Birth Certificates

Feel ko na talaga na malapit na ang wedding kasi inaayos na namin ang documents. This is really is it.

Here are our pretty NSO-issued birth certificates ordered through NSO Helpline 737 1111.
Very easy ang procedure:

1. Call 737 1111
2. Provide the following information:

• Complete name of person to be certified
• Complete name of father
• Complete maiden name of mother
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Info if you were registered late or if there are corrections in your birth certificate
• Complete name and address of requesting party
• Number of copies needed
• Purpose of certificate

3. We applied for both birth certificate and CENOMAR. The customer service agent will just apply the same details to your CENOMAR application.

4. They will ask you to note down the reference number. 1 reference number per certificate. So, for us it was four reference numbers, 2 for birth certificates and 2 for CENOMARs.

5. Pay for the service in any Metrobank branch. 1 birth certificate is P330, and 1 CENOMAR is P430. We got 2 copies each... tatlo palang birth certificate para sakin dahil sa baptismal certificate issue ko (Boo!).

When filling up your Metrobank payment slip use the green slip, 1 per reference number. Use NSO Helpline as Company Name, and the name of the requesting party as the Account Name.

You can also pay in Bancnet ATM and Bayad Centers

6. Birth certificate is processed within 4 working days, and the CENOMAR within 7 working days. Make sure to provide an authorization letter in case you're not the one to receive the package. The authorized recipient also needs to have an ID.


Ay salamat, nakuha na ito. And thanks to our parents who made sure all entries are correct!

Here they are!

Monogram

Parang requirement yata sa mga ikakasal ang pagkakaron ng monogram. Sige, sali na rin ako.

Actually, ang sakto:
RM = Ros and Momon
RM = Raymund Macachor
RM = Rosana Macachor, coming soon pa lang.

Pasok! So, hanap na lang ako sa mga logo and design sites ng mga monogram na RM. I wanted something na hindi tali sa wedding, at hindi sobrang feminine. We're going to use it beyond the wedding, kaya walang date.

Eto napili namin ni Momon:

In its original colors
Thank you sa original designer nito. Sorry sa aking plagiarism moment.

Just trying it out with some of our colors.

But here is what really led me to looking for a monogram--having it applied in a DRY SEAL. Parang kumpanya lang! Magagamit ko to sa mga libro, mga sulat, Christmas card, etc.

Here are possible applications in wedding paraphernalia: table napkins, place cards, missalette covers, invitation envelopes and other stuff on paper. Love it!

I have to go to Recto/Quiapo para magpagawa ng dry seal. I'll update when I finally get it. I'm sure maa-addict ako sa pag sa-stamp.


UPDATE: June 30

Yahoo! Nandito na ang DRY SEAL! And it's so cute! I can't wait to apply it na sa mga DIY namin.

I had it done sa Recto for P1,800. :-)

Hanna and Joseph

Hanna and Joseph
Candle Sponsors

No, hindi sila mag-boyfriend or mag-asawa. Uma-acting lang sila dito sa eksenang 'to na parang bagong kasal sa kanilang bagong kusina. Hahaha! Ang totoo, lagi silang nagkukulitan nagbabarahan, at nagbi-bitchesahan. Sino kaya sa kanila ang mas bitchesa? Pero ang mas totoo, kami ay magkakaibigang tunay, na hinubog ng aming mga karanasan mula sa Kabataan News Network, mapunta man ng Astoria, Antipolo, Malacanan, o saan mang dako ng Teacher's Village.

So, pano ko ba sinabi sa kanila?

HANNA
Si Hanna una ko talagang naisip para maging commentator. So, sinabi ko na sa kanya yun. Mega-enthusiastic ang lola, kailan daw ba kami magpa-practice. So, one night... kumain kami ni Hanna sa Timog Food Plaza dahil meron akong ipapa-abot sa kanya sa isa pang katrabaho. Sunod kong inabot, isang card na madrama na makwela. Na-touch naman sya. Ngayon, may kapantay na yata ako sa excitement dito sa wedding na 'to. Gusto ni Hanna lagi mag-meeting sa progress, kailan daw ba kami magpupunta sa divisoria. Grabe, heaven sent!

