… as if nobody is watching, like no one is around.

… Like No One Is Around is a post from: Markku & Hana

I wonder how it feels to have yourself buttoned or zipped up in your wedding dress, or to smile under the bridal veil.

Seems like pure bliss.

Under the Veil is a post from: Markku & Hana

It was raining so hard last night during the Azkals–Kuwait match, yet I know it was just freakin’ hot when the team made their way around the oval despite the 2–1 setback. Wouldn’t you agree?

We lost alright, but they’ll never have a goalkeeper as awesome as this guy—Neil Etheridge. Awesome.

Also check out highlights of the first and second half of the Azkals vs. Kuwait game last Thursday at InterAKTV.

Hot! is a post from: Markku & Hana

We shot John & Kristine’s wedding more than a year ago, and it was the first we covered as M+K associate photographers. Though we’ve shot a handful of weddings on our own before this, it was an overwhelming challenge to live up to the high standards that comes with the brand. But who wouldn’t take on such a challenge?

Isn’t it amusing that grooms smile and laugh a lot during their preparations…

… yet you can always catch them drift into brief moments of reflection?

And though brides often appear more concerned with how they look and other little details…

… they are at their truest, tensest spirit just before they walk the aisle and embrace eternal oneness.

We were fortunate that John & Kristine were such a relaxed couple that we hardly felt the hours go by.

Here’s something almost every wedding photographer knows: the smile of relief that comes after the ceremony is always more natural than the smile of anticipation that precedes it all.

To John & Kristine: keep on smiling, keep on loving!

John & Kristine (Santuario De San Jose, Pan Pacific Hotel Manila) is a post from: Markku & Hana

It took me quite a while to finally blog about this wedding. With Joey being one of my closest friends, it just seemed like I couldn’t find the right words. It was simply too hard.

So I’ll just quote his wonderful words and let them speak for their blessed union.

Our love will be the love story that everyone will celebrate.

It will be the good news that everyone shares.

It will be the legend that writers immortalize, …

… the ideology that philosophers build on, …

… the standard that everyone follows.

It will transcend space, time, dimensions and realities.

It will be a reminder that love, and everything that comes with it, exists and that it is the one thing that makes this life worth living.

Being witness to Joey’s life stories and lessons, I’ve seen the concept of love in all its gloom and beauty. Yet now, seeing Joey & Mae bask in its glory, it is proclaimed—it is the one thing that makes life worth living.

Joey & Mae (Wiwaha Chapel, Bali, Indonesia) is a post from: Markku & Hana

A union as lasting as theirs perfectly fit the shoes Jeff picked for their special day—a pair of classic Chuck Taylor All–Stars.

I saw something like this only on the web before, but when I saw the groom’s boutonniere, I was amazed how stunning and unique they were. Vatel Manila surely did a great job on them.

Edz also crafted a set of of themed necklaces that complemented their wedding day’s rich details.

By the time the ceremony commenced, it wasn’t hard to see everyone smiling, perhaps infected by the couple’s radiant grins.

But some were crying tears of joy instead, like the Maid of Honor one of their closest friends.

Shooting weddings is always fun throughout the day, but the couple pictorials after the ceremony is definitely our favorite.

It’s a blast when you have to do almost nothing yet smiles and poses just present themselves naturally.

To complement their little well–wishers’ tree, Jeff & Edz shared their storied history using photos hanging from clothespins, like an outdoor darkroom.

To Jeff & Edz, here’s to more 12 years of togetherness, each one a million times as wonderful as the last!

This wedding was a M+K shoot, hence the M+K watermark . These are the associate photographers/second team photos. For Mimi & Karl’s takes, it’s on their blog.

Coordination: Jody Liwanag of Events Experts
Styling: Vatel Manila
Make-up: Madge of Makeup Studio
Video: Threelogy
Catering: K by Cunanan

Jeff & Edz (Mango Farm) is a post from: Markku & Hana

This wedding will always be special, it being Hana’s very first onsite slideshow. Abe has been Hana’s classmate for a long time, all the way back to their grade school days. They’re perhaps as close as any two friends can get that when Abe revealed that their growing up AVP wouldn’t make it, Hana decided to do an onsite instead.

What makes it very memorable was that the conditions weren’t exactly favorable. First of all, Hana decided on doing an onsite the midnight before the wedding day. They had already booked a different team of photographers and videographers, which meant we had to shoot on the sides with limited time. And since the wedding will be at 7:30 in the evening, the reception immediately follows, leaving barely enough time to do the slideshow. And if you think all of that makes it hard enough, Hana was also one of *the* bridesmaids.

I could go on rambling about Hana’s knack for self–inflicted torment, but I’d rather not get in trouble.

And so it was 1.11.11, the eleventh of January 2011. Lucky numbers as you’d look at it, and everything turned out luckily well indeed. Everything that could’ve gone wrong, didn’t. Jeff & Abe had their first look in the afternoon, and thankfully there was still enough light to shoot that. Hana’s slideshow was done just before the program was concluded, and the rain started to trickle as if on cue just as the slideshow was playing. It was the lucky numbers, I think.

(I couldn’t end this post without mentioning Dulce Fortunado’s excellent hosting and handling of the program; she left enough room to squeeze in our slideshow at the end of it all. Lastly, Lemuel Castro’s (also a classmate of Hana and Abe) Cava catering was really good, I would’ve feasted more on the Chicken a la King if I could!)

Jeff & Abe (San Agustin Church, Baluarte San Diego) is a post from: Markku & Hana

We interrupt everyone’s busy holiday schedule (and this blog’s lack of activity) just to greet you all a very merry Christmas! May we all have a healthy 2011 ahead of us.

Merry Christmas! is a post from: Markku & Hana

Weddings are stories always remembered. You’ll never forget your own, or your best friend’s, or the wedding of someone else important to you. This one though, I’ll remember simply for how that day was—September 26, 2009.

The date holds different meanings for different people. Millions of Filipinos may remember it for the devastation it caused, but please excuse this narrative and may you find consolation in this story, a celebration of love.

I was awakened by the sound of unceasing rain. I thought I woke up too early—it was still quite dark. By the time I checked the clock, I had to start moving to avoid being late. I had a quick breakfast, after which I saw how floodwater was starting to rise in our garage. I was not alarmed though as it was not uncommon for it to go up to about five inches when it rains hard, only to completely disappear in minutes as soon as the rain would stop. I rushed my shower though as I didn’t want to worry about walking in the flood just to get to my car.

But it got worse. It looked like the rain wouldn’t stop. I packed an extra set of clothes in an extra backpack and carried that along with my camera bag. I grabbed the boots we kept ready for floods like this and walked to my car just outside the gate, just about 10 steps away. But just as I opened the gate, the current was rushing hard and the water level was almost up to my knees. My feet were already wet but I had no choice. I kept on walking. When I finally got in the car, my pants were completely wet along with my shirt.

My trusty Tamaraw FX’s engine still started, somewhat miraculously. I quickly drove up the road seeing that floodwater was rising fast in front of our house. When I was safely out of the flood, I removed my shirt and my pants and drove in my boxers. (Hana hates this part but it’s really part of the story.) The seat was very wet too because my pants were soaking. I couldn’t change into my extra set of clothes because they’d be wet too and I wouldn’t have anything to wear while shooting, if it was still pushing through. I grabbed a floormat/carpet from the second row to have something dry to sit on. And then I drove.

I was supposed to be headed for the groom’s house somewhere in Balara, with Mimi & Karl going to the bride’s place in Ortigas. Because of the gridlock produced by the floods, M+K (with Mimi eight months pregnant then!) were trapped in EDSA’s Southbound lane. Karl changed the plan: I was tasked to go to the bride with them heading directly for Makati Shangrila, where the reception would be. It wasn’t clear if the ceremony would be held there instead, or if they’re still doing it in Christ the King. It was all a hazy blur, and no one was even sure how the groom would make it to Makati or even just Ortigas.

Around two hours after I left our house, I was finally free of entangled Shaw Boulevard and was in EDSA towards Ortigas. I thought I was gonna be there in a few minutes.

Sadly, I was not. I was stuck in traffic for another two hours or so.

Around three in the afternoon, I was in the lane leading up to the Northbound flyover in Ortigas but it seemed to be hardly moving at all. When the bus drivers and conductors in front of my car decided to move the steel barriers so they could take the service lane leading to Robinson’s Galleria, I followed. I was worried the road below was flooded, but it was my only choice. I decided I’ll just park my car in Galleria and leave it there, and then walk to the bride’s place. So I walked.

I arrived to see the beautiful bride still sporting a smile despite the worrying day. I knew she wasn’t gonna let the worries take away the joy of her wedding day. A little dazed and confused, all I could say to Hayley was “at least you’ve got a wedding story not so similar as everybody’s!”

We got word that Konrad made it through QC’s floods and was on his way to Christ the King. I tried to take a few more portraits despite the conditions before we left for the church.

(There’s a side story to this that I couldn’t resist not telling. As we were leaving their house, I couldn’t find the umbrella that I’ve had for a long, long time. I didn’t think I could get any unluckier. I think it got mixed up with the coordinators rushing in and out trying to fix everything. Collateral damage, I guess. Now back to the real story.)

Barely a few guests were there, mostly just immediate family of the bride and the groom. Most of the other guests were stranded somewhere else or simply decided to go directly to the reception instead. But it was a relief to see them relishing their moment, their day that no one else could take away.

Their’s was the perfect example—weddings can be all big, bright, and beautiful, but at the end of the day, all you really need are the two of you and the love that you share, in the presence of God.

Last December, they decided to somehow relive the preparations of their special wedding day. This time around, team M+K and Jason’s crew were there to document it.

To Konrad & Hayley, best wishes! Here’s to your wedding story that will surely be unique forever!

(Here’s Karl’s version of our story of that fateful day, with even more photos.)

A Wedding in the Time of Ondoy is a post from: Markku & Hana

It would almost be a sin for any Filipino to not have heard of Rock Ed Philippines or the many advocacy ideas and movements it has been supporting. This is what Gang has been doing for the past few years, educating and empowering the Filipino beyond what our current public institutions can provide. When she mentioned at Sugarfree’s Dekada concert last year that she’s finally getting married and asked if I could shoot their wedding day, I excitedly said yes to what I knew would be a very special day.

I met Gang and Jay a few years ago when my Pisay batchmate Joey introduced me to Rock Ed. I’ve always seen Gang as the outspoken leader, with overflowing charisma that makes everyone listen, regardless of political inclinations. Jay, on the other hand, offers an interesting contrast, more often seen helping out behind the scenes. What is strikingly common to them is their dedication to Rock Ed’s causes.

I’ve always told Hana how Gang deserves this day of love for herself. After years of selflessly helping fellow Filipinos, it was the time for a day of selfish love, the kind that’s shared by two people. It was her time to simply be a bride with all the little idiosyncrasies that make brides special.

Knowing Gang, I’ve long felt she won’t be in a typical all–white gown. Instead, she had a black and white combo created by Rajo Laurel, and a pair of black Solea slip–on sandals that was custom-fitted for her.

Jay was rock–star dashing with his locks kept untied as Gang requested.

Gang was initially hesitant about having us take photos of her while being made up, but we somehow convinced her to let us sneak in a few.

It was almost impossible not to catch her smiling—either she doesn’t know there’s a fashion model gene in her somewhere, or she simply was overflowing with joy that day.

One eventful day some time ago, Jay was documenting a seminar where Gang was speaking in, and they met—at the Ramon Magsaysay Center. They picked it for their wedding venue as it held a special place in their heart. That night, it was the interesting backdrop to their story. As Gang smiled her way through the crowd as she marched with her father:

Jay eagerly waited for his bride.

Though maybe some expected tears and a few tight hugs, Jay & Gang went for a fist bump instead.

What would’ve been a brief civil ceremony transformed into a lively celebration, frequently interrupted by wild laughter drawn from the officiating judge’s witty remarks.

The exchange of vows (and rings) almost always raises the couple in an emotional high, and this one was no exception.

Gang’s mother always told her that she should marry someone with virtues like Jesus Christ; Gang teased she was marrying Christ indeed. I think the next photo somehow affirms that.

As the marriage rites concluded with their kiss, everyone was delighted to finally see the couple as husband and wife.

We would’ve wanted a few more photos of the couple but they couldn’t wait to get to the party. Party time!

Noel Cabangon, one of the couple’s Ninongs, offered a few songs, with one getting the crowd on its feet, arms alternately raised and clapping, singing for hope for the Filipino. (Just a side note: Yes that’s fafa John Lloyd Cruz sharing a laugh with Ninong Ronnie Lazaro.)

Three people close to the couple offered their wishes during the toast: Jay’s brother, Gang’s friend from her student days (with more wishes than the audio technician could predict), and Radioactive Lourd who works with Gang in Rock Ed Radio.

The “programmed” part of the non–programmed reception was concluded with Jay & Gang’s first dance, to the tune of “Beer” played live by the Itchyworms.

Now the real party time! After Itchyworms, The Radioactive Sago Project took to the stage with Gang even joining them on the cowbell, and singing a song. And because Rock Ed spells rock and nothing is more pinoy rock than the Eraserheads, two of them (Buddy and Raimund) joined Sago for “Alkohol”. Up Dharma Down was next but the dancing was raised to a higher level (quite expectedly) when Juan Pablo Dream started playing.

With such beautiful, danceable music pumping in the background, and with a snazzy celebrity for a partner, the bride’s mother certainly was having fun!

After the non–stop fun and electric dancing throughout the night, Juan Pablo Dream capped it with a slow tune that Jay & Gang could slowly dance to and relish.

A very special day indeed.

This story wouldn’t be complete without a Rock Ed “grad pic”, so here’s one from this momentous day:

To Jay & Gang, congratulations guys!

Jay & Gang (Ramon Magsaysay Center) is a post from: Markku & Hana