Threads of tradition, touches of love

The engagement of Joshua Sytin and Regina Ang

Joshua and Regina’s ting hun did not begin with grand gestures, it began, like their relationship, with something quiet and certain.

Long before the ceremony, they already knew what this milestone meant to them. It wasn’t simply about tradition or formality, but about honoring where they came from and who they were becoming together. “We’ve always believed a ting hun is more than ritual,” Regina shared.

“It’s an expression of shared love, history, and deep respect for our families.” For Joshua, the intention was just as clear. “We didn’t want to just follow customs, we wanted to understand them, and make them our own.”

That mindset shaped every part of their planning. Regina found herself going back to childhood memories, specifically, her Guama’s rose garden, a place filled with warmth and nostalgia. Wanting to recreate that feeling, she chose deep red Ecuadorian roses to fill the space. It wasn’t just about aesthetics, it was about memory.

“Flowers have always been sentimental to me,” she said. “It felt like bringing a piece of my childhood into this new chapter.”

Their attire reflected that same balance of tradition and personality. Joshua wore a custom three-piece suit by Joey Samson, complete with subtle red details and meaningful stitching hidden inside, symbols, names, and their ting hun date, meant only for him to carry. Regina, on the other hand, wore a gown by Banggo Niu, a longtime family friend who had dressed her for milestones over the years.

Designed in a deeper shade of red, the gown featured delicate embroidery inspired by her mother’s own ting hun dress. “It felt very full circle,” she shared. “Like I was honoring the women in my family while stepping into my own moment.”

In the days leading up to the celebration, excitement built in the smallest, most personal ways. As self-proclaimed food lovers, the couple worked closely with Auntie Nancy of EDSA Shangri-La to create a menu that blended symbolism with nostalgia.

From traditional dishes representing abundance to childhood favorites, every plate told a story. “Food is such a big part of how we connect,” Joshua said. “We wanted our guests to feel that.”

The morning of the ting hun began simply, Joshua and Regina on one of their usual long phone calls, getting ready in separate rooms. It was familiar, grounding, and exactly what they needed before everything began.

But once the ceremony started, emotions quickly took over. As Regina walked in, memories came rushing back, and when Joshua turned to her, already in tears, it set off a wave that spread across both families. “We didn’t expect that,” Regina admitted. “But it became the most beautiful part of the day.”One of the most meaningful moments came during the Chia Te. Traditionally reserved for 16 elders, Joshua and Regina chose to serve tea to 32, making space for more of the people who helped shape their lives. It made the ceremony longer, but for them, that was never the point.

“It felt right to honor as many as we could,” Joshua said. “This milestone belongs to them, too.”

Behind the seamless flow of the day was a team Regina speaks of with genuine gratitude. “Our suppliers were incredible, not just in what they did, but in how they cared,” she shared.

“Achi Camille and the Tinghun Tris team guided us through everything so patiently. Auntie Kathy understood my vision immediately and brought it to life so beautifully. And Auntie Eva made the program feel so personal, like it was truly about our families, not just a program to follow.” She added, “Because of them, we didn’t feel stressed. We were just present.”

By the end of the celebration, what lingered most wasn’t just the beauty of the details, but the emotion that filled every moment. It was in the tears, the laughter, and the quiet exchanges between families now bound together.

For Joshua and Regina, their ting hun wasn’t just a step toward marriage, it was a beginning marked by intention, memory, and a love that already feels like home.