Post by admin on May 14, 2005 12:32:42 GMT 8
Claudine on Cloud Nine
Posted 07:04pm (Mla time) May 12, 2005
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A2-1 of the May 13, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
MONTHS before the big day in January 2006, the bride was already radiating bliss.
In the new home she had built with future groom Raymart Santiago in the outskirts of Quezon City, actress Claudine Barretto was regaling guests with her wedding plans.
"I want a simple ceremony, but I don't think that will ever happen," the star sighed, knowing only too well that celebrity demanded nothing less than a multi-media coverage. "We want to share it with friends and fans. But because we can't possibly bring everyone to the venue, we agreed on doing a TV special."
She had always envisioned a garden wedding in Baguio (Camp John Hay), Tagaytay (Tagaytay Highlands), or Cebu (Shangri-La Mactan). But Subic seems to be the most logical choice now.
"As the days go by, there are lots of changes pa," she said.
One thing's for sure: her favorite designer Randy Ortiz will make the gown.
"In the past, I would fit my gowns with Randy only once and [each time it would be] perfect," she said. "For my wedding outfit, he even went all the way to the United States to buy the shoes."
Claudine is getting a little help from other friends as well.
"My wedding coordinator is a good friend of mine, Ting Blando," she said. "She knows exactly what I want."
Her only wish is for a clear day. "Not too hot, not too cold, no rain... or better yet, for God to give us a rainbow!"
Although she is busy with the altar date, she is also currently juggling three high-profile projects for her home studio-the new telenovela "Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin" and two new movies "Nasaan Ka Man" and "Dubai."
Aside from the wedding, the couple is devoting all their resources (and creativity) to their new home.
Designed by Raymart, who once wanted to become an architect, the modern Asian home also benefited from Claudine's feminine touch.
"It's a lot like a spa," she described their home. "Very relaxing and laid back."
On the day of our visit, Jenny Miller, Claudine's close pal and bridesmaid, was having a massage in the baby room.
Claudine was bringing in a few accent pieces, Arturo Luz and Ben Cabrera paintings and Barretto heirloom decor, here and there.
Raymart provided the bonsais on the patio and the giant Maranaw drum from the South in the foyer area. The patchwork main door, made of 16 kinds of local hardwood, including narra and molave, was also Raymart's idea.
From Claudine's side of the family, there's also a team of design experts.
"I'm just so happy that my mom [Inday] is so good at fixing up a house," she said. "It's her passion. My sister Marjorie is also like that."
Claudine might not have inherited mom's flair, but she got the cooking skills down pat.
"Although I am Ilonggo," she said, "I learned how to cook Bicolano dishes because of the movie 'Kailangan Kita.' Bicol Express, Ginataang Apoy (actually the movie's original title)..."
She is such a whiz in the kitchen that she used to mount special theme parties for non-show biz gal pals in her old condo units in Platinum and LPL.
That's the same reason she has accumulated lots of fine-dining stuff through the years.
"Like these celadon plates from Thailand," Claudine explained, pointing at some pieces on the table. "Every time I go abroad, I make it a point to bring home something special. We used to have Chinese nights and we'd all dress up in cheongsams. Or we'd have Japanese nights and put chopsticks in our hair. Or we'd have seafood nights and make baked tahong and halaan soup. Or we'd have wine-and-cheese nights!"
Such parties are bound to become less frequent, of course, as she prepares to settle into quiet domesticity.
Posted 07:04pm (Mla time) May 12, 2005
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A2-1 of the May 13, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
MONTHS before the big day in January 2006, the bride was already radiating bliss.
In the new home she had built with future groom Raymart Santiago in the outskirts of Quezon City, actress Claudine Barretto was regaling guests with her wedding plans.
"I want a simple ceremony, but I don't think that will ever happen," the star sighed, knowing only too well that celebrity demanded nothing less than a multi-media coverage. "We want to share it with friends and fans. But because we can't possibly bring everyone to the venue, we agreed on doing a TV special."
She had always envisioned a garden wedding in Baguio (Camp John Hay), Tagaytay (Tagaytay Highlands), or Cebu (Shangri-La Mactan). But Subic seems to be the most logical choice now.
"As the days go by, there are lots of changes pa," she said.
One thing's for sure: her favorite designer Randy Ortiz will make the gown.
"In the past, I would fit my gowns with Randy only once and [each time it would be] perfect," she said. "For my wedding outfit, he even went all the way to the United States to buy the shoes."
Claudine is getting a little help from other friends as well.
"My wedding coordinator is a good friend of mine, Ting Blando," she said. "She knows exactly what I want."
Her only wish is for a clear day. "Not too hot, not too cold, no rain... or better yet, for God to give us a rainbow!"
Although she is busy with the altar date, she is also currently juggling three high-profile projects for her home studio-the new telenovela "Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin" and two new movies "Nasaan Ka Man" and "Dubai."
Aside from the wedding, the couple is devoting all their resources (and creativity) to their new home.
Designed by Raymart, who once wanted to become an architect, the modern Asian home also benefited from Claudine's feminine touch.
"It's a lot like a spa," she described their home. "Very relaxing and laid back."
On the day of our visit, Jenny Miller, Claudine's close pal and bridesmaid, was having a massage in the baby room.
Claudine was bringing in a few accent pieces, Arturo Luz and Ben Cabrera paintings and Barretto heirloom decor, here and there.
Raymart provided the bonsais on the patio and the giant Maranaw drum from the South in the foyer area. The patchwork main door, made of 16 kinds of local hardwood, including narra and molave, was also Raymart's idea.
From Claudine's side of the family, there's also a team of design experts.
"I'm just so happy that my mom [Inday] is so good at fixing up a house," she said. "It's her passion. My sister Marjorie is also like that."
Claudine might not have inherited mom's flair, but she got the cooking skills down pat.
"Although I am Ilonggo," she said, "I learned how to cook Bicolano dishes because of the movie 'Kailangan Kita.' Bicol Express, Ginataang Apoy (actually the movie's original title)..."
She is such a whiz in the kitchen that she used to mount special theme parties for non-show biz gal pals in her old condo units in Platinum and LPL.
That's the same reason she has accumulated lots of fine-dining stuff through the years.
"Like these celadon plates from Thailand," Claudine explained, pointing at some pieces on the table. "Every time I go abroad, I make it a point to bring home something special. We used to have Chinese nights and we'd all dress up in cheongsams. Or we'd have Japanese nights and put chopsticks in our hair. Or we'd have seafood nights and make baked tahong and halaan soup. Or we'd have wine-and-cheese nights!"
Such parties are bound to become less frequent, of course, as she prepares to settle into quiet domesticity.