Letters from the Newlyweds, Kris and Svienna Wildoer

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

Dear family and friends:

Much gratitude and heartfelt thanks fill our hearts as we see all these pictures of our union. Be it the first Catholic ceremony in Chicago blessed by Father Carlos Llagas, the civil matrimony in Los Angeles performed by Judge Ana, or our special event at Riviera Maya, Mexico officiated by friend and Pastor Dan Roldan, these pictures say it all. It would not have been as special or memorable without all of you in it. We look forward to seeing everyone along the way as we move forward as Man and Wife, knowing that family and friendships will make the journey meaningful, exciting, and that when the bumps appear on the roads we will be travelling together, you will all be there to give us the guidance, inspiration, and even comedic relief that we may need as we get ready to face our future as husband and wife.

Our thanks to our parents, Wolfgang and Maria Girlie Pascual- Wildoer, Frank Sisaleum, and mom Davone who we know is watching us from heaven. We begin by thanking our guests who made the trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico. Our hearts go out to our Manila Uncles and Aunts, cousins and friends, Docboy Arsenio Tristan Pascual 111 with Kenneth and Annika, Uncle Aa and Tita Lyn Pascual with Archer, Angel and Aysia. We enjoyed the company of our Chicago Uncles and Aunts and cousins Arsenio Brent Pascual V and Tita Dodjie, Miki and Mika, Uncle Arsenio Bently Pascual VI, Tita Pie and Sabrina, great friends Tita Ces and Anthony Caguiat with Tita Grace Dysico, Tita Carla Soria and Tita Rowena Esquivel, Scott and Tammy Kline, Manang Judy Ponte, Mike and Brayden Ponte. Also Svienna’s Elgin family with sister Malysa and her son Artreyu, her uncle Paul Chareun and his wife Thommala and Cathy. From Los Angeles, it would not have been a party without our Ninong Sonny Madera, our cousins Carla Lorenzo with Andy Wang, Reyda Roxas, our good friends Jennifer Andrada and from San Diego, Charlie Vilaro

At our civil union in Los Angeles, Tita Pet Roxas with her son Reymund were witnesses and guests at our union, and although Uncle Rey passed away a month before our wedding, we know that he, too was celebrating in heaven for us. We miss him but remember him and his guidance. Ninong Kim Lorenzo, thank you for joining us in Los Angeles.

Special thanks go out to Father Carlos Llagas who officiated our Chicago Catholic ceremony in front of close friends and our Chicago family, and we would like to extend that gratitude to our Ninong and Ninang Don and Flor Kramer, who with my our mom, hosted this memorable occasion. We also send our love to all our Chicago Ninongs and Ninangs Dr. Angelito and Elvie Fernandez, Gil and Alice Sarmiento, Dan Gawat and Thom Bierbrodt, Dino and Melody Rabor-Dizon, Ed and Lolit Ranchero, Clive Merrill and Annie Sabadaszka, Bernard and Au Pragides, Elbert and Elizabeth Cambay-Regacho, Joe and Mabel Turtogo-Sacay, Joe Mauricio and the person who put us on the cover, Ninang Veronica Leighton. This ceremony was also witnessed by our good friends and their parents, Mike and Yvonne Cuenca with Tito Julio and Tita Annabelle Cuenca, Julie Cuenca and her fiancée Mike, Jay and Mae Mendoza with Manang Judy Ponte along with Tito Andy and Vel Mendoza, the AAGI golfers with Gerry and Nanie Liwanag, Rowel and Cris Plata, Robert and Tess Delacruz, PGC founder Tito Bert and Vicky Roman, Golfinos’ Doy and Carmen Nucum, good friends Tito Rudy and Carmen Oca-Garcia, Tito Ruben and Merle Salazar, Tita Janet Guinsatao and Tita Neneth Miranda. Robert Chavez, my mom’s stylist made the columns for our wedding at the Tuscany Restaurant in Wheeling and it was truly a work of art, while our cousin Sabrina Pascual created our favorite Rice Krispy wedding cake with a Lego Bride and Groom topping that we used again in Mexico. James Delacruz with the “Mahals” Baron and Lou Cabalona provided the music and kept the party going. Uncle Brent, Tita Dodjie, Miki and Mika, Uncle Bently and Tita Pie, Sabrina, you are always there for us, and that means the world to us.

The Sisaleum family had a great time along with Svienna’s Dad Frank Sisaleum, sisters Malysa with her son Artreyu, sister Tanya with her daughter Sophie, Aunties Saengzilay Thammavongsa and Nang Somsamouth, Uncle Paul Chareun and wife Thommala. This was the moment when all the families from both sides came together as we did, as one.

At the Generations Resort in Mexico, the family and friends who were part of our entourage helped to make sure everyone had a great time, assisted us behind the scenes to make our wedding week the best! And to document that we did, our photographer friend Christopher Kim was tasked in making sure all these moments were captured by his magical lens.

Svienna’s Maids of Honor were Malysa Sisaleum and Maria Lisa Bejar with Bridesmaids Pearl Park, Aisha Meyers, Aloon Thammavongsa,, Jennifer Pham, Noy Xeunxom, Stepahnie Joyce Guinto, Jacqueline Luangkoth, and Brides- Man Alexander Ou.

The Best Men were Danny Traimas and Phillip Roldan, and my Groomsmen included AJ Barlan Jr., Mark John Calayag, Kharamsa KC Chau, Michael John Cuenca, Zubair Hussain, Andrew Jay Mendoza, Arsenio Miki Pascual, Neil Oliver Roldan and Little Nino Noriega

Thank you to Flower Girl Avery Mendoza with Ring Bearers Artreyu Sisaleum and Christian Calayag. Kudos to our friend and Pastor, Daniel B. Roldan, who made our vows more meaningful.

Special thanks to the spouses and partners that attended: Yvonne Wong-Cuenca and Mae Ponte-Mendoza, Kainoi Saengdara

Finally, to quote an anonymous author “Friendship isn’t about who you have known the longest, but is all about those who walked into your life and said I am here for you, and proved it”. With that, we end by thanking God in heaven, our parents, family and friends who were part of this journey from the start until this new beginning, our lives together as husband and wife.

The Newlyweds,

Kris and Svienna Wildoer

The parents Girlie and Wolfgang with Kristoffer

The Bride and Groom with Ninong Sonny Madera, Ninong Ed and Lolit Ranchero and Ninang Melody Dizon

The traditional Catholic ceremony of Kristoffer and Svienna July 23, 2017

Father Carlos Llagas Officiates the Wildoer Sisaleum Wedding in Chicago

Toto’s extended family with Ninongs and Ninangs Joe and Veronica, Dan Gawat and Thom Bierbrodt, Don & Flor Kramer with sister Nina Castaneda

Chicago Wedding July 23, 2017 (L-R) Ninong Gil & Alice Sarmiento, Ninong Dr Lito & Elvie Fernandez, Guests Carmen & Doy Nucum, Ninong Ed & Lolit Ranchero

Chicago Weddimg July 23, 2017 with Ninang Annie & daughter Nicole Sabadaszka, Ninong Bernard & Au Pragides, AAGI friends Rowel & Cris Plata with Ninong Gil Sarmiento and seated in front are Rudy and Carmen Garcia

The Friends’ table of Kris & Svienna with Mike & Yvonne Cuenca, Jay, Mae & Avery Mendoza, Manang Judy Ponte with Andres and Vel Mendoza