Amado Forés and Carmela Fortuna’s wedding of quiet grace
At the historic Bahay na Puti in Cubao, restaurateur Amado Forés and Carmela Fortuna quietly celebrated their civil wedding with just close family and friends—far from the grand affair originally envisioned by Amado’s late mother, trailblazing chef Margarita Araneta Forés, whose passing last February prompted a more intimate gathering.
Amado became an independent restaurateur, founding AF Hospitality, where he serves as CEO and has earned several industry awards for capturing the zeitgeist and creating dishes that are relatable to all ages. Recently, he was appointed chair, president, and CEO of Cibo, his mother’s homegrown Italian restaurant chain, strengthening his leadership in the culinary scene. Carmela left her position at Philip Morris International to become the managing director of her husband’s company, playing a key role in its growth.
Margarita, celebrated for her culinary prowess and style savvy, had envisioned an elaborate celebration for her only son.
“She was meticulous in her planning,” recalled scenographer Gino Gonzales, who was entrusted with the event’s creative direction. “From the table settings to the floral arrangements, she had completed all the research and references. She wanted it to be perfect because, as she often said, she had done weddings for everyone else but never for herself.”
The original concept combined contemporary aesthetics with classic Filipiniana elements—sampaguita swags, striped tents, and midcentury influences that echoed the Bahay na Puti’s heritage.
“We were following the lines of the house,” Gonzales explained, referring to the Postwar Modern architecture with stripped classical elements, typical of its architect, Rufino Antonio. “It was important to respect the era and the architecture. The decor was meant to blend modernity with classic elements, something Margarita valued deeply.”
Desire for privacy
But after Margarita’s untimely demise, plans shifted. True to the couple’s characteristic desire for privacy and mystique, the guest list was pared down from 700 to an intimate 120 family and close friends. The Aranetas have famously valued discretion, so the decision to have a smaller wedding was very much in keeping with their nature.
While the grand wedding envisioned for 2026 will fully showcase the three thematic designs planned for the estate’s main areas, the scaled-down ceremony nonetheless honored Margarita’s vision. Silver heirlooms such as candelabras from the Araneta family adorned the tables, lending a stately touch to the evening. The floral arrangements, crafted by Margarita’s Fiori di M atelier, were a romantic blend of Italian elegance and Filipino warmth—garden-inspired clusters of white blooms and textured greenery. Carmela’s northern heritage was gracefully woven into the wedding ceremony through the use of handwoven textiles as table runners in Margarita’s signature classic Italian tones of off-white and black. These runners were embroidered with abstract figures—a man holding a shield and a woman carrying a banga (clay pot)—adding a subtle yet meaningful nod to Carmela’s roots.
Keeping Margarita’s vision
At the entrance, floral designer Jose Francisco “Joji” Duque faced the challenge of balancing Margarita’s preference for deep maroon and burgundy hues with Carmela’s wish for lighter, white accents. The solution: arrangements with dark interiors and light outer petals, harmonizing old and new sensibilities.
A standout feature was the staircase, draped in delicate sampaguita flowers—a nod to traditional Filipino symbolism. Supplier Serge Igonia, famed for floral work at Malacañang Palace, crafted those intricate sampaguita swags and oval medals that complemented the home’s period architecture.
The civil ceremony and Mass took place in the living room, where antique candeleros flanked the kneeler, and a treasured Chinese decorative screen remained as an elegant backdrop.
The dinner was a buffet spread across the main and auxiliary dining rooms, transformed into stations lined with heirloom silver pieces, reflecting the family’s heritage and refined taste.
Though the day was quieter than initially envisioned, it was imbued with the warmth and elegance that defined Margarita’s life and work.
“Whenever Margarita spoke about this wedding, she would get teary-eyed,” Gonzales recalled. “We did our best to keep her vision alive—the chic, personal touch she always wanted. Even in a scaled-down version, the spirit of her design was very much present.”
A Tiffany or Chiavari chair reserved for the ceremony and reception stood as a poignant reminder of Margarita’s hand in every detail, draped in sampaguita swags and medalla. Gonzales noted that these vintage chairs were made of hardwood, not acrylic.
In essence, the wedding of Amado and Carmela reflected their deep respect for family and tradition, embracing intimacy and understated elegance that honored both their heritage and their private nature.
