Petals on the Putting Green: Neil Castillo Proposed to Finina Tugade at the Final Hole of a Golf Course

Neil Castillo and Finina Tugade met at a friend’s birthday party. As Finina tells it, “It was definitely the most cliché type of meeting. He smiled, I smiled, then it was game over.” It took awhile before they went on their first date together, as Finina was busy with work. He eventually invited her to a driving range. The date went from golf, to dinner, to drinks. “The rest is history,” she says.

Since golf played a big part of their first date, it was also part of Neil’s proposal. It was a normal golf day. At the last hole, Finina realized there were petals on the putting green. After her putt landed near the hole, she noticed a red box inside the hole. “It was the hardest putt I ever had to make, and even if it was only a ruler’s length away, I totally missed,” she says, laughing at the memory. She picked up the box and opened it. It was empty. Right behind her was Neil on one knee, holding up the ring. She said yes, and they were bathed in a spray of champagne from their friends. For Finina, “It was like winning the masters, even if I missed my final putt!”

The wedding was at St. Catherine of Alexandria, followed by a reception at the Montemar Beach Club in Bagaac, Bataan. On their wedding day, a tent was set up on the beach. “The weather app said there would be light drizzles,” says Finina, “but we took our chances anyway.” The reception started with cocktails, then the release of baby pawikans out to sea. Then it rained.

Neil and Finina received their first advice as a married coupled from Finina’s dad, “Sometimes, you just have to do something crazy once in a while—as long as you don’t hurt anyone.” Thus, they decided to continue their reception in the rain. It turned out to be a night of fireworks, dancing and singing in the rain. “It was one of the most memorable weekends I’ve ever had,” says Finina.

Edwin Dazo, Enti Consuello, Paolo del Rosario, Jon Naval, Joseph Juico, Lester Castillo, the groom, VJ Vergel de Dios, Jay Tengco, Mike Andan, Boompy Martel, Brian Fletcher, Jaycee Dee

Rodrigo Bitong, Lance de Leon, Bruce Wee, Claudia Calma, Adam Dawlbair, Jonathan Sison, Blake Hlatky

Jed Dario, Marty Enrile, Raymond Rodrigo, Farry Ocampo, Raj Moreno, Frano Limjuco, Ryan Chan, RJ Maclang

The married couple share a moment by the beach

Fireworks to celebrate life as a wedded couple

Ogie Alcasid regaled the couple under the rain

Their love of nature inspired them to release pawikans to the sea as part of their wedding activities

Ina Vergel de Dios, Angela Dinglasan, Bea Aquino, Isabelle Naval, the Bride, Jackie Vargas, Isadora Roche, Cristal Bagatsing

Kaye, Powie, Annika and Paolo Tugade, Sec. Art Tugade, the Bride, Marisol Tugade, Barrie Hlatky, Rinka Tugade, Bruce and Blake Hlatky, Charies, Ajna and Jay-Art Tugade

Roxanne and Sonia Castillo, the Bride, the Groom. Wilfredo and Lester Castillo

Photography by Jeff and Lisa Photography

Makeup: Yciar Castillo

Hair: Ron

Gown: TC Alvarez

Shoes: Lila Almario

Bridesmaid gowns: Fizz Fashion

Cake: Illustrado

Menu: Station set up by Ilustrado

Dinner:

CHARCUTERIE AND CHEESE STATION

Iberico Ham, Cheeses, Honey, Jam, Fruits

SOUP & SALAD BAR

Forest Mushrooms Cream Soup with Truffle Essence, Clear Mushroom Soup

GRILL & CARVING STATION

Mixed Meat Skewers (Chicken / Norwegian Salmon & Barramundi), Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Cob Corn,

Native Roasted Pig, Roast U.S. Prime Rib

PAELLA & PASTA TABLE

Paella Ilustrado (Meats and Seafood), Moringga Pesto Linguine with Roasted Walnuts and Sun-dried Tomatoes

DESSERT BAR

Fresh Cut Fruits, Banana Chocolate Chip Slices with Maple Butter Frosting, Dalandan Cream Pie, Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes, Sans Rival Squares, Buco Pandan Jelly Shots, Smore’s Bar

Giveaways: Welcome Bag, Zenutrients Organic Goodies

Wedding Video: Cinemaworks

Hosts: Maxine Eigenman and Tracy Abad

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