That night she was rendered speechless after watching six films about her. The bubbly lady suddenly turned tearful, mushy and tongue-tied while standing in front of almost 300 of her fans. Mic in hand, she stammered through her thanks. But the humble person inside won over and through her overwhelmed state pushed her to call out her staff to join her up front to share the limelight. Not a bit contrived. All real. All sincere. All heart. That’s who Veluz is. That’s why is she is loved.

The 2015 WaW Videofest chose Veluz as the feature for its third run. According to Benz Co-Rana, Mimma to the WaW community, “Veluz is an inspiration to so many people in so many ways. It’s difficult to capture all of her in just one film. Even the six that we produced about her for this videofest does not completely capture her enigma.”

Benz adds, “By creating six different films on her, we hoped to give people different views of this fascinating woman: the designer, the boss, the daughter, sister, friend, mother and friend. For wedding suppliers, so much can be learned of Veluz’s work ethics. Her amazing relationship with her staff is something that I would want to emulate. Most of all I am amazed at how she managed to gain her success without sacrificing her family to achieve this.”

The stammering designer who stood in front of the crowd that night couldn’t believe what had just transpired. Even she was surprised at her own level of surprise! Veluz shares, “I was blown away by the films. Watching the different videos was a surreal experience.  With the video made by Bob Nicolas, the past suddenly came back, although it certainly didn’t feel that way when it was happening. I was just living each day, surviving each day. I was just trying to be better each day. I had no idea that I was making an impact on anyone. Those videos made me realize what a beautiful life I’ve had and have.”

In the deluge of emotions of that evening, Veluz recounts one particular feeling that continues to linger two weeks after the event and that is an overwhelming sense of gratitude for so many things. First is for the Weddings at Work. In her speech at the Videofest, Veluz said, “10 years ago WaW changed my life. This was when I won as Supplier of the Year.”

In our chat she explained that being the WaW Supplier of the Year made her realize that she had achieved so much without even realizing it. That award validated all her hard work, her sacrifices, her commitment to her craft and the great effort she put into getting to know her brides. Veluz felt that in receiving the award, she no longer needed to prove herself. She adds, “Then 10 years after WaW does it again. They’re changing my life again with this videofest. WaW is responsible for 2 of the most special nights of my life and I will be forever grateful for that. This validation coupled with sincere friendship, this is all priceless.”

Second are the videographers. Veluz shares, “The work of the videographers was amazing. Everything I wanted to tell they were able to bring to capture and being to life on screen. What I especially liked was how they were able to seize the essence of the different aspects of my life. The interviews of my family, friends and classmates were done so well. The videographers were able to capture that beautifully and present it magnificently. I was so touched that Bong of W@W Videofest: Veluz by Threelogy was able to capture the laughter and tears of my staff. The video W@W Videofest: Veluz by Jason Magbanua did of the brides was quite moving because what they said what exactly what I was hoping to make them feel.”

When most designers would want to take all the adulation, with Veluz it’s the polar opposite. Her bride is the Star. Her gown is the key in making this happen. Because months prior to the special day, someone with a pure heart had seen the true beauty that lies inside the bride. She captured that fire and translated it into a design, first on paper, then eventually on fabric, with the creative smattering of beads and layers of lace. Every being of the bride is sewn into that gown, stitch by stitch, bead by bead. And in every step of the process Veluz breathes her air of magic unto the dress. It’s like she silently utters a charm of love and happiness into each piece that makes up the whole. And when the bride finally wears her gown, she in enveloped in an unspeakable glow.

Although a Veluz gown stands out distinctively, it is the bride that really shines. You and I are among thousands who have ooohhhed and aaahhhed over Veluz’s creations. Stunning while on a mannequin, still nothing compares to the beauty of the dress when it is finally worn by the only person who can own it, the bride. In Jason Magbanua’s film for the 2015 WaW Videofest, a Veluz bride, Timi Gomez-Aquino, summed up the magic succinctly when she said “You know women, we live our lives for other people. You’re a good daughter first. You’re a good wife. You’re a good mother. But on my wedding day, that gown, that was for me.”

