From netizens bullying them to big names from different industries pledging to be part of their wedding, “kakampink” couple Ariean Cristobal and Emanuelle Cruz De Guzman have received an overwhelming surge of generosity from fellow Vice President Leni Robredo supporters.
After the May 9 elections, this couple has quickly become a target of mockery for their viral Facebook photo taken during VP Robredo’s election campaign in Pasig City last March 20 with a placard, “Ikakasal kami na si LENI ang PRESIDENTE (Leni is the president by the time we get married.)”
Some teased that the wedding should be called off and might as well end their relationship since their bet only landed in the second spot after Ferdinand "Bong bong" Marcos Jr. based on the partial and unofficial presidential race tally.
But a fellow “kakampink” came to the rescue as a top-rated fashion designer, Gladi Echavarre, surprised them on her FB post saying that she's willing to make the bride's wedding gown for free.
Some of Echavarre's previous clients were beauty queens Pia Wurtzbach, Maureen Wroblewitz, and Rabiya Mateo.
"This lovely couple has been bashed and became the poor subject of ridicule. Let's turn our loss & grief into something beautiful to our fellow kakampink,” Echavarre said.
Her offer has ignited a ton of pledges from other ‘kakampinks’ such as Ryuji Shiomitsu from Mega Magazine for pre-nuptial photo-shoot styling, Vania Romoff for entourages’ dresses, Michael Yu Full for a Bohol honeymoon courtesy of Blue Grass Project, Ocean Suites and Bohol Bee Farm Resort, Christopher E. Munar for earnings, Johnoy Danao and Pepe Herrera as wedding singers, and a lot more.
“Allow me to send a gift,” Divine Lee, a celebrity model, commented on Echavarre’s post.
“Ako na bahala sa Hair & Makeup! (I’ll be in charge of the hair and makeup),” added Makeup by Roldan Sevilla, who made it to the top 20 Wedding Makeup Artists in the Philippines.
“Hi Guys I'm Ian Cruz of IAN CRUZ FILMS and Bakuran Balai sa Antipolo baka wala pa sila videographer or Preparation location Antipolo, Rizal super willing ako magbigay din ng free service or free wedding Preparation sa Bakuran (Hi guys I'm Ian Cruz of IAN CRUZ FILMS and Bakuran Balai in Antipolo, just wondering if they don’t have a videographer or preparation location yet. I’m willing to give free service or a free wedding preparation location in Bakuran located at Antipolo, Rizal),” offered Ian Cruz, a wedding film maker.
#EngagedCouplesForLeni
Meanwhile, the bride also expressed her deep appreciation on her FB account and said that they have already communicated with dozens of suppliers through their wedding coordinator, Lia Del Castillo.
"I still cannot believe what happened in the last 24 hours. It's been surreal. People who we did not even imagine can be part of this wedding have reached out and expressed their support and love,” Cristobal said.
Castillo clarified that the wedding suppliers were already almost complete beforehand and the viral photo wasn’t meant to purposely gain attention and free offers.
“We already have agreed that the wedding we want is already going to happen with the suppliers we are currently in communication with. With that said we will politely and respectfully decline any more pledges,” the bride announced.
She encouraged those who still plan on pledging to pass it along with other #EngagedCouplesForLeni.
“Higit pa sa aming kasal, ito ay paalala sa bawat Pilipino na hanggang may handang tumindig, may susuporta sa iyong likuran (More than just our wedding, this is a reminder to every Filipino that as long as there’s someone willing to stand up, support will always be behind your back),” she added. (Luisa Cabato)