I rarely get commissioned to shoot a Tinghun or a Chinese Engagement, thus when I do, I know that it would be something quite special. What I didn’t expect was how ‘special’ today’s feature was going to be like. I have seen my share of Tinghuns but there is no comparison to this one of Shirley and Kevin’s. I may have been surprised, but thinking about how Shirley and Kevin are I came to understand that I should not have expected anything less. Their taste and attention to detail are sublime and of no compromise. Shirley knows what she wants and how she wants it and all of these were manifested throughout the event. From a custom-made ancient Chinese door, to lamps and chandeliers you only see in movies, and to how each person wore a unique cheongsam and yet all go together, there wasn’t a place or a piece not worth noting much less photographing. It was a sight like no other. Please, enjoy. Suppliers: Make-up: Albert Kurniawan Video: Jason Magbanua Gown: Patty Ang Styling: Gideon Hermosa Emcee and Planning: Jerome Go Giveaways: Tris

I remember how packed my January was. For more than three weeks, I was either shooting, taking a flight, or doing both. It was daunting as it was exhilarating. That month took me to Siargao, Cebu, Dipolog, and Iceland. The world was clicking, and I didn’t encounter any massive delays that could have ruined my schedule. Furthermore, a lot of options were available that allowed me to squeeze in so many places in such little time. I remember flying from Manila to Doha to Barcelona to Warsaw to get to Reykjavik in time for my shoot – it sounds exhausting, but it was fun. Today’s feature is the tail-end of that grueling stretch. After arriving from Reykjavik, it was an early call time for the Tinghun celebration of Felise and Wilson. I was happy to be back and was looking forward to recharging for a few days before another cycle began, but not before making sure we document this beautiful tradition the best way possible. Just several weeks back, these photos were just a reminder of how delighted I was to be able to finish that impossible stretch successfully. Now that world has dramatically restricted travel, they have also become a reminder of how much I miss being in such a crazy rush. Enjoy the photos. ___________ Suppliers: Photo: Oly Ruiz Make-up: Cherry Pacheco Planning: Tinghun.Tris Gown: Jo Rubio Set-up: Teddy Manuel Emcee: TrinaHoldsTheMic Grooming: The Spoiled Groom

There was a time when Chinese engagements were not given as much focus or glamour as they do now. As a result, we’ve been able to cover more and more of them. The intimacy and intricacy of the ceremony are very fascinating and we’ve been loving being present in Tinghun Ceremonies. Today, we like to share one of our recent favorites. Ann and Jeremy got officially engaged in a beautiful Chinese tradition inside the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-la at the Fort. The vividness of the hues and the textures truly jumps out beautifully, a stark contrast to the elegance seen in weddings. This allows couples to experience something different but still very much tasteful and beautiful. Thank you to Ann and Jeremy for putting emphasis and an often-compromised tradition and for having us be a part of it. Enjoy the photos. ________________________ Suppliers: Photo: Oly Ruiz Make-up: Gery Penaso Coordination: Tinghun Tris Styling: Teddy Manuel Gown: Val Tugaba Emcee: Max Tiu Venue: Shangri-la Fort

I remember that in my first 10 years of doing wedding photography, I may have covered, at most, eight Chinese Engagements or Tinghun. But this year plus next, I’m set to shoot seven already. This may mean a lot of things, but it says that gone are the days when these celebrations are given much less attention and significance. Tinghun ceremonies are getting more and more exciting, and today’s feature of Dianne and Elvin’s engagement session is yet another testament to that. Chinese engagements ceremonies maybe not as big or takes as long as the wedding itself, but what it lacks in these aspects, it makes up with its ability to be played with colors, be played with style and most significantly be played with creativity with the amount of ‘free time’ we photographers have during the day to shoot what we want.  Of course, shooting ‘what we want’ is never a given, we always need a willing subject to execute them and Dianne and Elvin are just that.  Aside from having such a beautiful and well-thought-of event (you can see all these from the many details below), these two are extremely fun to work with. Elvin is good-looking and nice – nothing else you can ask for really, and Dianne, well, Dianne is beautiful, very nice as well, but I will never forget that she tricked me into thinking that she is the type of bride who is not open to doing my signature shots. All morning all she […]