'll never forget… how you brought the sun to shine in my life… And took all the worries and fears that I had” –Lines from Cecille Azarcon's “How Did You Know,” sang by Gary Valenciano at the Tongi-Walters wedding reception

Four days before marrying Tim in their Christian-rite beach wedding, G wrote a piece recounting how she found a husband in her friend. Here it is in full:

“Tim and I began our love story early last year. One of the many jobs I had bartending found me in West Los Angeles at a Thai restaurant/bar called CHANDARA. Next door to Chandara was another bar/supper club called the ARSENAL. As fate would have it, Tim was working there as a bartender and bar manager simultaneously. Before his late evening shifts, he would walk into the restaurant and have a seat at the bar and graciously ask me for his regular ‘Jameson neat with a soda back.' He was always courteous and friendly not only to me but also to the rest of the staff and patrons. After my shift ended at around ten in the evening, it would be my turn to go next door to have an after-work

cocktail that would be made especially by him. I was always fascinated by how he dominated his bar area and I even learned a few tricks from watching him work. He is a very talented MIXOLOGIST! We quickly developed a friendship that has surprisingly turned into the most promising and beautiful romance I could ever imagine or dream of!!!

“This habit of him visiting and then dropping by became a routine of sorts. We always

February19, 2002 4:30 p.m. Nami Resort, Boracay The couple listen intently to the words of the officiating minister, the Rev. Gus Lising, pastor of the Word Community Church .

shad a lot to talk about and got along superbly! At this time, I was also rehearsing for a play called The Days When Coccaine Was King . I had invited him, and one evening he unexpectedly made an appearance to watch my performance. That was the start that sparked an interest that has left me enchanted until now.

“From that day on, we made it a point to spend time together outside work—even just as friends. Our friendship is really what sealed our relationship. We both knew that we were attracted to each other and yet, because we were friends, we tried to deny our

In her last solo photo as a single woman, the bride looks resplendent in her wedding dress. Designer Rajo Laurel identifies the color of the gown as crème fraiche—“almost of the milk.”

brewing emotions for each other. Together, the two of us were like children running around an amusement park, with pure abandon. In fact, we did just that on several occasions. We spent a couple of times journeying to Disneyland and Magic Mountain on our days off from work.

“He was never pushy or needy of my time either. He constantly thanked me for the time we spend together. His sweet gestures never went unnoticed. He would always make it a point to drive me to work and pick me up whenever he could. He always had my favorite candies for the offering. (By the way, we both love… love, love… the same kind of candy!) He was a true gentleman all throughout the early stages of courtship. Never ever forgetting to open the car door for me till this day!

“We became constant companions. We enjoyed watching movies and having lunches and dinners together very frequently. I soon fell in love with Tim without realizing it when he started cooking better sinigang than me! It's important what friends think of the person you're dating, because they see the bigger picture while you're on a cloud filled with infatuation. All of them thought he was a sweetheart and gave me their thumbs-up approval.

“When I had told him of my plans to go back to Manila to visit my family and friends, he instantly said he needed a break from the demanding and stressful life he had been living and wanted to come and visit. I was overjoyed but also a bit worried since I had not explained to him the life I live here in the Philippines and the nature of show business was sure to shock him. He had no prior knowledge of my stature as a celebrity. I purposefully did not divulge this part of my life because I wanted him to like me for who I really am, and not be blinded by what I did as a profession.

Always, the most emotional part of a wedding is when the bride's parents—in this case, G's mom, Aurora Luansing—hand over the daughter to the man she has chose to be with forever. At the reception, G's mom tearfully said: “It's very hard to let her go, but children are only on loan to parents. So, one way or the other, we have to let them go… My Giselle, I love her so much. I hope Tim loves her as much as I do.” G and Tim light the huge white candle, a ceremony symbolizing the union of two souls as one.

“He followed just a month after I left Los Angeles . This was in October and he has not left my side since. When we were apart for a month it was pure agony for both of us. We knew then that we don't want to be separated ever again. When he proposed on New Year's Day, I must admit, I was not expecting it. But I am sure he was not expecting to find me so soon either. He always tells me that he would find me. It would just take some time… When the right time comes along, your true love will find you… I believe that Lord Jesus Christ has blessed me with that special someone in Mr. Timothy Michael Lennon Walters, and I rejoice in being able to share with all of you the most unforgettable day of my life.”

Always, the most emotional part of a wedding is when the bride's parents—in this case, G's mom, Aurora Luansing—hand over the daughter to the man she has chose to be with forever. At the reception, G's mom tearfully said: “It's very hard to let her go, but children are only on loan to parents. So, one way or the other, we have to let them go… My Giselle, I love her so much. I hope Tim loves her as much as I do.”

G and Tim light the huge white candle, a ceremony symbolizing the union of two souls as one.

Giselle's side of the family.	Tim's side of the family.
At the reception, G—here with another good friend, Donita Rose—changed to a bikini top crafted with pearls and crystals. Donita, in her message, told of an experience she would never forget about G, who was Donita predecessor as host of MTV Asia. “When we met in Singapore ,” Donita recalls, ‘ paalis na siya doon, ako padating pa lang sa MTV Asia . Nag -stay pa siya ng one more day para samahan ako doon .”	Mr. and Mrs. Walters with their principal sponsors” (L-R) groomsman Marc Nelson; maid of honor Joey Mead; groomsman Milano Sanchez (brother of TV host Korina Sanchez); G and Tim; best man John Luansing (G's brother); and bridesmaids Donita Rose-Villarama (with son JP), Trixie Besa, and Jackie Castillejo. The kids are (L-R) ring bearer Matthew Garcia, flower girl Bea Basa, and Bible bearer Daniel Luansing.
Giselle and Tim are flanked by a specially selected set of ninongs and ninangs: (L-R) director Lore Reyes's proxy Eric Quizon, Gina Martinez, and husband Leo; G's personal manager Tonette Buizon; director Al Quinn's proxy Gary Valenciano; and G's second mom, her manager Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano. Bacolod-based director Peque Gallaga was also a godfather, but was unable to make it.	The Tongi-Walters wedding came with all the fun parts of a traditional wedding, such as the bouquet tossing and the wedding-garter ceremonies.
G and her best friend, model Joey Mead, get emotional. They hugged and they cried once back in Manila , Joey told everyone that G's beach wedding was “the most romantic” she had ever attended.	Good friend Jackie Castillejo recalled being told by G, at one point in the latter's friendship with Tim: “I think I'm falling in love with him. The real kind.”

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