I finally finished an album design that is way overdue.  Thankfully, the mother of the bride is pretty much saying to not rush it since she wants something really nice to have for a memento of her daughter’s wedding.  It took me awhile to do it since I am often not satisfied with the first or second drafts.  Also, I put it aside and come back to  it when  I’m all  refreshed.

This Filipino wedding was photograph sometime this year in Monterey, California.

I just want to add that Monterey is just a fabulous city  to not only have a place of venue to celebrate your anniversary or wedding but also to visit.

This will be a 12×12 luxury album that the mother wants to purchase for her daughter, for herself, and her family back home in the Philippines (3 total albums).  Please enjoy the slideshow.

San Jose Photographer – Wedding and Portraits

Benipayo Photography

San Jose  | Wedding | Photographer | San Francisco

Contact: Michael at michael@benipayo.com

(408) 717-3670 ********** (415) 763-7643

A traditional wedding held in the Philippines is a venue that we all take advantage of to pay the most influential people in our lives utmost respect and value. This custom, usually staged by beautiful flower arrangements, decadent food, and elegant clothing, makes it absurdly difficult for to-be-wed couples to limit their number of guests as they tend to give every single person they look up to a role in their weddings – the beginning of another chapter in their lives.

By standard, Christian weddings follow the following order: the processional, hymn, greeting or opening prayer, Old Testament reading, Psalm, New Testament reading, Gospel, homily, vows and ring ceremony, the kiss, nuptial blessing, sign of peace, communion, Lord’s Prayer, blessing and dismissal of congregation, and recessional. Five elements not written above make Christian weddings in the Philippines distinct: the presence of ninongs (Pilipino term for Godfather) and ninangs (Filipino term for Godmother), coin, candle, veil, and cord ceremonies.

The principal sponsors or the ninongs and ninangs as we call them here in the Philippines are more often than not the couple’s aunts, uncles, and close family friends. They are chosen carefully as these figures are also expected to guide the couple in their married life. To show the couple’s appreciation, they hand their ninangs tokens that go anywhere between flower brooches to semi-precious jewelry. Cufflinks and money clips are popular thank you gifts for ninongs in the Philippines.

The arrhae or coins represent both Christ and his apostles and the promise of the groom to take care of his wife materially. The Pilipino priest or minister gives the groom the blessed arrhae who in turn hands it to his bride. The bride receives it by putting her hand above the groom’s then hands the arrhae back to him. The groom thereafter hands the arrhae to an acolyte.

The candle sponsors light the two candles standing beside the groom and bride. These sponsors are usually the couple’s parents or very close friends. Lighting the candles symbolize God’s presence in the couple’s union. This rite takes place either before the ceremony or before the readings.

The veil sponsors approach the altar as soon as the priest rings the bell. Pinning the veil over the groom and bride’s shoulders symbolizes the groom’s promise to take care of his bride from their wedding day forward. A cord made out of satin rope, strung flowers, or linked coins put into a figure of eight and placed over the veil covering the couple symbolizes infinite unity. Until after the Communion or the Sign of Peace, the veil and cord encloses the couple.

Return to Daly City Photographer homepage

Benipayo Photography

San Jose  | Wedding | Photographer | San Francisco

Contact: Michael at michael@benipayo.com

(408) 717-3670 ********** (415) 763-7643

Written by Timothy Spencer for Island Rose -Florist Philippines

By standard, Christian weddings follow the following order: the processional, hymn, greeting or opening prayer, Old Testament reading, Psalm, New Testament reading, Gospel, homily, vows and ring ceremony, the kiss, nuptial blessing, sign of peace, communion, Lord’s Prayer, blessing and dismissal of congregation, and recessional. Five elements not written above make Christian weddings in the Philippines distinct: the presence of ninongs (Filipino term for Godfather) and ninangs (Filipino term for Godmother), coin, candle, veil, and cord ceremonies.

The principal sponsors or the ninongs and ninangs as we call them here in the Philippines are more often than not the couple’s aunts, uncles, and close family friends. They are chosen carefully as these figures are also expected to guide the couple in their married life. To show the couple’s appreciation, they hand their ninangs tokens that go anywhere between flower brooches to semi-precious jewelry. Cufflinks and money clips are popular thank you gifts for ninongs in the Philippines.

