As one of the bridesmaids, standing beside my dear friend Alyana “Yana” Asistio on her wedding day is a moment I will always treasure. I’ve known Yana since 2015, and her family has always felt like home to me. With my father, Dioceldo Sy, serving as one of the godparents to “the Havs,” the occasion felt like a celebration not only of love, but also of family, faith, and God’s perfect timing.

Yana and Raymond “Bryan” Mendoza’s wedding was called “The Havs,” the term of endearment they created for each other. Instead of the usual “babe” or “love,” Bryan coined “Hav” from the Hebrew word Ahava, meaning a continuous choice to love and give love. For the couple, “Havs” reflects love, peace, and home.

Their official wedding day was Nov. 29, 2025—where they married not once, but twice, in two heartfelt ceremonies. But the celebration began long before that.

Most guests arrived in Dumaguete on Nov, 28, 2025, where Yana and Bryan showed the purest illustration of who they are: thoughtful, intentional, and grounded in family.

They personally welcomed guests at the airport with placards in hand, greeting everyone at the arrival gate and even opening and closing shuttle doors. When we arrived at our hotels, they were waiting to welcome us yet again—beating every arrival vehicle to make sure no guest checked in alone.

Accommodations were arranged at UNWND Hotel, Hotel Dumaguete, and Sierra Hotel, for guests flying in from Manila and abroad. Upon check-in, we received a curated welcome kit that immediately felt like home. There was a handwritten note of thanks, a custom “The Havs” shirt and tote bag, sans rival silvanas, Hello Glow sunscreen, and Ever Organics soothing gel—a sweet and meaningful touch for the Dumaguete climate.

That evening, the couple hosted an all-white sunset welcome party at Kawa Bistro Filipino, setting the tone for a celebration rooted in purity and intention.

The program began after dinner with a message from Rene Mendoza, father of the groom, who introduced each godparent and emphasized their role as second parents and life mentors chosen personally by the couple. Among the godparents were respected leaders and family friends, including Dr. Hayden Kho, Annette Gozon, Nice Print’s Charisse Tinio, Anna Mendoza, AIM’s Richard Cruz, Teodoro Villanueva, Luis Garcia, Charles Lim, Remedios Concepcion, Maria Loisa Jose, and Ever Bilena president and CEO, Dioceldo Sy, alongside showbiz personalities Jay Adevoso, Lotlot de Leon, and Maritoni Fernandez.

Nadia Montenegro, the mother of the bride, delivered an emotional message reflecting the bittersweet beauty of seeing her children grow and create their own families. She thanked Bryan “for keeping my daughter pure,” honoring the couple’s shared commitment to wait until marriage.

Bryan ended the night by saying, “Yes, the wedding is about the couple, but we wanted to make this weekend as special for all of you because we believe we are a byproduct of everyone in this room.”

The location itself was deeply meaningful — Dumaguete is the hometown of Yana’s maternal grandmother, “Mamita” Linda Montenegro, who long dreamed of seeing at least one grandchild marry in their ancestral home city.

The first ceremony was held on Nov. 29, 2025, at 1 p.m., at Mary Immaculate Parish on San Jose Street.

Yana arrived in a timeless long-sleeved satin gown with a full pleated skirt and a delicate lace veil, radiating classic elegance. The groom wore a modern barong Tagalog by The Fine Gentleman.

This church wedding was very special. Attendees looked forward to witnessing a moment many have waited for: Yana and Bryan’s first kiss ever.

The church erupted in cheers when Bryan playfully pulled out a mouth spray before leaning in. The newlyweds giggled, did their signature handshake, kissed again on request, and the crowd celebrated like family.

At sunset, we traveled to The Glass Pavilion at The Barn at Mango Ranch in Valencia, a breathtaking glasshouse surrounded by greenery and a gentle riverside view. Guests were welcomed with jamón serrano, budbud kabog, cassava cake, maruya, and tablea- and vanilla-flavored gelato.

Yana walked the aisle once more, radiant in a sparkling beaded white tube gown. Bryan changed from his barong into a white and black suit, yet another bespoke creation from The Fine Gentleman.

The vows were the highlight of the night. They were raw, deeply personal, and rooted in faith.

Bryan delivered his vow without notes or a phone, speaking straight from his heart. He shared about his past and how he once never believed he would get married. But everything changed when he encountered God.

He said that when he met the Lord, he found clarity and prayed for a woman he could commit to. God responded by giving him someone even greater, the only woman he has ever loved, and someone he “didn’t know how to pray for.” That’s Yana for Bryan.

Bryan expressed his awe at God’s plan for them, saying that God timed everything perfectly, including meeting Yana in a season of his life when he knew how to love Yana the way she deserved. “Para pagdating mo sa buhay ko, kaya na kitang mahalin (When you enter my life, I’ll be capable of loving you fully).”

“You’re the only woman who made me voluntarily sign a contract to a lifetime membership to the ‘happy wife, happy life’ club,” Bryan quipped with charming humor, drawing laughter from their guests while revealing just how wholeheartedly he commits to Yana every day, for life.

Yana pulled out her phone and shared that she had started writing her vow a few days after they got engaged, updating it whenever something happened in their relationship. She shared how, from the very beginning, she laid her heart bare to Bryan: her past wounds, her faith, and her conviction to wait. Instead of turning away, Bryan surprisingly disclosed he carried the same sentiments and values.

Until that moment, Yana had not shed a single tear throughout the entire day—she confided that it’s because she had longed for this day so much, and was extremely happy to finally go to sleep and wake up next to Bryan every single day from this day onwards and for the rest of her life!

But when she spoke about her father, Macario “Boy” Asistio, who passed away in 2017, her voice broke and tears finally fell. A true daddy’s girl and her father’s best friend, she shared that he always wanted only the best for her. She expressed the deep peace she felt standing there, marrying Bryan in front of everyone she loves, because she knows her dad is watching proudly from heaven. She knows her dad’s heart, and truly, he would not want anyone but Bryan to be the man she spends forever with.

As a final gift, Yana’s sisters Alyssa Asistio-London, Alynna Asistio-Carbonell, and Anykka Asistio surprised the couple with a touching tribute video, celebrating their childhood memories, family history, and love story. Then Yana surprised Bryan with a performance from Jay Durias of South Border, who sang their theme song “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

Standing beside Yana as she married the man God prepared for her moved me in a way I will never forget. The Havs’ weekend wedding celebration is a beautiful testament to prayers answered, promises fulfilled, and a commitment that honors God above all.

To the Havs, Yana and Bryan: Congratulations. May your lifetime be filled with peace, joy, and Ahava—a love rooted in home. Because you are each other’s home, and home is wherever you choose each other every day. I love you both dearly!