Maritess De Ocampo

Let’s  Celebrate Expo with Kevin Lapeña, Berg Go, Michael Ruiz, Marbee Go, Teena      Barretto, Gideon Hermosa and Teddy Manuel 

Article (news)

Let’s  Celebrate Expo 

The conversations around weddings and celebrations are changing. Today’s couples are thinking beyond flowers and venues. They are placing greater emphasis on meaningful experiences, personal stories, destination travel, thoughtful design, and the people who help bring those moments to life.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780480974340LCE 2026 IMG_3831.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:513.865px;height:auto" width="513.865"/>Let&#x27;s Celebrate curator and creator Marbee Shing-GoThat shift was at the heart of a gathering hosted by Let’s Celebrate on May 15, where media, hospitality brands, tourism partners, creatives, and industry leaders came together for an intimate luncheon at Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez. The event offered an early glimpse into what guests can expect from Let’s Celebrate Expo 2026, happening on July 18–19 at SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City. More than simply previewing the upcoming expo, the luncheon reflected how Let’s Celebrate continues to evolve beyond the traditional bridal fair model. Instead, it has grown into a curated platform where weddings, travel, hospitality, design, culture, and creative collaboration intersect. A global partnership rooted in celebration One of the afternoon’s major announcements was the introduction of the Spain Tourism Board as Let’s Celebrate’s official global destination partner for 2026.</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780484204341Chef Alvaro.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Chef Alvaro Romero Abreu-Raya of Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez personally presented and discussed each dish</div>Held within the warm and elegant setting of Cantabria, the luncheon subtly reflected the spirit of Spain through its atmosphere, hospitality, and storytelling. The partnership highlights the growing role destinations play in shaping how modern celebrations are imagined, planned, and experienced.The collaboration follows last year’s partnership with Switzerland Tourism and continues Let’s Celebrate’s efforts to connect local celebrations with international experiences.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780481078805LCE 2026 IMG_2263.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:513.865px;display:block;height:auto" width="513.865"/>At last year&#x27;s Let&#x27;s Celebrate Expo with Kevin Lapeña, Berg Go, Michael Ruiz, Marbee Shing-Go, Teena Barretto, Gideon Hermosa, and Teddy ManuelGuests were also given a preview of an upcoming familiarization trip to Spain, where a delegation curated by Let’s Celebrate will create destination content, exchange ideas with tourism stakeholders, and explore opportunities surrounding weddings, honeymoons, milestone celebrations, and experiential travel.</div>“We chose the Philippine market because Filipino travelers place great value on meaningful celebrations, family connections, and unforgettable experiences,” shared Marta Fernandez Martion, Director of the Spain Tourism Board for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.“We are seeing a growing interest among Filipino couples in destination weddings and honeymoons, particularly in Europe, and Spain offers a unique combination of culture, history, hospitality, gastronomy, and unforgettable venues,” she added. “Filipino travelers also have a strong affinity with Spanish heritage and traditions, making Spain a natural and inspiring choice for weddings and honeymoons.”“Through our partnership with Let’s Celebrate and the upcoming familiarization trip, we hope to showcase Spain not just as a destination, but as a place where couples can create deeply personal and memorable experiences.”<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-beauty-fashion/2026/5/2/francis-libiran-debuts-adoracion-bridal-collection-in-harbin-runway-showcase-1043" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Francis Libiran debuts &#x27;Adoracion&#x27; bridal collection in Harbin runway showcase</a></div><div>Hospitality meets celebration</div>Another notable announcement was the participation of Marriott International Philippines, which joins the platform for the first time.Representing 14 properties across the country, Marriott International Philippines reflects the increasingly close relationship between global hospitality brands and the Philippine celebrations industry.Guests also learned that leading hotels and resorts from Metro Manila and key destinations across the country are expected to participate in this year’s expo, reinforcing Let’s Celebrate’s position as a central meeting place for couples exploring both city and destination celebrations.<div>The creative forces shaping modern weddings</div>Among the most anticipated reveals was a collaborative installation by Gideon Hermosa, Michael Ruiz, and Teddy Manuel—collectively known as GMT and regarded as some of the most influential creatives shaping luxury weddings in the Philippines today.For the luncheon, Teddy Manuel conceptualized a Spanish-Filipino sculptural tablescape created especially for Let’s Celebrate 2026 in collaboration with the Spain Tourism Board.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780481565326LCE 2026 VS5_8947_Tablescape.