The arrhae or coins represent both Christ and his apostles and the promise of the groom to take care of his wife materially. The priest or minister gives the groom the blessed arrhae who in turn hands it to his bride. The bride receives it by putting her hand above the groom’s then hands the arrhae back to him. The groom thereafter hands the arrhae to an acolyte.

The candle sponsors light the two candles standing beside the groom and bride. These sponsors are usually the couple’s parents or very close friends. Lighting the candles symbolize God’s presence in the couple’s union. This rite takes place either before the ceremony or before the readings.

The veil sponsors approach the altar as soon as the priest rings the bell. Pinning the veil over the groom and bride’s shoulders symbolizes the groom’s promise to take care of his bride from their wedding day forward. A cord made out of satin rope, strung flowers, or linked coins put into a figure of eight and placed over the veil covering the couple symbolizes infinite unity. Until after the Communion or the Sign of Peace, the veil and cord encloses the couple.

Return to San Francisco Wedding  main page

Benipayo Photography

San Jose  | Wedding | Photographer | San Francisco

Contact: Michael at michael@benipayo.com

(408) 717-3670 ********** (415) 763-7643

Text by: Timothy Spencer (Florist in Philippines)

Going out with a Filipina is one of the greatest decisions you have ever made. Filipino (spelled Pilipino in the Phillipines which should be how it is spelled here in the US) women are known over the world for their sweetness, kindness and intelligence, not to mention their stunning beauty. Their long black hair, smooth tanned skin and and charming disposition never fail to capture the heart of western men.

Now if you are one of those very lucky men who are already going out with a fabulous Filipina, it is only natural that you will do whatever it takes to make her happy. Fortunately, you do not have to be filthy rich or insanely handsome to satisfy your Filipina girlfriend. Of course, a solid financial background and good looks can help you, but these are really not prerequisites are far as Filipinas are concerned. What you need to do is find out what Filipinas are in order for you to know how to get along with her splendidly.

First thing that you should know about Filipinas is that they are generally conscious about how they handle themselves. They have a thing about conduct. This is true especially if your Filipina girlfriend comes from the provinces. In rural areas such as small barrios and towns, everyone knows everyone. One sign of misconduct will spread like wildfire across the town.

This is why most Filipinas formally introduce their boyfriends, western or not, to their parents. For Filipinos, being introduced and getting to know one’s parents is a sign of seriousness of intent. The family plays a very important role in how a Filipina makes her decisions in life, and this includes her choice of men to go out or have a relationship with. More often than not, they will seek her family’s approval before committing to a relationship with a man.

Second, almost all Filipinas will play hard to get during the courtship stage. Their high regard for conduct is largely responsible for this. They consider it inappropriate if women will give in easily to the attentions given by men. This is also an effective way for a Filipina to determine the sincerity of her suitor. So do not be surprised if the Filipina date will act coy during the initial stages.

Third, Filipinas love being pampered and taken care of. Although a typical Pinay can support herself without help from a man, it does not mean that she will not appreciate the little things that a man can do for her. After all, she is still a woman. If you are going out or having a relationship with a Filipina, you have to make the effort of communicating with her constantly through phone or email. There is no excuse for lack of communication nowadays; technologies such as text messaging and web messengers enable people to talk to each other everyday, even though they are thousands of miles apart. Your Filipina girlfriend is very aware of this and expects nothing less from her man.

Lastly, Filipinas are serious about relationship. Unlike western women, Filipino women are not so keen on playing around or having casual relationships. Most Filipinas would rather wait for the right man to come along rather than have flings just to have somebody around. This means that if you want to pursue having a relationship with a Filipina, you must be serious about it and forget about the idea of scoring a casual thing.

San Jose Photographer – Wedding & Portrait

Benipayo Photography

San Jose  | Wedding | Photographer | San Francisco

Contact: Michael at michael@benipayo.com

(408) 717-3670 ********** (415) 763-7643

Supermodel: Karissa Anne

Make Up:  Wendy Hong Tran

It was a pleasure photographing Karissa in San Jose.  She is young, smart, and beautiful.  The location of the photoshoot was in San Jose.  The photos were just a sample of about 100 photos I have captured with my camera.  All photos were lighted with one studio light except when indicated.

karrisa

The photograph below and the next was lighted with a studio light to camera left and a 580 at the models 5 o’clock position to high light her hair.