JOSEPH
Inisipan namin ni Hanna ng gimmick. Sabi ni Hanna, gawan ko rin daw si Joseph ng card. Sabi ko naman, baka di ma-appreciate. So, katapus-tapusan, ginawan ko na lang sya ng matchbox na may magandang pabalat, na nandun ang sort of invitation na maging candle sponsor sya. E kaso binigay namin to sa kanya sa habang kumakain ng isaw, sa dilim. Natural di n'ya mabasa! Hahaha! Akala tuloy n'ya binibigyan ko s'ya ng gagaba na nasa loob ng box ng posporo. Imagine, ako magbibigay ng gagamba!

Tapos nung pauwi na kami kinwento namin kay Joseph na dapat sana card ang ibibigay ko sa kanya. Dapat daw nakalagay, "Joseph, I love you. That's why I have chosen you to be part of my entourage." Hahaha, classic Joseph 'to! Magawa nga!

SINGLE N.

This is not a "vent out" moment, although it may seem like it. I just want to share my recent frustration about acquiring documents from the church.
I am a non-practicing Catholic, but still Momon and I decided to get married in a church. First requirement: BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE

We're now in the 6-month home stretch in wedding preps, and finally it's time to start working on the documents.

I went to Claret last week to get my baptismal certificate with the "for marriage purpose" seal. Lo and behold, my name is mispelled. My name is ROSANA. It is often mispelled with two Ns or two S's. I've gotten quiet used to it, actually, but I still find it irritating. I often find my name mispelled in almost everywhere when the one who types it down decides that s/he knows more than I or my parents do on how to spell my name. They always assume we made the mistake of removing one N, so they just correct it for us. Che! I usually applaud silently when new friends and colleagues spell my name right even if it's the first time I've introduced myself. Hay...

So, when I got the baptismal certificate, I think, "This is not really so bad. It's not a completely new name. It's just a typo." The church still prints out the certificate and I pay P50.

They tell me to come back with a photocopy of my birth certificate. And so I did. The church then issues me a series of documents: request for partial reconstruction, affidavit something, and attaches the photocopy of my birth certificate and baptismal certificate earlier issued. All for another P150. Then they tell me to go to the QC Chancery Office to apply for the reconstruction. Imagine, at this point pa lang, the cost of getting the baptismal certificate has quadrupled.

This morning, I called the QC Chancery Office to inquire about driving directions. Since I'm meticulous, I also asked the lady on the phone about the partial reconstruction. Buti na lang I called. She tells me that the aside from the endorsement from the church I need to submit the following:

1. Newly Issued Birth Certificate - So, di na pala pwede yung naka-attach.
2. Certified True Copy of School Records (Form 137 or TOR)
3. OR instead of #2, 3 valid IDs indicating my name and birthday. These IDs must be photocopied, and the photocopy must be notarized.

And the lady stressed, "Prelimenary requirements lang ito, ha? Pag sakaling di ma-satisfy ang magre-review baka humingi pa ng ibang proof of reconciliation." Wow. Bangko nga 2 valid IDs lang hinihingi e. This means I have to wait for the birth certificate with the "for marriage purpose" seal before I get my baptismal certificate. Not to mention the cost, of course. There's the additional cost for the notarization, transportation, and processing fees. P50 lang dapat to in the first place. Single N lang ang kaibahan. It does not change the number of syllables, the pronunciation, etc. Hay... they aim to complicate.

This certificate, which could have been easily crossed off our list may be the most difficult to acquire. :-(

I know other brides have more difficulties with documents than I do. This is just one bump in the road, nothing we can't handle. Go lang!

