LOVE RENEWED AND REAFFIRMED: Mans and Mimi’s Beautiful Affair

The vow renewal of Mans and Mimi Meyer was a hush-hush affair as it was meant to be a surprise. For Mans, that is. This made organizing quite a challenge especially for Mimi who had to put things under wraps until the big reveal last February 14, 2013.

But it turned out that keeping Mans in the dark was easy; it was taming the rain that was not. And everything hung in a balance because the grandeur of the event that would unfold on the sprawling grounds of Villa Maria Luisa Hotel in Tandag City owed much to fine weather.

All Mimi wanted was to recapture a significant moment. On her wedding day on 14 February 2008 in Ireland, the weather was perfect: the sun was not only out, it was shining, warm, and bright. While Mans wore a suit, she wore nothing fancy: just a simple, small dress. But for a sweet and petite bride like her, no dress could ever be simple. And so that day, like a poetry in motion, she captured the German heart and soul of Mans.

Five years later, his name is still hers. Because of this, she wanted to relive that single most significant moment. But this time, in a land she calls home and with the comforting presence of families and friends. However, days before the big event, the rain showed no sign of letting up even if some friends were bending their knees in prayer and offering eggs to contemplative nuns of the Order of St. Clare in exchange for supplications for fine weather.

Then miraculously, on February 14, heaven showed compassion.

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And so it came to pass that the weather on Mans and Mimi’s vow renewal at four o’clock in the afternoon of love-day was perfect: the sun was not only out, it was shining, warm, and bright. He was dapper in an Italian vest worn over a matching tie and white dress shirt; and she was alluring in an ecru empire-cut gown by Manila-based designer Ryan Madamba.



As she walked down the snaking pathway toward the Gazebo holding a bouquet of imported, long-stemmed calla lilies, Mimi was a dream-like vision as she was shrouded in a veil of misty tulle that dropped to just an inch from the ground, thus adding chic to an already elegant handiwork of satin and Chantilly lace that was her gown. And when she met Mans at the center where their paths converged, he kissed and held her in his arms like the first time.

The wind sighed and time stood still.

As the beautiful words and melody of “Just the Way You Are” filled the air, Mans and Mimi walked past topiaries, bows, swags, and wreaths made of calla lilies, Holland and lemon roses, Japanese lanterns, lilliums, gerberas, wonder whites, lisiantus, philhopes, papyrus, century leaves, and xanadus; then past hurricane lamps that encased scented candles held by candelabras placed inside vases of lanky crystals. And like a magnificent apparition in a gazebo made radiant by the golden rays of the setting sun, Mans and Mimi renewed their vows before Reverend Antonio Bautista who stood between them and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.




After unveiled by Mans for a sweet and lingering kiss before a cheering crowd of over 100, Mimi led the releasing of the eight lanterns of love that reached for the sky like burning prayers in crimson.

Then, cocktails.



Mans and Mimi went up to their room to rest for a while and freshen up. Dusk had set in but guests were still milling about at the romantically lamp-lit gazebo area, washing down with champagne crab cakes in Cajune sauce, California makki ham and cheese rolls, and pigs-in-a-blanket.





At 7:00 in the evening, Mans and Mimi stood by the door of the grand ballroom of Villa Maria Luisa Hotel and welcomed guests to the reception party. The spacious venue held round tables-for-five swathed in immaculate white, carrying centerpieces of mostly white flowers with sprinklings of celadon. The two buffet tables carried the main courses: beef stroganoff, chicken cordon bleu, shrimp thermidor, and roast pork loin in orange marmalade sauce. Side by side with the salad bar was the multi-tiered dessert bar presenting an array of fruits in season, buco pandan, leche flan, and panna cotta in flavors of blueberry, cherry, and mango.

Sandwiching dinner, the reception program was short but sweet and punctuated by love songs personally chosen by the couple and sung by a professional singer from Davao City. Other highlights included the couple liplocking while dancing to the haunting rhythm coaxed from the strings of a violin by the hired singer; the honest and touching speeches of Mimi’s father and Governor Johnny T. Pimentel; the felicitations and wishes in person and on video by kith and kin of Mimi from all over the country and the globe; and the giving of a speech by the former Philippine ambassador to Ireland and his leading the toast in honor of Mans and Mimi that was set-off by a wine parade.