Karrisa

Karrisa Anne

Michael Benipayo

Benipayo Photography

email: michael@benipayo.com

San Jose  | Wedding | Photographer | San Francisco

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It seems that many of the Filipino’s are finding me to be their wedding photographer.   Although, I provide services to everyone, I have had several clients who are mixed Filipino and did not know it.

I know for sure that my last name, BENIPAYO, is popular amongst the older Filipino folks.  My grandparents use to own a “printing press” in the good ol’ days printing books.  My father eventually got most of the itsy bitsy parts from the company when it went sour.  Google “Benipayo press” and you will get result of old books printed by my grandparents.  Another reason why my name is better known (I don’t want to write well known because it really is not well known but it is better known than some filipino last names) is that fact that an older relative (Alfredo) is an active politician back home.  Last but not least, M a r i n a  Benipayo (a cousin I never met) was a Binibining Pilipinas World in 1992 and eventually competed in Miss World pageant.  She’s  still busy modeling and a current super model back home in the Philippines.

I can only assume that my last name is a known Filipino (“Pilipino” for the hard core Pinoy) since there are definitely a line up of Filipino’s as clients who are hiring me or inquiring about my wedding photography or portrait photography services.

I am proud to serve the filipino (pilipino) community.

Portrait-Studio photographer

Michael Benipayo

Benipayo Photography

email: michael@benipayo.com

San Jose  | Wedding | Photographer | San Francisco

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The Engagement

After the couple has decided to marry, the first order of business is the pamanhikan, where the groom and his parents visit the bride’s family to ask for her hand in marriage. Wedding plans are often made at this time, including a discussion of the budget and guest list. Don’t be surprised if the groom-to-be is expected to run some errands or help out around the bride’s house. This tradition is called paninilbihan, where the suitor renders service to his future wife’s family to gain their approval.

The Wedding Outfits

The white wedding dress has become popular in the last hundred years or so with America’s influence in the Philippines. Before that, brides wore their best dress, in a festive color or even stylish black, to celebrate a wedding. Orange blossom bouquets and adornments were a must during the turn of the last century. For men, the barong tagalog is the traditional Filipino formal wear.

It is a cool, almost transparent, embroidered shirt, made from silky pina or jusi, two native ecru fabrics. It is worn untucked, over black pants, with a white t-shirt underneath. These days, a Filipino groom might wear the conventional black tux, but Pilipino male wedding guests will usually show up in their finest barongs.

The Ceremony

In pre-colonial days, a wedding ceremony lasted three days. On the first day, the bride and groom were brought to the house of a priest or babaylan, who joined their hands over a plate of raw rice and blessed the couple. On the third day, the priest pricked the chests of both bride and groom and drew a little blood. Joining their hands, they declared their love for each other three times. The priest then fed them cooked rice from the same plate and gave them a drink of some of their blood mixed with water. Binding their hands and necks with a cord, he declared them married. The majority of Filipino weddings are now Catholic weddings, but some native traditions remain. Most have special “sponsors” who act as witnesses to the marriage. The principal sponsors could be godparents, counselors, a favorite uncle and aunt, even a parent. Secondary sponsors handle special parts of the ceremony, such as the candle, cord and veil ceremonies. Candle sponsors light two candles, which the bride and groom use to light a single candle to symbolize the joining of the two families and to invoke the light of Christ in their married life. Veil sponsors place a white veil over the bride’s head and the groom’s shoulders, a symbol of two people clothed as one. Cord sponsors drape the yugal (a decorative silk cord) in a figure-eight shape–to symbolize everlasting fidelity–over the shoulders of the bride and groom. The groom gives the bride 13 coins, or arrhae, blessed by the priest, as a sign of his dedication to his wife’s well-being and the welfare of their future children.

The Food

The Pilipino wedding feast is elaborate. One feast celebrated at the turn of the last century involved these foods: First was served cold vermicelli soup. The soup was followed by meats of unlimited quantity–stewed goat, chicken minced with garlic, boiled ham, stuffed capon, roast pork and several kinds of fish. There were no salads, but plenty of relishes, including red peppers, olives, green mango pickles and crystallized fruits. For dessert, there were meringues, baked custard flan, coconut macaroons and sweetened seeds of the nipa plant.

Filipino Wedding Photographers home page

Michael Benipayo

Benipayo Photography

email: michael@benipayo.com

San Jose  | Wedding | Photographer | San Francisco

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by Rafi Michael