Isabelle-Adrien wedding September 10 in Tuscany, Italy

MANILA, Philippines – It’s a pity that Bong Daza didn’t live long enough to give away his daughter Isabelle Daza at her wedding to her French fiancé Adrien Semblat on Sept. 10 in Tuscany, Italy. Bong’s ashes were buried last Saturday. He was 65 when he died of cardiac arrest at the Makati Med ICU barely two weeks after he was found unconscious due to heart attack.

Isabelle’s wedding comes on the heels of those of her cousin Georgina Wilson to British Arthur Burnand in England last April and their friend Solenn Heussaff to Argentinian Nico Bolzico in France last May. 

“I want our wedding to be intimate and elegant,” Isabelle told Funfare in an interview early this year. “It will be a Catholic wedding.”

Isabelle, 27, has been going steady with Adrien, 35, for six years. Adrien is the country manager of Adidas Philippines who came to Manila in 2008, the same year he and Isabelle were introduced to each other by their common friend Karen Jardenli (who’s with Bench).

According to that Funfare story, during more than 12 years in the sport industry, Adrien developed an expertise that includes team management, retail/commercial/marketing strategy/implementation and execution. He described himself as “passionate by sports” who plays football and does triathlons.

Adrien said that he has found a second home in the Philippines.

“I really wanted to experience working abroad and leave my comfort zone to live in a very different, challenging and enriching life,” he was quoted in an interview with PeopleAsia in 2011. He didn’t even know where Manila was and had to find out through Google. “When I got here, I found Manila to be a pretty oppressing city with its heat, crowd, traffic and pollution. But within months, I settled in my apartment and met Filipino friends. I found them to be the nicest people on Earth, very curious and helpful. Aside from Manila, there are the most beautiful beaches…”

I’m not sure if Isabelle will not, as she claimed then, quit showbiz after the wedding.

The sweethearts have traveled the world together. Adrien proposed to Isabelle in Cappadocia, Turkey, Isabelle reported as a “scoop” by Hola! (Philippines) magazine.

“First, we rode the hot-air balloons early in the morning,” Isabelle told Hola!, quoted in the Funfare story. “We went back to the Museum Hotel and had breakfast. Well, I ate!!! A lot!!! Adrien didn’t. I think he was too nervous. Then after breakfast, he popped the question to me.”

Here’s  the wedding schedule as printed in the invitation:

•  Friday, Sept. 9, 2016…Welcome dinner at 7 p.m. Dress: Relaxed, casual. Location: Lemon Garden at Castello Di Gargonza (suggested look: Cute!)
• Saturday, Sept. 10…Wedding ceremony at 4 p.m. Location: Church of St. Francis in Lucignano, the Province of Arezzo in Tuscany, Italy. Dress: Summer suits with ties, summer cocktail dresses (please avoid wearing black). The reception will be in the Lecceta (Oak) Garden at Castello Di Gargonza. Dinner will be served at the restaurant La Torre Di Gargonza.
• Sunday, Sept. 11…Hangover brunch at 11 a.m. Location: Poolside Garden at Castello Di Gargonza. Dress: Sunday Best (please bring two-piece swimsuit [sketched in invitation]).