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:513.865px;height:auto" width="513.865"/>Teddy Manuel&#x27;s tablescape features Spanish fans with cascading carnations and tropical heliconias reaching up like dancers mid-performanceSet against the sweeping city views of Aire 32, The Westin Manila’s new events venue on the 32nd floor, the installation combined cascading red carnation garlands, locally sourced tropical heliconias, terracotta textures, and traditional Spanish fans reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The tablescape beautifully brought together Spanish inspiration and Filipino craftsmanship.</div> The design served as a visual representation of the partnership between Spain and the Philippines, bringing together Spanish inspiration and Filipino craftsmanship through flowers, materials, and storytelling rooted in both cultures. According to Manuel, the upward movement of the florals was inspired by the expressive silhouette of flamenco dancers with their hands raised mid-performance—capturing movement, passion, rhythm, and emotion through design. “The future of weddings and destination celebrations is immersive storytelling through culture, design, and experience,” Teddy Manuel shared during the event. “Celebrations are emotional by nature. They’re expressive. They hold joy, vulnerability, family, history, and personality all at once. As creatives, we give our all because these moments matter deeply to the people living them. That’s what makes weddings beautiful—because they allow people to express love and meaning in a way that feels true to them.” The upcoming expo will also bring together some of the country’s most influential names in wedding storytelling and documentation, including renowned filmmaker Jason Magbanua alongside industry-leading teams Mayad Studios, ProudRad, Niceprint, Metrophoto, and Sherard Yu of Wishing Well, with additional names expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The luncheon likewise highlighted professionals helping shape the overall celebration experience, including Kevin Lapeña, whose polished yet deeply personal approach has made him one of the most sought-after hosts among couples today.<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-beauty-fashion/2026/5/24/fashionphilippines-milan-returns-in-2026-expands-global-push-for-filipino-brands-1600" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: FASHIONPhilippines Milan returns in 2026, expands global push for Filipino brands</a> Making space for emerging talent Alongside established names, Let’s Celebrate also shared plans to continue supporting the next generation of creative professionals through its LC Next initiative. The program aims to create opportunities for promising emerging talents to be seen alongside industry pioneers while fostering mentorship, collaboration, and creative exchange within the celebrations community. The vision behind Let’s Celebrate At the center of the platform is founder Marbee Shing-Go, whose career has spanned print, television, publishing, travel, and live events. Known for her work as a wedding and travel magazine editor, book author, and showrunner of &quot;She Said Yes!,&quot; the destination wedding show produced by FOX International Channels, Shing-Go has long combined storytelling and curation in ways that connect people, places, and experiences. Over the years, she has also become known for identifying emerging talents and creative voices early in their careers, many of whom have since become influential figures within the weddings and celebrations industry. Through Let’s Celebrate, she has brought together her backgrounds in media, travel, and experiential storytelling to create a platform centered on meaningful collaboration, cultural exchange, and thoughtful curation. Rather than focusing purely on scale, the platform continues to champion a more intentional approach by bringing together vetted and verified suppliers chosen not simply for popularity, but for the unique perspectives and experiences they offer different kinds of couples and celebrations. Having spent close to two decades in the wedding industry, Shing-Go also reflected on why she remains energized by the evolving celebrations landscape and the possibilities that continue to emerge through the platform.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780484276479LCE 2026 VS5_8918.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:513.865px;height:auto" width="513.865"/>Marbee Shing-Go, Kevin Lapeña, and Teddy Manuel</div>She shared, “Now I’m doing something different, something very close to my heart. I’ve been in the wedding industry for close to two decades. A lot of the suppliers I’ve worked with had just graduated from college like Al Avellana of Proud Rad—who is now one of the most major wedding photographers in the country and in Europe.&quot; &quot;I’ve seen Al grow (should I say that?),” she laughed.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780484421481LCE 2026 VS5_9439.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="409" style="width:409px;display:block;height:auto"/>ProudRad&#x27;s Al Avellana</div>She continues, “But I’m very happy to be in this industry at this time because there’s really so much to share and so much to introduce. Let’s Celebrate is really our platform, it’s our love story, it’s our playground. Before I was telling everyone that I used to be a magazine editor , I used to be a wedding magazine editor, and paper was my was my playground. Now it’s space. And with space at One Ayala, we have you know, it’s so big, but there’s still so much we can do and I’m very happy to be partnering with them, and with our partners like Marriot International, Westin, and also Spain Tourism Board, because you know weddings is a very wonderful industry to be in, rain or shine, tuloy ang kasal.