June 30, 2025 was a magical day for Stefano “Stef” Teodoro Marcelo and Bridget Monteverde Teo, who exchanged vows at a winery within the picturesque city of Setúbal, Portugal.
Surrounded by their closest household and pals, the couple celebrated their union in a setting as timeless as their love. Nestled on the sting of the Iberian Peninsula, Setúbal is thought for its wealthy Portuguese heritage, breathtaking landscapes and world-class delicacies — an idyllic backdrop for a vacation spot wedding ceremony and a love story that appears destined by destiny.
From the groom’s aspect: Chef Reggie Aspiras (left), the aunt of Monique Aspiras Teodoro, who’s the mom of the groom.
Listening to their love story reinforces one’s perception in serendipity. Within the realm of affection, serendipity means assembly somebody particular below essentially the most surprising, even unintended circumstances — an opportunity encounter on a practice or a random assembly that unfolds right into a deep and intimate connection.
In Stef and Bridget’s case, they really grew up in the identical neighborhood in California — but didn’t meet till years later, on a flight again to Manila. Each of their early 20s on the time, they had been seated subsequent to one another on the aircraft and struck up a dialog.
Mom of the bride Roselle Monteverde.
They determined to look at one thing collectively — an episode of “The Indignant Beavers” — sharing a pair of wired Apple earphones (not AirPods, that are the norm now). Ultimately, they dozed off, and when Stef awoke, he noticed that Bridget had rolled the aircraft divider. That was it. No alternate of contact particulars, no social media follow-up — only a fleeting, candy second with a stranger.
Quick ahead 10 years. A mutual pal set them up on a date through the pandemic. To Bridget’s shock, Stef remembered their shared flight — one thing she hadn’t pieced collectively. Again then, Stef glided by “Jean,” his first title, and had a shaved head to suit below his racing helmet (he was pursuing a profession in Method racing). The connection solely clicked for Bridget later.
FDCP chairman Joey Reyes.
On that dinner date, Stef did one thing that Bridget initially discovered unusual — he reduce up her meals, which was an octopus dish. She later confided to her greatest pals, Kat and Karina (now her maids of honor), that the date was “simply all proper,” a bit bizarre even. However in hindsight, that quirky gesture stood out as considerate and honest — a uncommon mixture of chivalry and custom that Bridget deeply admired.
The groom with racing buddy Matteo Guidicelli.
Two months after their Setúbal wedding ceremony, on Aug. 30, the couple’s households hosted a Manila reception on the Manila Polo Membership — a grand celebration attended by pals, household and notable names from the enterprise and showbiz communities.
Expertise supervisor Shirley Kuan, businessman Philip Cuazon, GMA government Lawrence Tan and Robinsons Retail chairman Robina Gokongwei.
It was a well-attended reception, particularly from the leisure trade. In any case, Bridget is the granddaughter of the late Mom Lily Monteverde and the one daughter of Roselle Monteverde, who now heads Regal Movies.
Grandmother of the groom Aida Aspiras along with her sister Babot and husband, lawyer Mario Oreta.
Upon coming into the ballroom, friends had been greeted by 4 ultra-long rectangular tables. On the far left sat the “showbiz” crowd: Movie Growth Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman direk Joey Reyes, direk Chito Roño, PTV common supervisor Malou Choa-Fagar, expertise managers Popoy Caritativo, Jun Lalin and Shirley Kuan, in addition to Annabelle Rama, Eddie Gutierrez, and Richard Gutierrez.
The newlyweds Stef and Bridget Marcelo.
The following desk was reserved for the enterprise elite, together with McDonald’s Philippines chairman George Yang, Robinsons Retail chairman Robina Gokongwei, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan and entrepreneur Philip Cuazon Jr.
Aunt of the bride, Meme Monteverde.
The third desk was for the youthful crowd — pals of the bride and groom — whereas the ultimate desk seated Stef’s household. Amongst them was Stef’s mom, Monique Aspiras Teodoro, nonetheless as radiant as she was 30 years in the past after I first met her.
Additionally current had been Monique’s mom, Aida Aspiras, a pricey pal from a long time previous, and her sisters: Chef Reggie Aspiras and Babot, who’s married to lawyer Mario Oreta.
Robina with fellow enterprise tycoon, McDonald’s Philippines boss George Yang.
Dinner was catered by Cibo, and it was nothing in need of beautiful. The meal started with Watercress Passato, a vegetable purée with Parmigiano-Reggiano sformato, prosciutto crisps, truffle essence and watercress sprouts. It was adopted by a refreshing Rucola, Mizuna, and Recent Peach Salad with parmigiano frico, toasted pinoli, pesto Genovese and aged balsamico.
Richard Gutierrez with mother and father Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez.
Naturally, there was pasta — Handmade Ravioli with mushroom trifolati, prosciutto, truffle cream, parmigiano slivers and a touch of mint.
Stef and Bridget with their entourage: Bryant Biron, Katrina Swee, Kristen Monteverde, Michael Fox, Paige Aboitiz, Nicolas Aboitiz, Anya Teodoro, Micaela Santos and Agustin Teodoro in Setubal, Portugal.
For the mains, friends selected between Salmon with Sicilian Cherry Tomato Sauce and Tagliata di Manzo “Al Rosmarino,” roast beef tenderloin with Davao chocolate jus, rosemary, mushroom rice pilaf and seasonal greens.
Dessert featured two candy treats: tiramisu and Marcelo’s bilo-bilo ice cream, made by Stef’s family-owned ice cream manufacturing enterprise, which provides each native and worldwide manufacturers.
PTV common supervisor Malou Choa-Fagar and expertise supervisor Popoy Caritativo.
Bridget, founding father of Two Gap Punch, added a artistic twist to the night. Visitors acquired artsy, hand-crafted playing cards through the dinner, each revealing a chapter of the couple’s story. A member of the family or pal would then narrate the story behind every card.
It was an enthralling, collaborative element between Stef and Bridget — ice cream from Marcelo’s, stationery from Two Gap Punch — that made the night really feel extra intimate, extra “them.”
A love story that started within the sky, grounded in likelihood, and sealed with intention — Stef and Bridget’s celebration was not solely stunning, however deeply private. Similar to their journey collectively.