In the pursuit of exchanging vows in a dream setting, couples often find themselves drawn to the enchanting destinations the Philippines has to offer.
With thousands of islands like Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, and Siargao, beach weddings are a popular choice. For those seeking a cooler, more tranquil atmosphere, Baguio offers a wonderful alternative.
However, the distance of these venues often prompts couples to look for picturesque settings nearer to Manila, making Tagaytay a favored option.
Amidst these cherished locations, Joy Madriaga, founder of Madriaga's Catering, is passionate about making Antipolo a standout destination for weddings.
On October 26th and 27th, 2024, Joy and her daughter, Bianca Madriaga, launched the inaugural Antipolo Wedding Library held at the Marikina Hotel and Convention Center.
PEP.ph attended the closing day of the Antipolo Wedding Library, which delivered the delightful feel of a wedding museum as it promised.
Joy explained that the concept was her daughter’s brainchild, aimed at resonating with millennial couples and capturing the interest of younger audiences.
She elaborated on their wedding fair theme, saying, "Kasi parang bridal fairs nowadays, parang pare-parehas, e, di ba? Since my daughter is a millennial, gusto niya, ibang-iba naman daw.
"Parang boring na, di ba? Yung parang booths with artificial flowers.
Kailangan, iba naman yung vibe. Kaya ganon.
"Tapos, 'Mom,' sabi niyang ganon, 'Ang mga ikinakasal, puro millennials my age.'
"Sabi niya, 'So dapat kami nasusunod ng millennials, kung anong mga gusto namin, nakaka-attract,' ganon."
ANTIPOLO WEDDING MUSEUM: COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
Joy enlisted over 80 event and wedding suppliers for their fair, including everything from takoyaki booths to drinks and coffee stations, as well as wedding venues.
In addition, she invited three fashion designers to showcase their creations, providing a comprehensive experience for couples.
Showcasing their designs were Antipolo's own Rica Siena, Makati-based fashion designer Jez Amorado, and renowned fashion designer Albert Andrada.
In an interview with PEP.ph, Jez shared that her mentor, Albert, invited her to participate in the show, to which she immediately agreed.
She recalled, "Sir Albert called, 'Would you like to do a show with me?' Originally, I was supposed to show yata yesterday.
"But then I said, I have the show on the 26th... So sabi niya, 'Sige sa 27, sabay na tayo.' Sabi ko, 'Okay...'
"Kaka tamang-tama yung timing. Kasi I'm making a new bridal collection naman. So yun na rin yung i-showcase natin dito sa Marikina today."
Jez was grateful for the opportunity to showcase her work and introduce herself to a new market.
"I think it's a good opportunity. I'm not a person kasi to say no to opportunities talaga if I think it's a good fit for the brand.
"So joining events such as this allows my brand to reach a different set of potential clients as well...
"You'll never know kasi if your market is suddenly pala lurking in the corners of such events or they're really the ones visiting malls and stuff like that to see your pieces.
"So ako naman talaga, it's something na good way. I see it as something as a good way to really connect din with the community, to get recognition din.
"And parang connections na rin with other people in the bridal industry or in the design industry na din."
JOY MADRIAGA: ANTIPOLO IS nEXT TOP WEDDING DESTINATION
Joy has accomplished a great deal with her catering business, Madriaga's Catering, which stands as one of the leading food suppliers in Antipolo and nearby areas, managing up to 15 events per day.
Joy reflects on her business's humble beginnings, having started as a simple home cook, and she is now celebrating their 15th year in the industry.
She said, "Cooking is my passion. Kaya doon kami nag-start ng family ko.
"I started cooking for my family. Until then, naging kilala na ako, yung mga classmates sa schools of my mga children, kids... nagpapa-cater sila.
"And then, pag family days, ako nagki-cater. Yun. Hanggang sa nakilala, nakikilala Madriaga."
Joy continued, "When my eldest daughter graduated from college, tumulong siya as marketing director.
"So doon nag-start. Magandang marketing strategy. And then from one wedding, two weddings, three weddings, now we can cater up to 15 weddings maximum. Pero all in Antipolo and Rizal area lang."
Despite this success, she founded the wedding museum not just to attract clients for her business but also to help fellow event suppliers in Antipolo secure bookings.
She told PEP.ph, "Bridal shows, bridal fairs, one way of gaining clients. Yun ang way ng caterers and all the wedding suppliers, they join bridal fares to book clients.
"Parang aim din nitong bridal fair namin is to bring Antipolo closer to the clients... Most of our suppliers and exhibitors are from Antipolo, yun naman ang aim namin.
Kaya ito tuwang tuta ang government ng Antipolo."
And Joy's grand vision is to make Antipolo a premier wedding destination.
She added, "Since we are based in Antipolo, andoon lahat yung friends namin and suppliers.
"So talagang inaano namin na dapat Antipolo is the next wedding destination. Yun."
Joy also takes pride in Antipolo's incredible churches and other wedding venues, and she hopes more people will discover and appreciate them.
"Andami magagandang churches sa Antipolo. Yun sa One More Chance ng Popoy and Basha, doon nangyari... Yun sumikat yung Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
"Yun San Pedro Calungsod Parish Church, yung ganoon. Maraming beautiful churches and beautiful venues."
Will there be a part two of this wedding museum?
Joy said, "Parang gusto nga namin mag-part 2... Still planning pa rin. Para hindi naman masayang [yung materials], lahat na nagastos sana.
"Pero dapat mga once, twice or thrice a year lang. Para hindi rin magsawa mga tao."
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