&quot;&quot;So I’d like to welcome you all, not just here today, but also on July 18 and 19, so when you listen to what we have to say today, it’s not just words, you’ll see it, you’ll feel it, it’s multi-sensory as Teddy said, and we’d like to welcome you, and let’s all celebrate!”“At the end of the day, no two couples are the same,” Shing-Go shared. “Some are drawn to something timeless and intimate, while others gravitate toward a more modern or unconventional direction. Curation, for us, simply means creating a space where people can discover what genuinely feels right for them.” Meaningful celebrations The discussions throughout the afternoon also touched on the realities many couples are facing today, from rising costs to evolving priorities. Yet despite these shifts, milestone celebrations continue to hold deep significance. Rather than stepping away from weddings and gatherings, many couples are approaching them with greater intention, placing value on meaning, experience, and personal relevance over excess. That philosophy reflects a broader shift in how celebrations are being approached today, where weddings and milestone occasions increasingly serve as expressions of personal stories, values, and priorities rather than simply following trends. As a result, Let’s Celebrate 2026 was presented as a platform that embraces a range of styles and perspectives, from classic and romantic to modern, editorial, and design-driven, allowing guests to discover possibilities that feel authentic to them. A taste of Spain to close the afternoon The luncheon concluded with a culinary experience that echoed the spirit of the Spain partnership.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780483341141Cantabria.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Clockwise from top left: Cantabria premium anchovy with Manchego mousse and pistachios, Northern Spanish chorizo with potato fritters, Wagyu and ikura tartlet; Solomillo de Vaca; Bacalao con pisto Manchego and pilpil sauce</div>Guests enjoyed a multi-course menu prepared by Spanish chef Alvaro Romero Abreu-Raya of Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez, the Michelin Select restaurant known for its refined interpretation of modern Spanish cuisine.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780483657839LCE 2026 VS5_9659.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:513.865px;height:auto" width="513.865"/>Chef Alvaro Romero Abreu-Raya&#x27;s paella with tiger prawns and fresh seafoodComplementing the meal were two signature non-alcoholic drinks from Tastemakers, one of the young suppliers first introduced through last year’s Let’s Celebrate and returning for this year’s expo.</div><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780482011704LCE 2026 VS5_9857.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="443" style="width:443px"/>Odie Pineda and Charlyn Joaquin of TastemakersInspired by Spanish flavors and Mediterranean gatherings, the beverages included the Horchata de Almendras and the Sans Gria, a refreshing reinterpretation of sangria made with kombucha.</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780482490690Tastemakers Horchata Sans Gria.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:369px;display:block;height:367.564px" width="369"/>Tastemakers&#x27; Horchata de Almendras and Sans Gria / Photos by the authorAs Let’s Celebrate continues to evolve, it further establishes itself as a meeting point for pioneers, emerging talents, destinations, hospitality brands, and creative collaborators, bringing together local artistry and global opportunities in an ongoing conversation about how celebrations are being imagined today. Let’s Celebrate Expo 2026 is happening on July 18–19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM in SPACE at One Ayala, Ayala Center, Makati.</div><div>Photos courtesy of Let&#x27;s Celebrate, unless otherwise indicated. </div><div>For updates and participating brands, follow @letscelebrateinc across social media platforms.</div>

From destination weddings to design, hospitality, and creative storytelling, Let's Celebrate 2026 continues to redefine what a modern celebrations platform can be. The upcoming July expo features industry pioneers, emerging talents, and international partners like the Spain Tourism Board.

From destination weddings to design, hospitality, and creative storytelling, Let's Celebrate 2026 continues to redefine what a modern celebrations platform can be. The upcoming July expo features industry pioneers, emerging talents, and international partners like the Spain Tourism Board.

'Let’s Celebrate 2026' brings together creatives, global partners, and new ideas shaping the future of weddings

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

People, Culture, and Events

'Let’s Celebrate 2026' brings together creatives, global partners, and new ideas shaping the future of weddings

Mawi Fojas De Ocampo

Published June 03, 2026 07:35 PM PHT

|

Updated June 03, 2026 08:54 PM PHT

Read More:

Let's Celebrate 2026

Wedding Expo PH

Destination Weddings

Philippine Weddings

Wedding Inspiration

Spain Tourism Board

Marbee Shing Go

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.