At the launch of Martha Stewart Weddings Philippines last Wednesday at Manila Pen, Benz had a chit-chat with Penk Ching of Pastry Bin and she updated us of her recent trip in China where she and her sister, Shen Ratilla, did a sugar & gumpaste replica of the now iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium especially commissioned by Coca-Cola, one of Bejing Olympics’ global sponsors.

Penk was also responsible for conceptualizing and creating our own wedding cake so meeting her in social events is always a pleasure.  The sisters are known for their unique and conceptual cake creations.  Much like the actual Bird’s Nest stadium, their latest creation for the 2008 Olympics seem to defy gravity.  Have a look….

The dramatic Bird’s Nest cake (a single-layered fruitcake as its foundation) was unveiled at the pre-opening ceremony cocktails organized by Coca Cola China and served as the grand centerpiece to that exclusive event.  The entire cake was baked in Manila but Penk and her sister, Shen Ratilla, were in China to assemble their masterpiece. Below is an excerpt for their Inquirer feature:

That a Pinoy-made cake was showcased at the Olympics, the global stage for the world’s best, definitely made all of the Pastry Bin team’s long days and sleepless nights worth it. “Even though I am not an athlete, I am just honored I can still represent the country in a different way,” says Penk. [READ MORE…]

Below is an Inquirer VDO of the interview with Penk detailing their Bejing saga. 🙂

This couple tied the knot early last March. Though the bride was feeling under the weather during her big day, it was funny to see her gesturing to her groom to only kiss her on the cheek. Their true-to-life love story, which sounds like a movie plot more than anything, is one of the most amazing we’ve ever heard in a long time. Here’s how John Mateos Ong, their wedding photographer, summarized their love story….

In 2002, Jacky Tiu, a daughter of a rich family from La Union, was abducted by kidnap-for-ransom gang. Five days later, then PNP chief, Gen. Arturo Lumibao came to her rescue. The family thought of leaving the country for good but Art vowed to protect them. A few years later, Art lost the wife he dearly loved to Cancer. That was when God gave a twist to the love story of these two… they became close and finally decided to tie the knot. I’ll forever remember the story on how Art proposed. It was through a text. Art sent “I love you” and her reply was “missent.” So he decided to put her name on it. Her reply? “Good night!”

• See Jong’s “Wedding of a General“ multiply photo album
• Watch the pre-nup video of the couple recounting their story
• See highlights of their wedding as edited by Buddy Gancenia