Joe San Antonio

6 months to go, and I've chosen my bridal gown designer: Joe San Antonio

The Story:
I've already written about my bridal gown dilemma/drama here:
http://rmacachor.multiply.com/journal/item/38

So, to finally zap myself out o that ditch, I met with two designers.

Gretchen Pichay
I went to Gretchen Pichay's house in New Manila, which is also her atelier. The whole basement/silong of her house is like her shop. Dun na rin nagtatahi.

She is very warm, simple lang, very casual. Unang ginawa n'ya was to review yung mga design pegs na binigay ko. Nagandahan sya particular sa neckline and train. So, from there, nag-sketch na sya agad.

Sketch Description:

* The neck/upper part is similar to my peg, with a sweetheart neckline. In the torso area, she put drapings in X pattern. She then put a pseudo belt with beadings. Lace with abound the drapings until the upper part of the skirt.
* At the back, she will execute my peg for the train, with electropleated cloth. She will also put a flower or ribbon at the waist.


My Choice:
JOE SAN ANTONIO
www.joesanantonio.multiply.com

I visited Joe San Antonio in her atelier in Eisenhower Tower, Greenhills.
Her office was more formal, more business like. She has all these colored pens and drawing tools. There were also a lot of magazine to browse.

From my pegs, she asked me which is my favorite--of course I say the neckline. She then sketched two designs, both applying the neckline I like.

Sketch 1
The bodice kas X pattered drapings, skimming the torso and ending in a horizontal line a bit below the butt. The skirt is a two-tiered bubble skirt, with the tiers moving in opposing directions.

Sketch 2
The neckline and bodice had the same concept, but this time she didn't have the horizontal cut. The X-pattern ended at the hips. Then, the lower portion is a combination of a-line and mermaid tiered chiffon.

Initial Thoughts:
I think what really appealed to me with Joe is her work ethic. She only accepts 4 to 5 bridal gowns per month to ensure the quality. Her office is neat. She has a cleint's info sheet, sample agreement form, rate card, her swatches were all in order, etc. In a situation where she and Gretchen were almost in the same footing, these things mattered.

The "this is it" feeling brides always refer to came to me after listing down my observations both for Gretchen and Joe.

I went alone to these meetings because I felt I needed to own this process. In the end, the decision will entirely rest on me. Since I consider this my waterloo, I feel will easily be persuaded by others, and I don't want that to happen. Therefore, I really just have to trust myself to know what it is I want.

Looking for a Designer

I'm trying to get a hold of the emotions I'm feeling now. Perhaps a blog entry would help me sort things out.

My current wedding task is focused on the wedding attire. For some people, this may be the first thing on their list, but for a t-shirt and pants girl like me, it isn't. Still, I know and acknowledge that the wedding attire is as weighty as one's church, reception venue, etc. Everyone will be judging--and I really mean judging--the bridal gown, right?

So, I do the drill. I research for endless nights for my, Momon's and the entourage's wedding attire inspirations and pegs. I'm not very hard to please, I think. So, for over several months now, I already have--what I think--is my dream wedding dress. Really, it's easy to choose among designs, cuts, and beaded drama when you're only 5 foot flat, not exactly svelt, and most of all, under a tight budget.

So, on to the next step: finding someone to execute design.

CORA
Our family has a trusted seamstress. I wouldn't call her a designer. She has never referred to herself as one. Her main focus in the fashion industry is office garments production, not really bridal.

Our experience with her has always been very positive. My mom and sister are both on the heavy side, and they have office tops and pants made by her. We've also had gowns for weddings and other special occasions done by her, all to our utmost satisfaction. We would gladly referred her to anyone looking for a seamstress.

Work ethic is fabulous. She comes to our house, instead of us going to her shop. She's more of a trusted colleague and partner, rather than a distant supplier.

I've been in contact with her over email. Last Sunday, she went to our house for a meeting to decide on fabric, designs, etc. She said that all these decisions will help her make an accurate quote.

