Beautiful Chaos

Featuring Christian Bagaporo and Ace Imas

Their Love Story

On a warm March day in 2024, Christian and his bride stood at the altar of Malate Catholic Church, ready to embark on a journey they had been building toward for nearly a decade. Their love story was not marked by grand proposals or cinematic declarations. Instead, it was a tale of two people who found their rhythm in life’s twists and turns, creating something uniquely their own.

They first met in 2015, colleagues working in different departments but sharing the same office energy. Christian’s quiet admiration for her began to surface through small gestures and teasing from their peers. Yet, love wasn’t instant. She dismissed his advances, preferring men with a different physique.

“Apparently, he was dropping hints like they were candy. He’d bring me little gifts and do nice things, but I just thought he was being friendly. Then the teasing started.

He’s courting you!” they said. But here’s the kicker: I wasn’t into skinny guys. I mean, I like my guys with a bit more substance, you know? So I kept my distance, thinking, “Ayoko sa mabuto.”, shares Ace laughingly.

It wasn’t until years later, during the pandemic in 2020, that their paths crossed again. Christian’s determination to win her heart resurfaced—this time with a newfound charm and, humorously, a “dad bod” that made her smile.

But life, as it often does, threw in a plot twist: Christian ghosted her. She cried, moved on, and dated others, yet something felt incomplete.

“I told my mom, [If God brings Christian back into my life and he tries to court me again, I’m saying yes right away! No more dragging it out.] And I prayed hard. I mean, come on—ibigay na siya ulit saken para naman magantihan ko siya sa pang go-ghost nya”, shares Ace.

In December 2021, fueled by courage and a little alcohol, she sent him a heartfelt message. To her surprise, he replied. By January 2022, Christian was courting her for the third time. This time, she said yes, realizing his love was persistent, patient, and true.

“May 2023 in Boracay, habang nagse-celebrate ng birthday niya. We decided to go parasailing. Up in the air, we started talking about settling down and our future. Pero ako? I was busy distracting myself from my nerves. My lord, nasa gitna kami ng dagat! Feeling ko, pwede akong mahulog anytime. Ayoko mamatay sa tubig na wala akong maayos na lipstick at kilay. Hindi puwede ‘yon.”, shares Ace.

Then, out of nowhere, he said, “Magpakasal na tayo!” Napatawa na lang ako. Ayoko rin masira yung vibe. Pero kinabukasan, he brought it up again. “Magpakasal na tayo!” This time, I was more prepared. I flashed my left hand, umaasang parang si Princess Fiona. Pero ang sagot niya? “Kaso walang singsing. Pagdating natin sa Manila, dun tayo bibili ng singsing.”

“I just laughed it off and rolled with it—birthday celebration niya naman! Pag-uwi namin sa Manila, sabi niya, “Alis tayo.” We ended up in a jewelry store. Tapos bigla niyang sinabi, “Sige na, pili ka na ng engagement ring na gusto mo.” I was shocked kasi usually diba, lalaki yung pumipili ng singsing? Sa isip ko, “Ay, iba ang universe. Ako ang pipili ng singsing!”

“So, I started browsing. Then I saw a ring that felt so special—parang it was calling out to me. I asked him, “Bakit ako ang pipili?” Sagot niya, “Kasi pag ako ang pumili, baka hindi okay sayo. Gusto ko, yung makuha mo, yun yung gusto mo.”

Natawa ako sa practicality niya, pero my heart was so full. It was so him—thoughtful in the most unexpected way.”, Ace shares with sincerity.

The Big Day

Planning the wedding was a rollercoaster of emotions—complete with venue mishaps, last-minute decisions, and a whole lot of laughs. Yet, on the big day, everything fell into place, reminding them that even the chaos had its own charm.

Her gown, designed by Ryan Chris, was a timeless masterpiece she hoped to pass down to future generations. It was elegant and meaningful, just like their chosen classic theme of sage green and blue. The soft hues created an atmosphere of comfort and sophistication, with a thoughtful touch: gray for the principal sponsors, and a dashing dark blue suit for Christian, which complemented his complexion perfectly.

The wedding gifts were heartfelt and personal. Christian surprised her with a beautiful cross pendant necklace—a symbol of faith and protection she now carries everywhere. For her part, she gifted him a watch, a gesture laced with humor and sentimentality. It was her way of saying, “Every moment from now on is precious,” with a playful nudge for him to keep track of time when she’s asking for help.

The road to the altar wasn’t without hurdles. Finding a venue was one of the toughest challenges. Two venues fell through due to double bookings, leaving them scrambling just two months before the wedding. As the pressure mounted, they joked about turning into Chucky and Tiffany. But then, they found Patio Victoria, and relief washed over them like a long-awaited answer to their prayers.

Their personalities shone throughout the process. Christian, ever the chill partner, was happy to go with the flow, while she brought energy and humor to every step. During their prenup photoshoot, he nailed the poses, but she couldn’t help cracking jokes and pulling funny faces. On the wedding day, she brought that same infectious joy, balancing her 20% seriousness with 80% laughter and happy tears.

The ceremony was unforgettable. They exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends, with laughter mixing with tears. It wasn’t about creating a perfect moment; it was about embracing the love and joy that surrounded them.

The dances brought unexpected emotion. Her father, usually so composed, found himself overwhelmed by the significance of the moment—it was the family’s first church wedding. Christian’s mother, shy and reserved, mustered the courage to step onto the dance floor, making their mother-son dance even more meaningful.

Their love story isn’t defined by grand gestures or dramatic proposals. Instead, it’s marked by the simple, profound decision to spend forever together. It’s a story of persistence, humor, shared dreams, and a deep connection that carried them through every laugh and challenge.

Their wedding day was the beginning of their forever—a celebration of love, family, and the timeless beauty of their story.