Christian Tantoco & Siobhan Moylan: When a wedding becomes a showcase of modern Filipino heritage
Weddings can be a reflection of the betrothed’s unfolding story, or an expression of what the couple holds dear. In this instance, it was the Filipino heritage of groom Christian Tantoco and Irish-Filipino bride Siobhan Moylan, which took the spotlight. So when Christian married Siobhan, it wasn’t just a wedding, it was a showcase of Filipiniana—make that modern Filipiniana.
As beautiful bride Siobhan walked down the aisle, she looked stunning in her Carl Jan Cruz deconstructed Filipiniana-inspired gown while handsome Christian looked so happy in his modern-day re-imagined barong, also by the same designer. The groom and bride’s parents—Rustan’s chairman Donnie Tantoco and lovely wife Crickette; Kevin and Judee Moylan—looked chic and fashionable in their Filipino attire. Also, in keeping with the theme, the entourage all wore designs by local designers, from Joan Bitagcol to Dennis Lustico and Joey Samson, exhibiting unique Filipino creations which were formal, but with a twist. It was culture made couture.
After the “I do’s,” we headed to Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary, nestled within the serene Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate. The entire setup was orchestrated with meticulous flair and effortlessly elevated by Crickette herself. Cocktails were served amid nature, a view of a lake, and the sunset, with cozy lounges scattered about. An impressive tree was dressed up as an art installation by artist Akong Gugma.
The mood was complemented by music from Hideki Zito and Judd Figuerras, who also deejayed at the after party. Dinner moved indoors into a candle-lit setting with soft lighting and blooms everywhere. Very romantic! All floral setups were inspired by the Philippine sampaguita garland and palay, punctuated by seasonal blooms. Elegant Filipino cuisine and drinks were abundant, from the creative cocktails to the delicious sit-down dinner. A palamig station with coconut, mango shaved ice, and halo-halo was a whimsical but great addition.
Then came the program, and with it, laughter. Videos played featured the couple’s journey, moments with friends, goofy behind-the-scenes clips.
The speeches by Christian’s groomsman Mito Fabie and Siobhan’s BFF and man of honor Paolo Vera were both funny and touching. The video of twin sisters Camille Tantoco Ng and Nicole Tantoco de los Reyes was both candid and charming. But the speech that almost brought tears to my eyes (and I’m sure to other guests) was from the father of the groom Donnie. When he shared that Christian had asked him to be his best man, it was a soul-hitting moment.
In subtly keeping with the Filipiniana motif and creating a romantic but fun atmosphere, pianist RJ Pineda and singer Jason Dahkal (who aptly performed Hotdog band’s iconic song Manila) provided their own musical magic. The program finale was worth waiting for—an epic dance video of Donnie that spanned musical generations—from Elvis swivels to full-throttle Michael Jackson moves. Donnie is, in a word, a rock star. This kicked off the after party at nearby Rico’s with a club atmosphere complete with DJs and nonstop dancing until dawn.
For Christian and Siobhan, this evening marked a milestone in their lives which is deeply personal—their union witnessed by those near and dear to them. It was a joyous and special celebration honoring their love and, of course, their Filipino heritage.
