True Blessing for Martin and Diwi

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

I got a frantic call from an old friend, Martin Marvin Macalintal. Said he was hurriedly organizing a wedding and needed me to photograph it. As his fiancé Diwi Valientes was already pregnant and was due a couple of weeks after wedding date, September 15, 2022. We were all but a week away, but he was someone I couldn’t say ‘no’ to.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Martin works as Cultural and Audio Visual Attaché of the French Embassy here in the Philippines. He’s been on that job longer than I’ve been writing about film which is (let’s just say) in the decades. He’s been there so long, his actual function is so much more than his title suggests.

Changing envoys rely on his network of government officials, captains of industry and yes, artists, musicians, filmmakers even media. Especially for film fests Cine Europa, Silent Film Festival and French Film festival, which is how I met him.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

I photographed the couple at the Manila Metropolitan Theater November 24, 2021, Silent Film Festival.

My reaction, I guess was similar to most people who knew him. I was bemused and genuinely happy as he is 53 summers young. His bride to be, considerably younger at 36. I just turned 50 myself this year. I was kidding that Diwi’s pregnancy was even a sign of his virility. Everyone in Martin’s family and friends saw the wedding as a true blessing for the committed bachelor.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Diwi Valientes is not only beauty but brains. She happens to be the Brand Manager for Spanish retail giant ZARA. Before that she was in the Marketing division of Unilever PH.

She was the one who reminded me that we met in Shang Rila Plaza. That was during the Japanese Film Fest, before the pandemic. But I had only really spent time with the couple in the newly opened Metropolitan Theater. Which was the venue for the Silent film festival late 2021.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

I photographed Diwi Valientes at the Manila Metropolitan Theater November 24, 2021, Silent Film Festival.

The two also met that way, during film fests several years ago. After seeing her in one event, Martin asked Malu Francisco if she could ‘invite’ Diwi to more fests. Malu is the Marketing and Communications Manager of SSI Group Inc.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

SSI Group Mktg and Communications Manager Malu Francisco was matchmaker of the couple and ninang. Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Who knew Malu would help match the two, with Diwi marching in a resplendent Jojie Lloren gown? Which was designed and finished in record time as well.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

That was how the couple got to know each other. Diwi was wondering why she had to go to the French Film fest when her brand was Spanish. Martin asked her out and dated more than a few times. The romance didn’t immediately bloom as they drifted apart after the early dating period. Work demands may have also pulled both of them away.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

FB has a way of rekindling romance. They hadn’t seen each other in a while. And Diwi commented on one of Martin’s post which intrigued him. So he chatted her up. During the pandemic, they got to know each other even more online.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

They began to rely on each other for emotional support. Martin related, “There’s an intimacy and closeness I’ve never had before with anyone else. Maalaga siya, I’ve never experienced that with anyone else.”

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

The pregnancy, accelerated the couple’s plans. It was Martin’s insistence that they get married before their child’s birth. All he wanted was the simplest possible church wedding in the parish he was named after St Martin De Porres.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

But when word got out he was getting married the whole village (where he grew up) in United Paranaque was abuzz. Martin realized he had to invite his father’s closest friends as well.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

His dad Atty. Apolinario Macalintal passed away 2020. Martin lost his mom Dolores in the 90s due to Diabetes complications. Aunt Marina Magnaye, cared for Martin became a second mother. Their photos, were displayed near the altar during the ceremony.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

From right: Atty. Apolinario Macalintal, Dolores Macalintal and Aunt Marina Magnaye. Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Diwi’s mother Benilda Valientes, was in attendance along with aunt Agnetha Valientes and Mario Estan. Diwi’s father Cesar is undergoing chemotherapy.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

There was also an advantage in holding the wedding in United Paranaque as there were volunteers who helped during the wedding. Childhood friend and neighbor Elvira Lorenzo became wedding coordinator. Her home also became a base for the couple as Martin moved out the village years ago. Flowers and plants from Elvira’s garden also decorated the church.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Bride Diwi Valientes with Elvira Lorenzo who became coordinator and church decorator as well.

Martin for years regularly volunteered as keyboardist in the parish. So the choir was more than happy to sing during the ceremony. Complete with violinist Denise Santos Huang and vocalist Miguel Doria.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Violinist Denise Santos Huang; Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Ambassador Michéle Boccoz became a ninang to the couple. And whispered words of encouragement with a warm hug. Sponsors include: Atty. Efren Gutierrez, SSI Mktg Communications Mgr. Malu Francisco and Dr. Nazario A. Macalintal, Jr.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

H.E. Ambassador Michèle Boccoz congratulates Martin– Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

You could feel the love in the music that day. Saxophonist Mike Guevara, performed when the couple marched out the church. Guevara performed for France entry during two Silent Film festivals.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Saxophonist Mike Guevara; Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Outside the church grounds, there was festive mood. Lively accordion music greeted the couple and their guests. The accordionist is Eric Soulard, a French actor, composer, musician (also plays the bass and piano) who owns Coco Cabana Resort in Agpanabat, Romblon. It took Soulard 48 hours to get to the venue via ferry ride and cab. This was after Martin notified him of the wedding.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Left: Accordionist Eric Soulard, a French musician who owns Coco Cabana Resort in Romblon. Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Then there was the authentic French Crepes served by Chef Didier Derouet and wife Myrna. Martin paid for the ingredients but cooking and serving the delicious pâtisserie was a labor of love. Downed with sparkling wine Martin had bought days before.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

French Crepes served by Chef Didier Derouet. Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, Palms Country Club, Alabang. Photo by Jude Bautista

Ninong Atty. Efren Gutierrez, sponsored an additional brunch / reception to an even smaller group of guests in the Palms Country Club.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Everyone had a wonderful time. It wasn’t the most lavish or choreographed wedding. But you could hear the love in the music, taste it in the food and see it in all the guests’ faces, how happy they all were.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Martin confessed it was a very emotional day for him shedding tears of joy several times. Martin Macalintal and Diwi Valientes Nuptials, September 15, 2022, St. Martin De Porres Parish, United Parañaque. Photo by Jude Bautista

Martin and Diwi are a blessing to each other, blessed yet again with their child. That’s what made the wedding a joyous occasion.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Pierre Alexandre Emmanuel, was born to the newlyweds 9 days after the wedding, September 24, 2022. (29)

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

Trending Articles