Raiden's Baptism - Supplier's Review

I did the preparation for 3 months. He was baptized a bit late compared to usual baptism age of a baby. My husband had an operation when Raiden was turning 3 months old, so we had to move our schedule of baptism until he recovers. 

I just realized preparing for 3-4 months before the event is a lot convenient. You will have an ample time to book or choose a supplier, just like what I did. Honestly, 3 months is quite not enough, I contacted some supplier and they are fully booked already. The good thing of preparing or coordinating with supplier at this early is you have a lot of choices and back ups whenever your choice of supplier is no longer available.

Here are the lists of our suppliers;


1. Church and Venue - Santuario de San Antonio Parish - 3 Stars
This isn't our first choice. We planned to have the baptism ceremony at St. Andrew the Apostle Church at Kalayaan Ave. But the problem is, we can’t find a venue nearest to that Church. We decided to scout another church and we finally chose Santuario de San Antonio Parish. They have function rooms within the compound. I called their reservation around July 2011; the earliest available was Oct 15, 2011, next is Oct 29, 2011. I booked Oct 29, 2011 for Santuario Function Hall Bay 3. They are quite expensive. You need to pay for their security deposit. We payed 16,850php for Venue and Church.

I give them 3 stars because we're not happy about the Air conditioning. Super init, though they have 3 huge standing aircon sa venue. Thermostat is already set to high but still didn't help. Maybe because the main entrance and veranda doors are open. We placed our buffet table at the veranda area to maximize the space for guest tables.

Church

Baptistery

Santuario Function Hall

Function Hall Bay 3

2. Catering - Kubiertos Catering - 4 stars
I have a lot of caterers in mind but Kubiertos was able to meet my requirements without paying too much. I had a lot of freebies with Ms. Imelda (owner of Kubiertos). She even took the initiative to design our venue. She is easy to deal with, we talk often via email. We had our free food tasting and it was yummy. What else did we have? hehe! She offered her 2 waiters to do the balloon decor for cheap amount we just provided the balloon materials. I exchanged her freebies to 20% food buffer. Everyone was happy about the taste. I've read from SP Forums about some negative feedback but she did great to my event.

Why 4 stars? I just had minimal flaws but it is workable. We had 5 main dishes, rice, mixed fresh fruits, unlimited iced tea and 1 round of soda, All for 23,300php. 100pax + 20% buffer.

Grilled Blue Marlin Ala Pobre

Hawaian Roastpork, Chicken Flambe
Beef with mushroom in white sauce,
Mixed vegetable with quail egg
Mixed fresh fruits

  
3. Dessert - Pretty Minis - 5 stars
This is owned by my officemate and they gave me reasonable package and very nice setup and service. It was a total boxed office line and I, myself didn't have a taste of it. :( I ordered about 45 mini loaves and sliced it by four, pero naubos parin. hehehe 

Flavors: Red Velvet, Choco Banana, Pistachio and Cappuccino. We spent 1950php. :)

Red Velvet

Choco Banana (buttom)

 4. Cake - SheryBerry Sweets - 5 stars
All I can say, I am happy that I came across to Shery's Facebook. First time I saw her creations, I said to myself, she will be my cake supplier period! hehe Yeah, visit her facebook and decide for yourself.

I found a design in google and sent to her and she was able to execute it. It is a two-layered fondant cake, 15 mini fondant cakes and my Husband's birthday cake for 6,850php including delivery charge.

Mini Fondant Cake for Ninong and Ninang

5. Souvenir - DIY - 5 stars
Ofcourse 5 stars! My husband and I made it with love. We only spent 1,600php for everything.
Bought the dodo canister in Choco Lover, the rest in Divisoria.

Towel Feeding Bottle

6. Candles - DIY - 5 stars 

Again, our very owned design. I bought the ribbon in SG when I had my training. I was looking for similar design in Divisoria but I can't find one. Good thing, I grabbed one from Singapore. :) I added crucifix to give high light of the ceremony. The booklet, you have to buy it in Santuario, they require it. Candle is 500php for 30 pcs.

7. Invitation - DIY - 5 stars
I am good in copying designs, LOL. So the invitation design is again from google and here's my version. I had it printed by my officemate who owned Sneakpic. The quality is fantastic. 25pcs for 300php. Cool :)

8. Photobooth - Sneakpic - 5 stars
Again this is owned by my office. Great package and discount. She also printed our banner. Our guests enjoyed the picture booth and I suggest you also grab your photobooth for this event as this also serves as your souvenir. 4,600php for photobooth and Banner. (the banner's design was made by me :P) 

Layout created by Sneakpic

9. Photographer - David Bernabe - 4 stars
He is Leny Crusado's husband. I found her in SP Forums aswell but she's pregnant and on her third trimester so she sent her husband to our event. But she did inform me when I inquired for her packages. David's work are okay, there are just some details that were not taken. Like the food, I can't show here the food variety we ordered. The buffet setup. I actually have split buffet so it's a long table with 12 dishes, but it was not taken. The candle and invitation was photographed by my husband because David didn't have it. But his effort is very much appreciated. His ideas for our portrait is fantastic. You might want to get him, he's 5,500php service and edit :)


10. Shoes, Christening Gown and Changing Clothes - 5 stars
I bought these items in different stores. The shoes from SM for 199php, Gown in Infanticipation, Festival Mall Alabang for 800php and Changing clothes from Debenhams Rustans for 1,799php

Christening Gown

Changing Clothes

Baptismal Shoes

11. Guestbook - Leeyah Designs - 5 stars
She's my colleague in college. Her works are amazing. I created my own version but I was not happy of my design, so I contacted her and boom here it is for only 380php (design only) I printed it myself. :) I just didn't have the per page images maybe next week, I'll have my husband take a picture of it. :)

Baptism Guestbook

12. Sound System - Bogie Sunglao - 5 stars
I should have rated 2 stars for Santuario venue. hahaha. They don't have speakers for rent but the speakers are installed everywhere. sigh! Anyway, Bogie was referred to me by Ms. Imelda. He is easy to speak with. I requested him to play infant music and he did it :) I just don't have his photo! Err David. Hehehehe LOL

13. Balloon Decor and Table Centerpiece - 5 stars
Balloon decors are my idea especially the table centerpiece. I bought the stuffed toy in Divisoria. Ms. Imelda's waiters inflated all the balloons, including the 2 pillars at the entrance, cake arch, table centerpiece and chandeliers. The stuffed toys disappeared right after the guests seated in their tables. Hahaha

I spent 5,000php for waiters fee, tip, balloon materials and stuffed toys.

They can be either bunny or bear.

The event was super fun and amazing. All the preparations and efforts are worth it. I am now preparing for my son's 1st birthday party! I will be getting some of these suppliers as they made me super successful.