Everything went well, and at the moment, I'm just waiting for her quote.

JOE AND GRETCHEN
Now... what to do next.
I feel I need to explore. Cora has mentioned that her bridal gowns start at P35,000. Hmmm... I felt it was pricey for someone who does not focus on bridal gowns. I'm sure, with all the information I get from W@W community, I'll be able to find a designer who specializes in bridal gowns, and will do it at the same or lower cost. If so all else is equal, I'll go with the latter.

Joe San Antonio and Gretchen Pichay are two young designers. From what I've seen in their Multiply portfolios, they are talented and creative. The W@W community has also showered them with good feedback. I'm looking forward to meeting them.


Managing My Lack of Entusiasm
Perhaps, meeting someone for the first time about this bridal gown, will bring my excitement up. I feel, I should start treating this as an adventure, as a new field to conquer, rather than a Waterloo.

I should allow myself to feel OK that I'm spending P30,000 ++ for a dress I am going to wear only once. I need to feel the moment, I need to feel OK about it in order to push myself to get the best option.

I need to stop over analyzing and just go with what my heart instructs. Something tells me, this bridal gown issue can not be resolve purely on reason, like I have been doing for some suppliers.

I need to own it.

The Feast

An unexpected accomplishment yesterday, Momon and I finalized the menu for our dinner party with Chef Giney Villar of Adarna Food and Culture.

I'm so glad to finally hurdle this task. I went to Adarna thrice to have lunch and dinner dates with the ulterior motive of tasting Chef Giney's concoctions, once with C5 and twice with bridesmaid Hanna. Ayoko nang bumalik, because I don't want the place to feel too familiar. I'm sure there will be more visits to come to finalize more things.


In the meantime, may I present our menu:

Almondigas Soup

Savory beafballs with fine misua. A certified comfort food.



Torta Espesyal

The goodness of fresh eggs steamed with olive oil and spices on a banana leaf with ground pork and shrimp. Served with Pan de Sal.

Sulu Piassok

Experience this exotic Sulu dish of beef chunks slow-cooked in smoked coconut cream and ten spices till tender--buttered, grilled and sliced just before serving. 



Buyabes Bicolano
Fresh vegetables and grilled seafood (fish, shrimp and squid) cooked with smoked coconut cream, spices and a hint of fish bagoong to remind one of a homespun Southern beach picnic.


Kangkong and Bagoong

Stir-fried kankong with bagoong topped with sweet and spicy dilis. Two quick Chinese-inspired concoctions in one!



Steamed Pandan Rice



Banana Peanut Roll

Ripe saba banana with roasted peanut cream in a crisp wrapper drizzled with old fashioned caramelo sauce.



Softdrinks


-------

Yay! Just a few thoughts on how we finally nailed it:

