A coffee date leads to an altar date
It started several years ago in the company of mutual friends. After a casual meeting, Ranny Misa, then a recent graduate from a New York University, invited Nina Kokseng for coffee, then lunch, and soon after it was courtship every day. They managed to sustain their relationship for eight years.
A trip to the paradise island of Boracay set the perfect stage for Ranny’s marriage proposal and soon after wedding plans began.
Recently Ranny only son of Ed Misa and Helen Franco Misa and Nina, lovely daughter of Earl Kokseng and Jojo Quintos-Kokseng made their dreams come true when they exchanged “I do’s and “till death do us part” solemn vows in front of Father Allen O’Brien.
The imposing Sacred Heart Parish, a favorite venue for weddings was beautifully adorned with white anthuriums, Malaysian, mums, calla lilies and a profusion of lush green ferns.
Nina looked radiant in her layers upon layers ivory, chiffon gown with matching mini bolero by talented Cebuana designer Kate Torralba. The groom was equally debonair in a perfectly tailored dark Bergamo suit.
Principal sponsors who stood as witnesses were Ranny’s relatives Antonio and Lucy Garcia, Jean Teves, Julio Misa, Diana Ledesma and Nina’s relatives Vincent Kokseng Jr., Robert Quintos and Maribel Kratz. Completing the list were mutual family friends Rosie Huang, Julius Neri, Irma Atillo, Ann and Ramon Paulin, and Natividad Salcedo.
Childhood buddy John Paul Chiongbian was best man while Kathleen Kay Kokseng, sister of the bride was maid of honor.
Beautiful bridesmaids in deep burgundy gowns were the grooms only sister Christine Misa and close friends Cheryl Carcel, Lallie Garcia, Kimberly Kokseng, and Francesca Martinez. They were escorted by groomsmen led by the bride’s brother Kevin Kokseng together with Carlo Camaya, Stanley Yap, Herman Bascon, Glenn Soco, and David Agustines. Secondary sponsors were Kenneth Kokseng and Trina Molina for the candle, Christopher Vincent Kokseng and Leanne Partridge for the cord and Frederick Ledesma and Sari Jean Garcia Malixi for the veil.
After the religious ceremony, guests proceeded to the Grand Convention Center , considered by many to be one of the city’s best Chinese restaurant and proudly owned by the bride’s family.
Just as Nina had wished, the reception area had a romantic atmosphere with vineyards and flower arrangements cleverly created by Cebu’s foremost florist Pinky Chang of Pink Flora and wedding specialist Teresin Mendezona.
The theme was also evident on the tabletops which were decorated with plush red floral clusters, tea lights and sweet seedless grapes.
As expected the various food stations served only the best of Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine such as Peking duck, roasted lamb, prawns and lobsters, noodles and Master baker Marissa Unchuan outdid herself with the beautiful five-tiered chocolate fondant cake.
After the celebration which lasted till the wee hours, the newlyweds left and prepared for their extensive honeymoon in Europe that included stays in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Athens and to enchanting Santorini, in the cyclode group of the Greek islands.