Veluz does more than create “the most beautiful gown you will ever wear”, as Jason Magbanua has dubbed his Veluz film. In fact Veluz does more than give you confidence on your wedding day. She gives you back your person so that on your wedding day you can own the moment. You can own your beauty…..like you always should. Because you deserve it. It takes a truly selfless person to do this.

She has her own kind of unique that she generously passes on to the people around her.  Perhaps that is why in the midst of her success, no one can argue that Veluz deserves all of it and all that is coming. Because when a person blessed with immense talent chooses to use this gift to bring love and happiness to every person who comes her way – be it the bride, the groom, her family, her friends and her staff – then this returns to her a million fold.

On hearing the numerous people talk about how she has inspired them, Veluz reveals “It is overwhelming to hear that I have made an impact on anyone. It’s amazing to realize that unknowingly I have left imprints with the people I have met and worked with. I did not set out to do that. I was just trying to be true to myself, doing what mattered to me most for the people who mattered to me most.”

When confronted with her achievements Veluz has this to say, “Fame and fortune will come. Just do what you need to do. What is really more important is to maintain the integrity and the dignity in the face of success. Do what is right all the time and everything will fall into place. That is the Law of the Universe.” She adds, “We need to change our paradigm of fame. I don’t need the glitter. None of that means anything to me. What I want is the continuity of work. What empowers me is that I am able to support my family and give continuous livelihood to my staff.”

On the evening of the 2015 WaW Videofest, Veluz stood in front of the crowd, tearful and overwhelmed. Beyond words, in fact. If truth be told, there was really no need for words. The applause, the hugs and tears that flowed were all that was needed. Love simply overflowed that night and for a very special reason, because the source of it all–the reluctant star, the undisputed Queen of the Aisle, the caring boss, obedient daughter, doting mother and loving wife–her cup of love is limitless.

In Benz’s words, “With the WaW Videofest we hope to share the amazing story of Veluz not just with the wedding community but with even with people outside the wedding industry. Veluz is an inspiration and the world needs to know about her.”

For Veluz the recent WaW Videofest holds a very special part in her heart. Veluz shares, “The videos enabled me to share my life with my children. There is nothing I want more in life than for them to learn the value of hard work. My fervent wish for them is that someday they, too, will find what they really want to be and live that life to the fullest, just like what I am doing now. My work makes me happy. I pray that they will find the work that will give them that satisfaction too.”

What is especially poignant for Veluz is, “The videofest literally made me look back at my life….so that I can look forward. Watching those videos made me appreciate my life in ways that I have never imagined before. I saw everything I’ve done presented in front of me and hearing all those people share how I have touched their lives has given me a profound feeling of hope. This experience has made me look forward again.”

Two weeks after that memorable night, what’s next for Veluz? She answers in her signature humor, “Maybe you can ask me in another 2 weeks. I’m still on a high from the Videofest!”

For Veluz, the future is waiting for you. The world is waiting for you. We wish you all the luck as you move forward with your awesome life.

You may think of this the close encounter of the artistic geniuses.

How else would you describe international wedding videographer, Jason Magbanua, doing the finale for the 2015 WaW Videofest for fellow world-renowned gown designer, Veluz Puno-Reyes?

Jason knows all too well the pulse of the WaW Videofest, having been part of the first run in 2009 and having been the subject of the 2011 Videofest. Now that this year’s event puts the spotlight on Veluz, Jason once again takes to his comfort zone, behind the lens.

When asked what the videofest means to him, his answer was, “I think the unspoken thing about this, it’s a friendly competition. So no matter how friendly we are, all these people are my ‘compares’, it’s still a friendly competition. Not to outdo each other but to just push ourselves individually of what we can do. Because the cinema, it’s a platform that we rarely get the chance to have. And regardless of how close the topic is or even if it doesn’t have mass appeal, because still the niche is wedding or to be limited about it it’s about Weddings at Work in general, it’s still a great platform to be featured in.”