• Adarna has their set menus, but because I'm a brat, I wanted to have my own menu. Haha. What we did was to read through Adarna's ala carte menu and we made a shortlist. From this shortlist, we had several food tastings and proposed a menu to Chef Giney. She advised us on certain things, but in the end made some adjustments to fit the things that we already chose. She then made a costing for us. Pasok naman sa banga.
• We chose dishes based on the description, and whether they can be shared when served family-style, paired with other dishes, and the most important of all--the price.
• We also decided to forego the salad and noodles. Deadma na. We are not big vegetable eaters and we want to eat what we want to eat at our wedding. As for the pancit, it was a bit expensive, and slashing it was an easy choice.
• I was also agonizing about serving seafood. My dad doesn't eat pork anymore and is steering away from beef and chicken. So, a fish/seafood dish is a must. And I also think this is respectful to your guest who are similar to my dad. I am so glad that I tasted Buyabes at that exact time when we were just looking for something to complete the menu. Hanna and I had a moment.
• We chose softdrinks because it is the cheapest. Kung hindi ka umiinom ng softdrinks, magtubig ka na lang. Sorry po. Excuse na rin namin na "Pag softdrink, they get to choose pa kung cola, white cola, orange, rootbeer, etc. Meron pang light options! O di mas parang feeling nila na may choice sila kaysa kung ihain na lang ang walang kamatayang iced tea." Taray.
• Upon reading the menu again, hmmm... di naman kami masyadong mahilig sa smoked coconut cream, ano? Pero as long as Chef Giney said that this is a good combination, go! No worries, the Piassok doesn't really taste like it's cooked in coconut cream, basta nandun na lang s'ya. Hay... nagugutom ako.
• Pero nung nabasa ko ang menu, gusto ko lang magpaka-profound, deep, analytical, etc. Nadi-dissonance ako. Napansin ko we chose pieces na hindi naman talaga fancy: almondigas, torta, kangkong with bagoong, babana peanut roll e turon lang ito! Pero, wait till you see and try them... yun yon e! Meron silang twist! Pati kanin, steamed pandan rice pa talaga sya! O di ba? Hahaha! Mutual admiration society yata ang hanap ko.
• So there, we're quite pleased with ourselves. Sana magustuhan din ng mga bisita. Dami ko nang narinig na kahit anong ganda ng wedding kung pangit ang pagkain, wala rin. Kailangan daw memorable ang food. So, sige. I'm confident na kaya nating i-achieve ito. Pero ayoko na magpa-pressure. This is just one meal of their lives, at dahil mahal kami ng guests namin, kung anuman ang drama nila sa pagkain, patatawarin nila kami.

Some photos of the food HERE.

Cute!

Hi Mym, this is so sweet!





Eto naman, ang concept is meron two people, from two places, taking shots of themselves na pwedeng pag-dikitin to make another image.

Although di applicable satin yung concept na magkahiwalay kasi di naman tayo long-distance relationship. Pero maganda yung part sa dulo na pinagdi-dikit nila yung photos. We can actually do this shots na meron na tayo, sa Mekong trip, or any place for that matter. Ang pagdidikit ay sa actual edting na lang. Or pwede rin natin gawin yung sa kanila, na pinakita yung paggupit, ewan.

Pwedeng hanap tayo ng mga shots na applicable sa ganito nung mga bata pa tayo, tapos yung habang tumanda na tayo, yung mga magksama na.

Ayun, at least di masyadong mahirap i-execute. :)

Trip to Kamuning for Momon's Barong

Today, we zeroed in on probably the only thing exclusively related to the groom--the barong.

Momon and I went to Kamuning--Quezon City's textile and tailoring capital--to see sample designs and research on rates. I've spent a number of weekends in Kamuning with my parents when I was young. My dad had his office attires and fancy barongs made there. My dress for the junior prom, CAT uniform, bed sheets were all done there. Whenever we need cloth for school projects, it's always Kamuning.

Our experience today affirms again the classic case for weddings, where the bride seems to be more important than the groom. For girls, we scan so many dress designs on the internet until we find the one, then we spend so much time again looking for the designer to have the dress interpreted for us. We know for a fact, and we have accepted it, that the most expensive clothing we will ever buy in our lives, we will only wear once.

For grooms, they decide between the barong and the suit. Then, we learn about the different kinds of fabric, their value and their prestige. From there, we pick and choose the design and work with a tailor to have it done. Sabi ko pa kay Momon, "Pag nakapili ka na ng gusto mong fabric, bubuklatin natin lahat yan para makita natin ang buong embroidery." Sabi nya, "Hindi, pipili na lang ako kahit naka-fold."

Ang pinakamahal pala sa barong is the abaca from Aklan, then the pina, then the jusi. Combinations of two fibers fall in between. We wondered why we haven't seen so many grooms wearing the abaca when it's so elegant and expensive--sort of a status symbol. There's also the callado embroidery which has all inches of the cloth embroidered; and the raya embroidery which has the embroideries at the back and in the sleeves. The type of weaving, whether checkered or unidirectional also has a bearing on the cost.