But nobody was prepared for the speech that Mimi gave. While Mans read his, Mimi delivered hers straight from the heart. Garbed in another elegant ecru gown of satin and Chantilly lace by the same designer, Mimi tempered her speech with just the right mix of drama, romance, symbology, and humour. And because the fine lady from Tago is an articulate and mesmerizing speaker, she had everybody in the palm of her hand.

As the night wore on, wine and food still flowed. Some guests had their pictures taken at the posterity wall showing Mans and Mimi cuddling by the pool; others joined Mans and Mimi on the dance floor; while the rest engaged in small talk over wine and canapes.

“A wedding is a celebration of falling in love and beginning of marriage. A renewal of vow is a celebration of staying in love and staying married.” While not a few couples have found a ground for divorce, Mans and Mimi have chosen to find their own solid ground for sticking together.

Until forever.

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(Here are my photos as event organizer, pro bono.)

The Story Behind the Mans and Mimi Meyer Vow Renewal

The project didn’t fall on my lap like I expected it. One day I just received a landline call from Mimi Montero-Meyer from Ireland. Even before I could say hello, she was crying. And so I had to piece together between her sobs what she wanted from me.

She was coming home with Mans, her German husband, and she intended to have a vow renewal done in Tandag with me as program host. I told her I had long retired from hosting weddings and similar events, adding that I had declined a lot of requests from kith and kin; and doing it for her would cause them to accuse me of being unfair.

But she wouldn’t take no for an answer, adding that she had a guest list that included the former Philippine ambassador to Ireland. Sensing an undertone and knowing where she’s coming from and her inspiring story, I told her that for the last time I’d do it for her. That was when she cried again.

Then she started asking me about the venue, the food, her gowns, etc. Fortunately for her, that day I wasn’t in the mood for playing dense, you know, “yaon magpa bulok-bulok” which is one of my favorite charades.

“You want me to organize the event for you?” I said.

She cried even more. That was her original plan, she said, but she didn’t have the courage to ask me.

“Mims,” I said, “I’ve organized big events but not a wedding. And I’ve long wanted to do it simply because I want to show people how it’s done. Okay, because you’ve given me this opportunity, I’ll organize your vow renewal for free!”

Quid pro quo.

All I could hear from the other end were sobs.

I made it clear to her that after we would discuss her objective and requirements and agree on the blueprint of the event, she would have to give me carte blanche. Just because I needed the opportunity to prove my worth didn’t mean I had to compromise my standards and my processes. That I’m known for doing things differently is a badge I proudly wear on my shoulder.

That was mid-January, and from that day on emails and calls from her end peppered my days.

And so that was it, I was all over: from menu approval to food tasting, to flowers, to set-up, to invites, to gowns and attire of participants, to engaging a chopper, to photo and video coverage, etc.

Mimi had initial agreements with the photo/videographer, singer, florist, and the pilot for the chopper that she wanted to use for shock value during her vow renewal. When I met florist Anne Magno-Marapao, I told her my simple requirement, which was “less but more”. Not “is” but “but”. She was confused. Then I explained, showing her pictures of things I wanted her to create for me, the main thing being the four giant topiaries. No baby’s breath, please, I said. Later, after the event, Anne would come up to me and say: Sir, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity; I just interpreted your ideas. To which I replied: No, Anne, you’re a good florist because it takes skills to interpret an idea from a fastidious person like me.

Though the invites were printed in London, I did gazillion edits. And when they reached me I had to tweak them because they were not what I thought they were. I even had to make an insert and order raffia in Davao to fasten them. I also had to print another set of invites for those who didn’t make it to the original guest list.

When the manager [Ms. Marissa de Castro Manzano, youngest daughter of the late Fred Manzano] and the chef of Villa Maria Luisa Hotel presented the menu, I suggested to ditch fish fillet and chopsuey and make the whole thing a fusion of Asian and Continental cuisine. But without pancit and beefsteak, of course. I also said that it was best if we had a dessert and a salad bar. And so the chef reworked the menu, adding full cocktails. I told him it was unnecessary especially that the lag time between the vow renewal and dinner was about 45 minutes. I said, if we go for it, it would have to be mini cocktails. But I had to confer it with Mimi.

I told Mimi that while I liked the idea of having cocktails, it was something excessive. But then she liked it and was amenable to it. And so on the day of the event guests had hors d' oeuvre and wine.

Much time and effort were spent on engaging the services of a chopper but all went for naught. On hindsight, it was for the best as I would have a hard time coordinating how Mimi and Mans would walk from the beach to the venue without ruining the moment’s drama.

