Apple", just to be part of this auspicious day. Principal sponsors (ladies in elegant beige gowns and gents in piña barongs) were Dolores Galang, Sonya Garcia, Sylvia Ibazeta, Pacita "Baby" Cruz, Edna Lhuillier, Rebecca Juico, Estrellita Yulo, Jose Periquet, Jr., Rafael Gallaga, Frederico Galang, Julio del Prado, Jaime Gonzalez, Jose Maria Lopez and Ernesto Chan: Adam Koontz stood as best man and Carlos Miguel Carballo, Jose Luis Villanueva, Eduardo Pieta and Juan Carlos Cuna were the groomsmen. Gowned in chic Rajo Laurel shades of blue originals, bridal sisters Karen and Katherine were the maid and matron of honor and Maria Carla Cabalfin, Bernice Palanca-Go, Joanna Pinky Webb and Leah Caringal were the bridesmaids. Also in Rajo Laurel creations and piña-silk barongs were candle sponsors Alfredo Jose Cruz and Maria Cristina Bautista, veil sponsors Gil Coscolluela and Maria Angeles Dominguez, and cord sponsors Roberto Soares and Teresa Elena Santos. Ring and coin bearers were little Diego Bautista and Javier Emmanuel Munoz-Santos, while pretty as pictures Claudine de Castro, Grace Crew and Bianca Elena Pour-Dominguez were flower girls. Absolutely stunning in a figure hugging New York designer Reem Acra original, Christine was escorted by her parents.

A vision of eternal youth in Vera Wang pewter ball gown, Entang del Prado Carballo entertained hundreds of socialites and business associates in a reception that followed at the Le Soufflé at the Fort. Sipping fine Australian "Gossips" red and white wine and "Brut Elysee Vin Mousseux" champagne were the Del Prado siblings and offsprings who flew in from different parts of the globe, in full force. Dinner was a calorific and gastronomical wonderment and the "Queen Elizabeth" wedding cake baked by Entang "to die for!" Partying in the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" mode cupped the night.

My heartfelt best wishes goes to Javi and Christine for a long life filled with wedded bliss.*