The joy in Easter, weddings, and powerful women
“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” – Henri Matisse
Happy Easter to all! As part of God’s creation, we are not defined by Good Friday’s sorrow, but by Easter Sunday’s joy. The resurrection of Jesus changed the face of death as we knew it—it is no longer a prison but instead, it is the divine passage into God’s presence.
This past Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV had a powerful message to share. He urged world leaders to lay down their arms and remember that we are all brothers and sisters. He expressed concern for victims of war and violence, and prayed for peace and reconciliation. His speech was a request for peace, and to end war. In a similar vein, it would be in the Easter spirit for us all to embrace that message, and choose peace in our everyday lives.
This Easter, may we spend it solemnly with our loved ones and reconnect with our faith. Family has always been the center of my world, so I am grateful that there is sincere love and peace in my home front.
There has been much to celebrate in our large Rufino-Prieto clan this year, and I am so delighted to be a witness to all of them. From weddings to birthdays to awarding ceremonies, there have been so many milestones shared with the people that matter most.
Wedding vows
My niece Ella Uichico, daughter of Marisun Laurel and Jake Uichico, recently married her long-time boyfriend, Miguel “SJ” San Juan at a fairy tale-like wedding. After a very long friendship–turned courtship–turned relationship of 13 years, the newlyweds finally tied the knot last March 7.
On that long-awaited day, Ella walked in wearing a floral lace gown by Freesia De L’amour Boutique, later changing into a one-of-a-kind piece by Heleyna Bridal. SJ, in a tailored suit by Jeremy’s Textile, wore a Rajo Laurel tie—the same one he had worn as Ella’s prom date in 2011.
Their ceremony took place at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish Of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria. One of the most emotional moments came when Ella’s father Jake Uichico, who had recently undergone a kidney transplant and was in isolation, made a brief surprise appearance to personally hand Ella over to SJ. For the sake of his recovery, he stayed only a short time—but the moment brought the entire church to tears.
Though they once dreamed of Italy, the couple found that Tuscan spirit at Villa D’Este in Tagaytay. With its romantic gardens and open-air charm, guests enjoyed the scenery and cool weather all day.
True to their vision, the celebration was vibrant and guest-centered. A highlight was their Grand Bazaar, where guests used custom play money to shop for souvenirs in a beautifully styled glasshouse by N’Style Events by Nyra Gebilaguin-Lagare.
The celebration continued with a wide array of food and drinks: blends from Fiesty Iced Tea, brews from Coffee at Heart, and cocktails by Santé Libations, alongside treats like Araro Gelato, Lil’ Orbits mini donuts, Filipino street food from Himagas Party Carts, and delicious cocktail fare by their caterer, Juan Carlo.
Behind the seamless flow of events was coordinator Anj Almeda and her team. The reception transformed into a dreamlike “Celestial Garden,” brought to life by Ella’s longtime dream stylist, Kyno Kho, with support from Always in Motion and Blackbox Audio System. Hosted by Mike Acuña, the party was filled with touching speeches, videos from Team Benitez and Theia Films, and ended with lots of drinking and dancing.
Despite hosting close to 400 guests, the wedding remained intimate at its core—a reflection of a love that endured time, distance, and change, and ultimately found its way back, stronger than ever.
Women we champion
At the recently concluded Women of Power Awards by Inquirer Group of Companies, two of my cousins were honored for their power to make positive change, generate growth, and become inspirations for the next generation.
The awardees were celebrated for the choices they have made in life. Even with their own set of doubts and struggles, they continued to be beacons of leadership, direction, and innovation.
Reni Roxas, my cousin on the Rufino side, is an author and publisher and founder of Tahanan Books for Young Readers. As an avid writer, she turned her words into worlds and, with entrepreneurship in her blood, found her way into publishing and created Tahanan Books in 1991. She has dedicated more than three decades to shaping Filipino children’s literature and helping them learn and read Tagalog.
I also had a relative from my Prieto side awarded at the event—Karla Delgado, the founder of Kai Farms, a permaculture-based farm in Silang, Cavite. Karla says 2026 is the “year of the woman farmer.” At Kai Farms, Karla, herself a Gen X-er, leads a multigenerational group of women: from Gen Z chefs and students to millennial agriculturists to a farm manager in charge of an entire team of men. This diversity in age helps share different perspectives and ideas, bringing together a collective intelligence and wisdom.
This year’s awardees are truly exceptional women of courage, brilliance, and purpose. Each of whom has carved her own path, broken barriers, and redefined what is possible. Two other awardees are very special and have been close to me for many years now: Carla Guevara Laforteza and Angelique Morato Songco.
As a very talented performer and theater artist, Carla has been on the stage for many years. Together with Shiela Valderrama, Carla’s best friend and fellow artist, she formed the Luminaries, a creative group that has expanded over the years and now includes several other leading artists in the industry. Carla manages and oversees the contracts of these artists, making sure they are taken care of in performances and shows.
Apart from managing artists, Carla also watches over her kids, and is so proud of her daughter Sophia, who has become a global sensation with the music group Katseye. I am so thankful for Carla, as her generosity also supports the Red Charity Gala and I Want to Share Foundation.
I do love going to theater plays and dressing up extravagantly for shows, but one of my other main passions in life, as an avid scuba diver, is to save the Philippines reefs. It was in diving Tubbataha Reef that I met Angelique Morato Songco, aptly nicknamed “Mama Ranger,” the superintendent of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
For over two decades, she has protected and managed this iconic marine sanctuary. It is her through her passion, dedication, and lifelong advocacy that Tubbataha has become a global model for marine conservation. Now one of the Philippines’ top dive sites, it has earned recognition for its sustainable practices in protecting biodiversity and fragile ecosystems.
These incredible women are proof that leadership is not defined by gender, but by vision, courage, and integrity. Their stories and their successes remind us that progress is not abstract—it is built day-by-day, step-by-step. And as we gather together to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, it is a perfect time to reflect on the ways that we each can rise and grow to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be, for God and for the world around us.