I had meetings with the VML staff, florist, and everybody that had a stake in the event. And I briefed them along with the photographers from Surigao City days before the event. I did that because I know that even the best-laid plan can go awry. While I was worried of the rain to ruin the event, I had faith in God and my prayer warriors led by Ms. Gingot Dolon-Insame.

Mimi and Mans renewed their vows on love-day and they looked picture perfect, just like the weather and the set-up, both the grounds and the ballroom.

The reception program was short, highlighted by Mans and Mimi doing a lip-lock while having their first dance after five years to a violin rendition by the Himig singer from Davao and capped by a very heartfelt and touching message from Mimi who related how she and Mans met. And everybody raved about the food that was so abundant people helped themselves to another serving and more.

I received numerous thumbs-up and congratulatory remarks from attendees. Our former ambassador to Ireland, Ariel Abadilla, came up to me, shook my hand, and said, “Congratulations! Very well done!” The manager of VML said I had set the bar higher for event organizing in Tandag.

These are nice to hear, of course. But what really mattered to me was the text message of Mimi the day after. She said: Good morning, Nong. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day. We owe you so much. You made Mans and I feel as if our day was the most important day of your life. It was a blessing to have you as our planner. Thank you for everything.

For this event, I had set a very high standard for myself. And I’m glad that I had met my own standard. Call me egomaniacal but to me that is all that matters.

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Twenty-four years ago today I climbed the stairs to the third floor of Paradela building near Tandag town plaza to join the Department of Trade and Industry. Feeling small, I hesitated when I reached the door.

“Aduy, Mel! Dali,” Minda Duque, a DTI employee and a townmate, smiled and stood to meet me. She was alone in a huge room hosting more than half a dozen empty tables.

It was two years after EDSA Revolution and the government was reorganizing. And so DTI-Surigao del Sur then was young and skeletal, with only seven warm bodies. But because the five who were from Davao often went on official travel, it was mostly Minda who manned DTI. It wasn’t until a week and a half later that I met again Marizon S. Loreto, the DTI provincial director who interviewed me when I submitted my application letter a few months back.

It was then Undersecretary Cereferino Follosco (who later became the DOST Secretary) that gave DTI the reputation of having a nerve-wracking recruitment process. Consisting of a battery of tests and panel interviews, the process was such that even the most confident job seeker would wish for additional brain wattage. I learned about this from Minda when one day she happened to be on the same tricycle I was riding. She urged me to apply because “though many had tried, nobody had passed.”

As directed by Minda, I went to DTI on a Thursday because the chance was bigger that PD Loreto would be there. Charming and petite, PD Loreto is the type of interviewer that puts one at ease as she has a nice voice and an equally nice smile. Upon knowing I graduated from USC, she lit up; she herself spent two years at USC for her pre-med studies that she eventually finished in Davao.

I must’ve made an impression because what was supposed to be a casual interview just went on and on. And on.

I took the qualifying test the following week along with six others, half of whom were call-backs following a failed try. To this day I could still remember the toughest question in that overly long exam; it was the one that made us do a comparative analysis in terms of socio-economic impact should the 100-hectare marshland in Tago (yes, Tago!) that was presently the poor’s source of income (nipa shingles, wine, firewood, etc.) be converted into a site for aquaculture. We were made to support our answer with figures using assumptions. For a fresh graduate sans work experience except teaching taxation part-time at an external studies center, it was a trigger for aneurism.

But I passed it. Alone.

The two panel interviews that followed were not that gruelling as other failed applicants before me had painted. But then again, I’m not one to fear interviews. A few jitters, yes, but cowed? No way!

After the result was out that I passed the psychometric exam, DTI Regional Director Syvelyn “Bing” Tan did the final interview in Davao. And oh boy, how I loved that encounter with the feisty lady with goldfish eyes, near-Kabuki make-up, and the raspy voice of Elvira Manahan. Celibate and articulate, Ma’am Bing was an adept interviewer: probing but not intimidating; exacting but not condescending; accepting but not patronizing.

When the interview was over, she said she wanted me to be assigned in the regional office in Davao. What if I refuse, I said, but the words never left my pursed lips. PD Loreto later told me that she fought for me to be assigned in Tandag.

Twenty-four years is a long way. And the fact that I’m still with DTI writing this post speaks volumes on whether I like it here.

Happy anniversary to me!