A Memorable Cocolate Hills Wedding Prenuptial Photo & Video Shoot

Welcome to Carmen, Bohol, home of the world-famous Chocolate Hills! 

With more than a thousand hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers, these hills that resemble chocolates especially during summer when the green grass turns brown make for one breathtaking and awe-inspiring appreciation of God's truly amazing wonders. 

Pia Wurtzbach 

Surprisingly, despite its beauty, potential and fame, the Chocolate Hills haven't been on top of the mind when it comes to choice of locations for destination weddings' prenup photo & video sessions. 

Your Blogger with Ara Arida

Just imagine capturing the engaged couple's most romantic moments with the Chocolate Hills as the perfect backdrop, the blue azure skies as the canopy & the gentle breeze providing the petfect rustic ambience! 

So what would convince potential clients, tour operators & wedding planners to make a go for the Chocolate Hills as one of the best choices for prenup sessions? 

THE CHALLENGE The BES. Ph team assigned with the Chocolate Hills challenge faced the daunting task of organizing an outdoors- themed prenup photo & video session that would have the Legend of the Chocolate Hills as inspiration for the prenup mood board. 

BES.Ph members brainstorm 

CREATIVE COLLABORATION A lot of research went to the design of the wardrobe and the use of accessories. With the local Bohol folklore as focal point for the story board will give it a unique romantic flair that is distinctly Boholano. In addition, the team sourced out materials and aesthetics that are reflective and identified with the colors, sounds, flavors, textures & artistic flair uniquely Boholano.

Photo by Lito Sy

PRENUP STORY BOARD The proposed mood board for the prenup session was based on the legend and presented in five sequences.

Just like the other famous ill-fated lovers in history such as Romeo & Juliet, Jack & Rose of Titanic and Samson & Delilah, Arugo and Aluya didn't end up in each other's arms thus a twist has been added to the ending. 

THE TWIST 

Because love transcends time & place, the creative team gave Arugo and Aluya the elusive happy ending to their tragic love story thus a prenup session that is romantic and inspiring for all engaged couples.

The Carmen photo & video shoot was one of four Bohol locations that were included in a Department of Tourism campaign that would help promote the beautiful island paradise as a destination wedding location.

A core team of the country's leading wedding & event planners led by Themes & Motifs, the Philippines' most trusted event professionals were on hand to provide feedback and conducted a capacity- building workshop for BES.Ph, Bohol's biggest aggrupation of event planners & suppliers.

Special thanks to the Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators (BOFETTO) for lending their expertise and for facilitating the visit of the group.

ACCREDITED BES.PH SUPPLIERS 

Photo & Video: 

ERIC CELLAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Direction & Narration: 

DEO GUDEN of 

Dr. Events & Crown Jewel

Script & Host/Narrator: 

RAUL GATAL

Costume Design & Wardrobe:

KIM VILLAMOR

RYAN SADUDAQUIL

Coordination: 

RANY JUN "MAMITA"

YOLA BON FUENTES

DONA BUSLON

Dona Buslon Production

Dona Buslon Production, Weddings & Events Coordination Team

Set Designer/ Florist:

Jrex Styling by DR. EVENTS of

DEO GUDEN & JOHNREX POJAS

Airbrush Make Up:

YAN TIEMPO

Hairstylist:

JAMIE AUGUIS BEAUTIFYING INDUSTRY 

Prenup Stylist:

CONCEPT & STYLE BY ROM'S NET | ROMUEL POCOT 

Model & Talent Agency: 

RMAB of Reygel Balboa Dulfo & Gerry Lugod

KRYSTL BALL  as "ALUYA"

CARL DAVE Sumampong as "ARUGU"

Set Musical Performer:

JAM 403

Location:

ACASIA  GLAMPING, Carmen, Bohol

Rediscovering Bohol

I just rediscovered my home province Bohol through the eyes of two first- time visitors from the United States. Indeed, we are so blessed with our beautiful island paradise that has so much to offer.

Thanks Maria Esmee and her American husband Danny for pointing them out for me.

Playing tour guide, photographer, driver and interpreter all rolled into one was a role that I played to the hilt for you see, Esmee was no ordinary guest. She was a good friend from way way back when we were medical representatives based in Dumaguete City.

Imagine that the last time we saw each other was back in 1996 or a good 20 years!

Here are some of the highlights of our one- day tour in Bohol.

Our first stop was at the old Baclayon Church in Baclayon some nine kilometers from Tagbilaran City

Next stop was at the enchanting Bilar Man-Made Forest in Bilar

 Bilar Man- Made Forest in central Bohol

From Bilar, we were off to see the iconic Chocolate Hills in Carmen. 

Then a pit stop at the Tarsier Sanctuary right inside Bilar man- Made Forest

Then a blast from the past as we stepped inside the ancestral house of a famous and prominent Boholano clan

Then a must- have photo at the Bool Blood Compact Site

Finally, lunch at Amorita Resort overlooking the spectacular Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol.

I must confess that I got a little melancholic as bid adieu to my friends Esmee and Danny but I take comfort in the realization that hey after 20 long years, the friendship is still there!

And by the way, if you want to tour Bohol at your own pace and in the most comfortable and most affordable self- drive vehicles, then choose Bohol FBC Car Rental

When the Boholano Blogger Finally Met the 2013 Miss Universe 3rd Runner Up!

When Your Blogger first caught sight of Ariella Ara Arida during the early days leading to the 2013 Bb Pilipinas Gold Edition, it was a journey like no other. While other pageant websites, experts, fans and bloggers rarely had her as a favorite or a frontrunner, Your Blogger thought otherwise.

 2015 Miss Panglao Pageant Chairman of the Board of Judges

There was that something about Ara that I knew would get her the nod of the esteemed panel of judges and get into the good graces of Madame SMA or Stella Marquez Araneta, founder of the country’s longest- running and most prestigious beauty competition

 

 Encounter of a Lifetime, August 24, 2015, Alona Beach

Was it Ara’s smoky eyes and piercing stare? Or was it perhaps the bewitching and beguiling charm of the Laguna lass that made the difference?

A day or so before the Gold Edition winners were to be crowned, Your Blogger came up with his list of probable winners and had Ara rounding out his choices as His Sentimental Favorite.

The rest is history as they say and Ara went on to represent the Philippines in the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow, Russia where she became the first & only Filipina to have topped both the swimsuit competition & the worldwide online fan voting.

 Ara Arida is 2013 Miss Universe 3rd Runner Up

Anyway, who would have known that Your Blogger would finally get the chance to meet her up close and personal? The 2015 Miss Panglao Pageant made it all happen. Not for a few minutes nor for an hour but for three unforgettable days in Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol. 

Let the photos speak for the surreal experience

 with Ara Arida during Chocolate Hills Tour 

goofing with Bessie Besana, Atty Dannt Gapasin Jr & Ara
Bilar Man- Made Forest, Bilar, Bohol  

 enjoying the Loboc River Cruise 

 before boarding time 

  before the Judges' Briefing
Baybayon Restaurant, Alona Tropical Beach Resort
Photo Credits: DJ Arro