The Artist Behind the Dress

I recently went to a wedding where two of our good friends got married. I was beaming with happiness that day not only because I felt God's overwhelming presence that day but also because I was wearing a dress that I absolutely felt beautiful in.

If you don't know me by now, I am these two things.

1) I love dressing up. When I unsure of a dress code, I prefer to be overdressed than look sloppy.
2) I will look for any excuse to wear a dress over a pair of jeans or shorts.

I think that is why Jo Rubio has become instant friends when we were classmates in high school. I didn't like Math very much, which allowed us to secretly "escape" during those boring trigonometry lessons by having him sketch fantasy dresses and I would dream of wearing them.



15 years later, he turned out doing what he has always been good at: designing and making beautiful dresses! He made a stunning creation on the most important day of my life: my wedding.







It is still my most favorite dress to this day!



He also created the wedding dresses of my girlfriends in high school. Here are a couple of them.

Irma.



Tammy.



Now back to the wedding I said I went to. I was part of the bridal party and naturally, I asked Jo to create my dress for that day. I am sharing this with you today because I was so proud of his work and I felt it every time someone asked who made it. It's about time you all knew the talented person behind it!










If you are based in Metro Manila and looking for someone really talented to make your dress, Jo is wonderful to work with! Not only is he talented, he is the most down-to-earth person you will ever meet. He knows how to listen and his goal is to make you feel like a million bucks.



Interested in connecting with him? Please leave a message in the Comments Section and I will make the personal introduction!

America Ferrera at the SAG Awards

This post is for Jo. Did you see America Ferrera's Monique Lhuillier gown at the Screen Actors Guild Awards? Sweet.

My Highlights of 2007 (First of Two Parts)

In the year 2007, so many good things have crossed my life because of the wonderful, generous God that we all have! Here is a two-part recap of my personal highlights in 2007. In random order. I have a little warning for you though. Several of them will be wedding-related because in February 2007, I married the man of my dreams. So bear with me :)

1) The one when I walked down the aisle. I vowed to look straight into my groom's eyes and only his, never take them off him until I my parents officially give me away.

2) The one when the minister says "You may now kiss the bride!" Robert and I had a "no kissing" covenant with our Father when we got engaged. It was not the easiest thing to do but I am glad we waited. And yes, it was so worth it!

3) The one when one of my best friends made my wedding dress. Jo used to doodle dress designs in my notebook back in high school. The designs get more creative during math class when we couldn't be bothered by x and y integers. It is so crazy to think that 15 years later, he made a dress so beautiful beyond my imagination. More on this story in a future blog.

4) The one where we exchanged vows. We both wrote our vows the morning of our wedding day. We have these words framed in our home to remind us of our promises to each other.

5) The one where our good friends got married. Mike and Kay. Mon and Manina. Jonas and Avie. Kris and Malou. Joel and Maureen. Jed and Irma. Beautiful weddings. Beautiful couples.

6) The one with all the bridal showers. I am so blessed to have been thrown all these lovely, fun bridal showers. My friends and family are such wonderful people!

7) The one where our parents hang out. We spent one afternoon talking, eating, and laughing. Wish we can do this a lot more :(

8) The one with our honeymoon. It was ten months late but it was wonderful, happy and refreshing! We can never get enough of Boracay.

9) The one where we went to Hong Kong. Robert's first. Did the whole tour thing and the shopping thing and loved every minute of it!

Second part coming up soon! :) Happy new year!