Paolo Trillo-Rissa Mananquil: Sports, fashion and drama

MANILA, Philippines - THE BRIDE: Fashion model, former president of the PMAP (Professional Models Association of the Philippines), Philippine STAR lifestyle columnist and Pond's brand ambassador Rissa Mananquil

THE GROOM: Ateneo Basketball Team manager, Fiamma resto-bar managing partner and PBA sportscaster Paolo Trillo

HOW THEY MET: Six years ago, designer Randy Ortiz played Cupid during a PMAP fashion event at the Fiamma."I remember thinking Rissa would be the one when I saw her,” says Paolo.

THE PROPOSAL: During a family trip to Osaka, Japan in December 2010,Paolo invited Rissa for a stroll at the serenely beautiful Nakanoshima Park. Amid the winter chill, while walking hand in hand, Paolo suddenly paused, got down on one knee at the steps beside the river , holding the engagement ring, and said “I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life , so I’m going to take my time doing this. Will you marry me?” Rissa said yes, of course. Both teary-eyed, they hugged each other, crazily shouting to the world from an empty park: “We're engaged!”

THE WEDDING: Oct. 15, 2011,The Peninsula Manila. Wedding rites by Fr. Tito Caluag at The Conservatory. Cocktails at the Upper Lobby. Dinner reception at The Rigodon Ballroom.

THE DIRECTOR: Fashion industry stalwart and mentor Jackie Aquino. Yes, the wedding went smoothly, like the fashion shows he directs.

THE DESIGNERS: Randy Ortiz made a slim-fit black modern tuxedo for Paolo. For Rissa, a multi-layered princess-cut bouffant tulle gown with Chantilly lace overlay with floral appliques and cutworks cascading down the hem. Randy also made the bridal entourage’s gowns. For the reception, Rhett Eala designed the mermaid silhouette in Mikado silk with tulle overlay featuring bugle bead tassels and a sequined body.

 THE DRAMA: During the wedding ceremony, many a guest became teary-eyed. Caught wiping a tear (on the video film later shown at the ballroom) was ninong Lance Gokongwei.The dam broke when Rissa told Paolo: “To the man who makes me feel like everyday is the first day of our relationship... I will love and cherish you not just as my husband, but also the father of my son Enzo and our future children. Long before this, you already showed us what family means... now that Enzo and I have you, our family is complete.”..to which Paolo said: “You are my best friend, my favorite companion, my life long partner. I promise to be here for you, to take care of you and Enzo. I love you, Rissa, you are everything to me, you are the love of my life.”

THE CAKE: The country's top cake artist Heny Sison made a four-tier fondant cake in a white geometric design — simple and fresh and modern, just like the couple wanted it to be.

THE HOSTS: Tim Yap, who went to New York with Rissa in 2001 for a pictorial, both as Benetton models representing the Philippines. Co-host was Patricia Bermudez-

Hizon , Paolo’s sportscasting colleague.

THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED GUESTS: Guests went for photo-ops with Manny Pangilinan, Ben Chan, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senators Manny Villar and Francis Pangilinan, Coach Norman Black, basketball players Chris Tiu, JC Intal and Doug Kramer, Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, Vicki Belo, models Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Phoemela Baranda, Tessa Prieto Valdes, Inno Sotto.

THE WEDDING CRASHER: DJ Tony Toni of Magic 89.9’s Boys’ Night Out was hosting a debut at the adjacent function room where he felt out of place with all the young

girls, and took a peek at the wedding. The newlyweds happily invited him to join the party and drink up. Days later, he talked about the wedding on their radio show as “the kind of wedding you'd want to be invited to.”

THE WEDDING SOUVENIRS: The most delicious chocolate praline balls with assorted fillings by Villa del Conte of Italy, wrapped in boxes custom-made by Vince Aldanese to match the wedding color theme of pewtergrey.

THE EYE CANDY: At the ceremony, crystal chairs from Banquet Ensemble. Modern table centerpieces in mirrored box vases of white lisianthus, green cabbage cacti, green berries and liliums by Zenas Pineda, The ring bearer’s pillow by Vatel Manila was made entirely of green button mums.

AND MORE: Videographer was Bob Nicolas. Lights a nd sounds by Forsc Ink, DJs were Jon Herrera and Euric Lumanog.

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To view Paolo and Rissa’s Same Day Edit Wedding Video by Bob Nicolas, go to www.bobnicolas.com and http://vimeo. com/31187260. For more details on the wedding, visit www. bridalbook.ph