‘Wild,’ wonderful wedding

Twenty-five years or a quarter of a century, that’s how long Dennis and Tessa Valdes have been married.

I still remember Dennis as my neighbor when I was a teenager, and the several trips Tessa and I would take abroad where I would end up carrying another suitcase she bought and she would borrow my unused airline weight for the things she’d shop for.

Tessa and Dennis Valdes at Santuario de San Antonio. Photo courtesy of TESSA PRIETO-VALDES

Through the years, Dennis and Tessa, the couple that everyone adores, have become good friends to almost everyone they meet. They both enjoy life and give back so much to the community through their charitable work. They celebrated their silver wedding anniversary recently in a wonderful African-themed party and still had charity in their minds.

The couple, both wearing Rajo Laurel, renewed their vows at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City in the presence of friends and family. They walked down the beautifully decorated aisle filled with flowers by Robert Blancaflor with amazing music from Vocalismo Chorale Group.

A life-sized baby giraffe display.

There were 25 sponsors, one for each year of Dennis and Tessa’s marriage. They were Rajo Laurel, Robbie Delgado, Maribel Ongpin, Mila and Ed Lacson, Freddie and Kaye Tinga, Donnie and Crickette Tantoco, Cris Albert, Anton San Diego, Dr. Vicki Belo, Hayden Kho, Paolo and Ria Prieto, Andrew and Myda Prieto, Zaldy and Nova Veluz, Malu Gamboa, Tim Yap, Felix and Grace Ang, and Joel and Cristy Torre.

Guests then proceeded to the Manila Polo Club for the reception. The cocktail area, situated at the Polo field, was decorated by Moss Manila. Amid life-sized animal decorations, singers and dancers dressed as African tribes greeted guests, who enjoyed The Botanist Gin served with Fever Tree Tonic, White Walker by Johnnie Walker, Remy Martin and Casa Noble.

Dawn Lagdameo, Michelle Tiangco and Ana de Ocampo.

Tessa told me as we enjoyed our afternoon cocktails that she was very thankful for the lechon sent by Lydia’s Lechon and two roast calves sent by Ruthie Vera.

The couple arrived in style at the cocktail reception — Tessa, being carried by “tribesmen,” and Dennis, walking in front of Tessa, accompanied by a man carrying an albino python.

From Left: Cristalle Pitt and son Hunter with Xavier Btesh, Doctors Hayden Kho and Vicki Belo.

A dance number by the Sisters of Mary Girls Town and Boys Town signaled the end of the cocktail party. With this, guests proceeded to the elegantly decorated dining area, which was decorated by Gideon Hermosa, again using some of those life-sized golden animals! I asked Tessa if she had those life-sized  animals made, she said, “I’d really like to thank Steven Tan of SM because one Christmas, they used those in the mall and I told him that I’d borrow them for my 25th anniversary.  He actually kept them and lent them to me for this special occasion!” The event production was by Javi Martinez and Yaparrazi Productions.

Tessa changed into a gown by Cherry Veric and Dennis wore a suit by Boy Kastner. There were three cakes in this grand party made by Penk Ching, Hearts n Bells and Chef Castillo. The after-dinner party saw performances by Radha, Danspace Dance School, Ellipsis Dance and Tessa Tordesillas, who is, according to Tessa, “the daughter of ballerina Maritoni Rufino Tordesillas and she was actually named after me!”

Handpainted ostrich eggs.

The couple love the sea so much they are known on Instagram as @seaprincess and @hkpirate. They wished to raise awareness on marine conservation and support their project named “Save the Philippine Seas.” Outside the reception area, there was a booth that displayed and sold ostrich eggs handpainted by the Sisters of Mary Boys Town. The proceeds went to Save the Philippine Seas organization. The donation for the painted eggs also came with bags from Belo, Bench, Watsons, ZenZest, Buddy’s, The French Baker, Gardenia and Made in Candy.  

Cynthia Valdes, Maribel Ongpin and Kitty Jacinto.

Just like their medieval-themed wedding 25 years ago, this celebration was, again, one for the books! Truly one of the most fun and most memorable parties I have been to.

Happy anniversary to my dear friends, wonder couple, Dennis and Tessa!  We can’t wait to see what’s in store for your 50th anniversary!

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(Follow me on Instagram@pepperteehankee.)

One of the three cakes at the reception.