A ‘Great Gatsby’ banquet

We were honored to witness an elegant wedding recently — that of Bryan Chua, son of Peru Consul General Francis Chua and Tanzania Consul Betty Chua, and Micheleen Subia, daughter of Isabela businessman Ernesto Subia and Pacita Subia.

Bryan and Micheleen took their vows before Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Bishop of Cubao Honesto Ongtioco, Bishop of Palo John Du, Archdiocese of Cebu spokesperson Monsgr. Joseph Tan, incoming Adamson University president Fr. Marcelo Manimtim, C.M. and chairman Fr. Venerando Agner, C.M., and Xavier School president Fr. Aristotle Dy, S.J. Their wedding was witnessed by family and friends at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati. 

The reception, which took place at Marriott Hotel Manila’s Grand Ballroom — the largest in the Philippines — was well-attended by iconic personalities from Forbes World’s Billionaires List, who are the movers and shakers of the Philippine economy. 

The grand ballroom looked absolutely stunning. We were mesmerized by the crystal bead curtains elegantly dangling from the ceiling and imported blooms in jaw-dropping standing sprays that accented the ballroom as well as smaller yet just as dramatic floral arrangements that adorned the tables. The ballroom stage had the Vienna State Opera — where the spectacular Wiener Opernball takes place once a year in Austria — as a backdrop.

It was such a welcome surprise as the family of the newlyweds had members of the diplomatic and consular corps in a cotillion — truly a rare thing to see.  Eritrea Consul George Yang also rendered several songs accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

An elaborate menu for the Chinese lauriat was served. The dinner spread was unique and heavenly with standout dishes like braised live lobster in Superior sauce with E-fu noodles, pan-fried lamb chops with mint, and steamed live pink garoupa — an extremely rare fish that had never been served in such large quantities.

Indeed, the wedding was exceptional from nuptials to banquet. Guests were very lucky as I thought they wouldn’t experience such a splendid and extraordinary wedding reception in the near future.

Our prayers for a long and happy life for Bryan and Micheleen!