press launch photos and text by Eksa Jole
If you are currently drowning in Pinterest boards, debating color palettes, or just happen to love the sheer spectacle of a grand wedding, you need to clear your schedule for March 21 and 22, 2026. The region’s most anticipated wedding expo, The Brides at Triton, is returning to Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark for its milestone fifth year, and based on the buzz at the press launch, this isn’t your usual bridal fair but a full-blown cultural moment.
The press conference held on January 21 at Jpark’s Triton 3 successfully convened a diverse group of industry leaders, creative visionaries and Cebu media. The event was anchored by the Jpark Team, with Brian Connelly (VP for Operations and General Manager), Christine Luague (Area Director of Sales), and Jehd Ombos (Senior Sales Manager) representing the host venue and setting a welcoming tone for the proceedings. Sharing the stage were the key executives behind the event’s organization, specifically the leadership from SCI & IFAW. Limuel Hayag Vilela (CEO & President) and Alvin Masangkay Francia (COO & Creative Director) offered insights into the organization’s vision, while Ryan Ros Calmante (IFAW PR & National Media Management) addressed the media landscape. The panel was rounded out by a celebrated roster of artistic talent, highlighting the event’s creative focus. International and celebrity fashion designers Chynna Mamawal and Axel Que, along with international visual artist Noel Cabulang, shared their perspectives, adding a layer of artistic prestige to the discussion.
The theme this year is “Promise in Paradise,” and Jpark is pulling out all the stops to turn that promise into a reality. As Jpark Island Resort Executive Brian Connelly put it, the team made a vow to “exceed the prior year” rather than “rest on their laurels” or become complacent. The goal this year is decidedly ambitious: to infuse the event with an “international flair” and that specific “touch of class, dignity, and discretion” that you can only find at a five-star resort. He also dropped a major tease about their newest event space, the Marcela Pavilion. Connelly gushed that “literally the backdrop to the stage is the ocean,” noting that when it comes to defining paradise in Cebu, “that’s hard to beat”.
This year marks a massive collaboration with the International Fashion and Arts Weekend (IFAW), bringing a global design standard right to Mactan. Fashion Director Limuel Hayag Vilela is treating this as a triumphant homecoming after a decade-long journey through the fashion capitals of Canada, New York, and Paris. “For the past 10 years, the runway has been my way of expressing my love for fashion,” Vilela shared, marking this partnership as the moment they bring the “Promise in Paradise” to life.
What truly sets this year apart is the unexpected fusion of high fashion and fine art. Visual artist Noel Cabulang is creating a massive 30-piece collection specifically for the show, describing it as a “beautiful marriage between fashion and visual art”. We are particularly excited to see the sheer scale of his work; Cabulang revealed that some pieces are “as big as 8 feet by 8 feet,” jokingly hoping the resort’s walls can actually accommodate his “gestural abstractionism”. Adding to the intrigue are the designers themselves. Axel Que kept his cards close to his chest, simply telling the guests to “expect the unexpected”. Meanwhile, Chynna Mamawal dropped a major cliffhanger, revealing that a celebrity guest will be walking for her collection, though she refused to name names just yet. Beyond the glitz, Alvin Masangkay Francia, CEO of SCI, reminded us that the event’s heart beats for empowerment, noting that their workshops are about building self-confidence and celebrating diversity, whether the talent is from the Philippines or abroad.
Of course, we can’t talk about a bridal expo without talking ‘budget’, and Jpark has released exclusive packages that are honestly too good to pass up. For couples dreaming of an intimate golden hour, the “Verdant Vows” ceremony package is a steal at a promo rate of ₱40,000 (regularly ₱50,000), which includes a garden venue, sound system, and cocktails for 30 guests. For the reception, the “Unforgettable Unions” package is priced at ₱2,200 per person, down from ₱2,500. This isn’t just a buffet; it includes a complimentary 2-night stay in a Deluxe Room and waived corkage on wine. If you’re hosting a grander affair with over 200 guests, they’ll even throw in a couple’s spa treatment and welcome drinks for everyone.
To top it all off, you can treat yourself to the “Romantic Radiance” makeover lounge for ₱20,000, which grants access to resort areas for that perfect pre-wedding shoot. And because the wedding is just the beginning, the “Love and Luxe” honeymoon offer lets you crash in a private Pool Villa for just ₱18,000 net—a massive drop from the regular ₱28,000 rate. These deals are valid until the end of 2027, but you must book them during the fair on March 21–22. So, gather your entourage and get ready to say “I do” to these deals.
For inquiries, you can reach the team at +63 977 629 2454 or email rmm@jparkislandresort.com.