This year’s Videofest star is no stranger to Jason as he and Veluz have been on the same aisle, so to speak, countless times and a run-in with the designer is an ordinary occurrence. Just another working day for both. But during the production Jason was surprised at what he learned about Veluz. Jason shares, “Before the interviews I did not think I could admire and respect Veluz more.”

On the treatment that he used for the film he says, “I already know that there exists a bond, this relationship that exists between Veluz and the brides. It’s plain to see. But to be able to present it in a visually arresting manner, that was the task, how to make it visually engaging.” He furthers, “A lot planning went into what I did. I suppose a third of the time was thinking about what to execute, what to do…more of treatment.”

On his work about Veluz, Jason shares, “The title of my piece is “The Most Beautiful Dress You Will Ever Wear.” And the set piece is a body form mannequin without a dress. I wanted to communicate that there is no one beautiful dress but all of these dresses owned by the brides that I talked to, their dress is the most beautiful for them. It’s the bond between the designer and the bride which makes it the MOST beautiful. It is up in the sky. It is intangible, it is abstract. It is in their minds. Whatever design the designer thinks of for the bride that is placed on that body form, based on their dynamics, that’s the most beautiful.”

The genius storyteller that Jason is focuses on Veluz through her brides and their deep relationship. Nothing else. In fact there is nothing else that will distract you from that while watching this film. Jason masterfully worked in a minimalist visual treatment to provide the viewer with an unobstructed scene. Set against a starkly sparse background with just the hint of fabric, a chair and bright, fresh lighting that draws your attention to the bride on the hot seat. No diversions present. Just the bride and what she has to say. The story is in her words. Just listen.

Jason creates the most perfect homage to the artistry of Veluz, a quiet listen of the work of a great artist, whose secret to creating the perfect dress for the bride is to listen to the person, to that girl inside as she pours her heart out and shares her precious dream wedding. Listening is Veluz’s her greatest form of respect for her bride. It is a kindness that she shows to all her brides and a kindness that Jason, who perfectly understands those silent but profound ripples, returns to Veluz in this sublime tribute.

What makes Veluz shine in this film and in real life, according to Jason, is “her authenticity. She’s a listener. She does not compromise. It is not about the money, no matter how expensive she is. It is how she treats her work, her staff and her brides. She’s is true to herself and to everybody.”

Jason Magbanua’s “The Most Beautiful Dress You Will Ever Wear” for the 2015 WaW Veluz Videofest.

No matter how great the admiration of the public is of an artist’s work, it does not carry as much weight as the opinions of her peers. With friends an artist finds her hardest critics or her most loyal fans. While true that brides here and abroad rave about her gorgeous designs, we still can’t help but ponder on what Veluz’s colleagues in the wedding industry think of her.

Ian Cruz, a long-time W@W Videofest contributor, gathered 16 of Veluz’s closest friends in the business sans the designer, set them up in a studio with instructions to share their guiltless opinion of Veluz. Imagine a dinner get-together of several friends with the singular purpose of shamelessly talking about the one person who’s not in the room. Something like the “Gossip Girls and Guys of the Wedding Biz” kind-of-episode.

Ian’s goal as the film’s director was to capture the spontaneity and honesty of a “barkada’s kwentuhan.” To achieve this he set up several cameras around the groupie and clipped mics on each person so that no remark could escape. What happened next resulted in more than 2 hours of juicy material that had to be crammed into 15 short minutes.

Ian has been in the industry 11 years in total, counting his years as a member of Bob Nicolas’ team before putting up his own in 2009. Like most wedding videographers, Ian has long admired Veluz but from a safe distance. For Ian her reputation as a sought-after designer preceded her and made her seem unreachable. After the shoot, his impression of Veluz was forever changed. From listening to her friends talk about her with so much respect and working with her up close and personal, Ian learned that Veluz is all humble and real. In his words, “she lets her brand speak for itself but she doesn’t let any of her success get into her head”.

Insider views on Veluz abound in this film. So abandon all pretense and give in to the craving to eavesdrop. The 2015 W@W Videofest proudly brings you “Love for Veluz, One Superb Designer and Friend” by Ian Cruz.

https://vimeo.com/128738291

Behind the scenes: