Forever: The Jason Francisco - Melissa Cantiveros Nuptials

Hello people! :) It's time! 

I was invited a few weeks ago to a very special event. It's the wedding of Jason Francisco and Melissa Cantiveros. I love these two and you probably know I've been covering them on fashion shows, movies and events for a long time. For us, the people reading this post right now... it's but a fantasy for us to see them end up together... and yes this has been fulfilled.

I went to General Santos City in a heartbeat by booking a flight a few days after. I've never been to this place before. I didn't think about the events that I've cancelled, or the tons of backlogs I have in this blog... I just felt I had to be there. I felt if I missed this, I'll be getting tons of hate from Melason fans all over the world LOL (jowk).. but really, I just wanted to go there because I consider them my friends. It was like a special day for them and I didn't want to be second guessing at home and make nganga. People were asking me if they paid for my fare and hotel, I politely said no... I just felt, I just got to be there because I love these two. Okay, enough of the drama and let's go back to business. I know you guys are waiting for this!

The blow by blow accounts I made on twitter by the way were all true, but I'd be able to tell the stories with photos now. It's time!

The church is huge. This is the Holy Cross Church in the Calumpang - Saranggani area. If you've never been there, it's like a small Araneta Coliseum without the seats but church bleachers in the center. The call time was 2PM and I arrived there on time. They were still doing the sound checks when I arrived and VIP's were not yet there. Then Congress Manny Pacquiao arrived, everyone screamed and got excited.The priest even went up in front and said a few things because it was getting rowdy. Fact is, people can't contain their excitement... but I understand he still wants the ceremony to stay solemn, formal and blessed.

 

I was alone like an hour in the VIP section and now I've got Pacquiao sitting right behind me. We had a moment when he looked at me and smiled. Haha. I turned into a fan again and smiled back. 

Then I saw some familiar faces.
 

On the left is Fragrance Taipan Joel Cruz and one of the sponsors. So sorry to the lady with Joel because I think I stepped on her foot when people arrived (another mishap). Then Bugoy Drilon and people from Star Magic arrived also. The guy behind Bugoy is Paul Jake Castillo.

 

They arrived the night before, even after a concert they were pumped to perform that day. Yes, Bugoy sang in the church and did deliver. Paul Jake Castillo was dapper, girls were screaming. Ryan Bang arrived that morning and had to take a cab to get to this occasion. He went in the church and spun around because he couldn't see the entourage. People laughed a bit seeing that.

Then while I was walking around to see who else was there, I saw a good looking man with brightness on his face in a Gray Nat Manilag Couture suit.

See why I mentioned he was so GWAPO on Twitter? He was clean cut, shaven and looked so good on this one. 

They lined up and Jason got his best men right beside him. He was so happy to see them both in General Santos City, Paul Jake flew in from Cebu whilst Ryan flew in from Manila.

Some local politicians and other sponsors also arrived. I heard the Mayor, some other congressmen were there.

 

Then I saw Jason's siblings. That's her sister I think.. and that good looking guy right there is my friend JC Francisco hehe. Even though we don't see each other that much, we felt right at home. He is so MABAIT. I feel he's going to follow his brother's footsteps in showbiz. (Yan Jec ah build up! LOL)

Then the wedding march started.

Now I have to tell you, I was shooting guerrilla already by this time because the people covering this event were already clamping us down (making hawi my camera). I didn't bother introducing myself because I knew they wouldn't understand and I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. Anyway I still got some photos right? That's what's important. :) But that's the reason why I didn't get to shoot Melai during her part of the march (just so you know). Then they started.

You can probably imagine how far I was from the couple at that time. That's the reason why some of my shots were a little off. It was a joy seeing them this happy! I felt so glad I had the chance to witness everything first hand. Their vows were also a treat! You should listen very carefully to the words, people in the church were a little noisy and didn't get to hear most of it. It was really funny I tell you.

When it ended, photos had to be taken.

There were really prominent people in the sponsors list. I would have loved to have had a shot with Aling Dionisia but alas I had no chance to do that, she was busy.

Then I saw Paul Jake and Ryan trying to get a shot with Manny Pacquiao... but someone was photo bombing them haha! Then the people clamored for more of THIS!

Now if that isn't LOVE... I don't know what is..

Melai's Mom cried a lot during the ceremony... but they are not losing a daughter... they are gaining another son in Jason.

Then we went back to the hotel. The Greenleaf Hotel is the newest upper class hotel in General Santos. At the reception venue called Pandan.. we saw the videos of the couple during the PBB days, their prenup and same day edited wedding footage. They had that awesome dance number you saw on TV - then there were some well wishes too from the principal sponsors, the parents and especially the grandma of Melai which was really touching. They didn't allow us to shoot there either. Nor post any updates on Twitter/other social media channels. Rica Paras hosted the event.

They were having fun on this bit because after they threw the bouquet, the guy who's going to bite the garter was no other than the Best Man... Paul Jake Castillo.. the ladies went bezerk!
  Photo shown above are of the people who arranged everything. Thank for making it less stressful for the couple!

I think these guys are from MELASON.COM... I forgot to shoot the people on my table but they were from Melason Pexers who I usually talk to in Pex :) Oh wait, here's the one from my phone :)

Thanks guys!

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I only had a few minutes to shoot these two, but I was so glad I was in some way... I was part of this!

CONGRATULATIONS 

MR. AND MRS. JASON AND MELISSA FRANCISCO!

Thanks to everyone for being so nice to me during this trip to General Santos City. Our day was filled with LOVE LOVE and LOVE. Hope you had a piece of whatever I had during this wedding. Thank you! I hope it stays like this FOREVER!