When asked what does "Pogo" mean, Abhishake Chandel shared that "she ( Fritze Abarre ) was calling me pogi. So out of impulse, I called her Pogo, which is a cartoon channel in India. I know, it's weird. Haha!"

And in Abhishake and Fritze's wedding thanksgiving, we were moved with three life-changing realizations. Let me start with the last one that was not included in the Facebook post.

3. Acquaintances and newly-found friends with shared values and zest in life can feel like old friends. The team didn't expect to share so much hearty laughter during the shoot in Escala with Fritze and Abhishake. The couple was so easy and fun to work with and just clicked well with the team, who "nose-bled" and wished they brought "more English." Haha!

2. Some people can be more Pinoy in thoughts and actions. Described as "ang Indian na maka-Pilipino," Abhi seemed to already embrace Filipino culture and ways. To name a few, we saw how he: greeted the elders with "mano" when he paid respect to Fritze's older relatives, was being so "malambing" and "carinoso" to Fritze, and ride with "nose bleeding" joke when some folks would talk to him.

1. Sometimes, knowing the value of family and how to love unconditionally can be learned through other people, not necessarily your own. Abhi was a free-spirited individual until he met Fritze, and witnessed the "benchmark" of how to love and care for family through Fritze's love for her siblings.

And have a peek into their special day through these SDE video and photo slideshow.

SDE Video

SDE photo slideshow

Meet the team behind the scenes.

Our heartfelt thanks once again, Fritze and Abhishake, for having us.

And lastly, cheers to old and new friends for a job well done!

Photo and Video team for Leo+Lira Photography:
Elboy S. Fabra Jr, Aljon Gervacio, Josue Jhoy Rodriguez, ERic BOy Ermita Carpo, Ethel Diño-Datario, Leo Datario, Tristan Dehesa, Carlo Capila

HMUA: Lyn Tierra

OTD: Event La Vida

Preparation Venue: Escala Tagaytay

Event Venue: Aquila Crystal Palace Tagaytay Events Place

The unexpected blessing called Musikgarten

On our way home from church one day, I spotted this signage on a building, which happens to be Musikgarten’s branch in Pacita. It was a blessing in disguise because I thought that finally, I can fulfill my wish to expose him to more learning opportunities, other kids, and music. I perceived the school and the teachers to be the extension of myself and my husband to provide consistent opportunities to stimulate 3D’s senses through various means including music and play. This is something a working mom cannot do on a daily basis to help her child's cognitive, physical, social and emotional development.

We decided to enroll 3D, who was then one-year-old and three months, in Musikgarten. After several classes, we noticed that shy 3D became friendlier towards guests, he further enjoyed his dad’s music with much awe, he became more expressive (although we couldn’t understand a thing, I wished we had a subtitle machine), he looked forward to washing his hands (accompanied by the song, “hands-a-washing…”) and he learned to enthusiastically help pack away his toys (while we sang “pack away, pack away your toys….”). He consistently understood simple instructions as well. See video here and here. My thought at that time: Konti na lang, mauutusan na siyang bumili ng suka sa tindahan. Chos! And more importantly, 3D was enjoying and having a great time in school!

#PogiWedsPogo

How We Tried to Influence our Child’s Early Development