Prices of Cloth
Pure Abaca - 12,000
Pina Abaca - 5,000

Pure Pina Raya - 6,500 to 7,500
Pure Pina - 3,000 to 4,000

Pina Silk Raya - 4,500
Pina Silk - 2,000 to 2,500

Pina Callado Front - 6,000
Pina Callado Full - 12,000

Pina Jusi - 700 to 1,500 (depends on design)

Prices of Tailoring (Labor and includes lining, buttons, zippers, etc)
Pina with Lining - 1,500
Pina Jusi - 850
Pants - 400
Barong Suit - 3,800
Suit with Pants - 3,800

Momon has decided that he does not want a barong suit. He wants it either the pure abaca or pure pina raya. According to him, the final decision will depend on the budget left from my gown expenses, and whether or not he wants to be able to wear the barong again for other ocsasions. Case in point, again.

We also saw some cloths for wedding gowns, really interesting! But my mom intiially said that she wants us to go to Lumban and buy our cloths there. We'll see. Momon and I are open to another field trip. :)

As of today, Feb 21

Momon and I officially started planning last Feb 8, 2009 when we had our ocular in Tagaytay. Here's where we are after one year of preps and 7 months before our wedding day.

Many things have changed from our original plan, all for the better, I trust. We've made wonderful progress in our decision making procedures and we feel very confident with where we currently are.

I wrote down even the littlest details.


PARTNERS BOOKED/ITEMS PURCHASED:

1. Church - Santuario de San Jose, Greenhills
2. Reception Venue and Caterer - Adarna Food and Culture
2. Photographer - Redsheep Photography
3. Videographer - Cinemaworks by John de Guzman
4. Party Favors - Bai Capture Photobooth (c/o Andrea)
5. HMUA for Ros and Moms - Chickoy Vistro
6. OTD Coordinator - Special Events by the Planner
7. Wedding Rings - Regina Santi
8. Lights and Sounds - Rejectkrew
9. Entourage Florist - Angel of Hearts
10. Reception Florist - Flowers of May
11. Invitations - Printed Matter
12. Pre-cana Seminar - Discovery Weekend
13. Wedding Cord - Beautiful Bonds
14. Entourage Favors - Vietnamese embroidery products
15. Honeymoon Flights
16. Earrings - Tiger Lilly
17. Reception decor - sari sari store set-up
18. Ros' shoes
19. Nail enamel for Ros

SHORTLISTED/READY TO BOOK:
If you have some comments or feedback on these, please let me know.

1. Gown - Our family seamstress, Gretchen Pichay for Ros
2. Barong - Kamuning textile market, Rhey Casedo
3. Cake - Estrel's Caramel Cake
4. Hotel Preparations - Astoria Plaza
5. Gift Registry - Rustan's and SM Department Store
6. Church Choir - Holy Family Parish choir
7. HMUA for Entourage - Angie dela Cerna or Darvs
8. Priest - from Santuario or from Discovery Weekend
9. Meals in hotel - our usual caterer
10. Projector - from Rejectkrew, or to be borrowed
11. Screen - Adarna

I also listed down other items needed, but which I might not necessarily acquire from any specific supplier. I just wanted to check with you if I missed anything.

FOR FURTHER RESEARCH:

1. Jewelry and Accessories
2. Shoes for Momon
3. Transportation
4. Choreographer

FROM FRIENDS:

1. Host - Jenny Orlina
2. Special Presentation - Abet Mesa

POSSIBLE DIY:

1. Printables - menu, table numbers, pew cards, missalettes
2. Save the Dates
3. Treats for guests en route to reception venue
4. Additional decor for stage

ONGOING/MONTHLY TASKS:

1. Fitness routine
2. Petitions to Sta. Clara and Pink Sisters (Dona Hemady)
3. Facials

Madami pang hindi nakalista dito. Sa ibang entry naman.