Dedication To The Craft: Three Filipino Wedding Planners and Designers Recognized As The Best In The World
Teena Barreto, Gideon Hermosa, and Teddy Manuel are considered to be the crème de la crème of the wedding industry, having made it to Destination Wedding Planner’s 2022 to 2023 Powerlist. Destination Wedding Planner (DWP) is known globally as the strongest platform in the destination wedding industry, and has been responsible for gathering some of the biggest celebrity wedding planners, royalty specialists, and destination wedding experts to help make their clients’ dream weddings come true.
The DWP Powerlist 2022-2023
Each year, the prestigious group releases their “Powerlist” in order to recognize the best 100 wedding planners and stylists around the world. For the year 2022 to 2023, the list included not one, not two, but three Filipino professionals who excel in their chosen fields. These are global events planner Teena Barretto, and wedding designers Gideon Hermosa and Teddy Manuel. The three Filipinos were awarded in the DWP Congress, which took place from March 14th to 16th at Doha, Qatar.
Every one of the aforementioned professionals has made a name for themselves in the industry, having worked with some of the biggest stars both in and out of the country. The commitment and passion they hold for their respective professions not only make them stand out, but also serve as sources of inspiration to new generations of aspiring wedding designers and planners. In this feature, the three professionals share more details about their recent achievement, works, and inspirations.
Summary of Recognized Filipino Professionals
- Teena Barretto: Global events planner and founder of Teena Barretto Events (TBE).
- Gideon Hermosa: Renowned wedding designer and stylist recognized on the DWP Powerlist.
- Teddy Manuel: Renowned wedding designer and stylist recognized on the DWP Powerlist.
Focus on Teena Barretto and Teena Barretto Events (TBE)
Teena Barretto is known to be a seasoned events planner, as she runs the first global event planning company, Teena Barretto Events (TBE). The enterprise offers services for a variety of big occasions, like weddings, lifestyle events, and socials, among others. The company has managed both national and international events, taking them to a wide range of destinations including:
- Bali
- Tokyo
- Los Angeles
- Tuscany
- Rome
In fact, TBE intends to continue growing its foreign clientele, as it plans on establishing headquarters in Los Angeles by 2023. Some notable clients of the brand include Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, Judy Anne Santos, Matteo Guidicelli, Sharon Cuneta, and the Kramer family.
Creative Philosophy and Approach
When asked what inspired her to enter her profession, Barretto answered: “I had the strong urge to change the world (weddings) that only knows tradition, repetitiveness, and redundancy. I wanted to bring in my dose of creativity and fun.” Indeed, Barretto does just that with her brand’s aesthetically pleasing, luxurious, and grand signature style—which is always customized to fit her client’s wishes.
“It’s always been our goal to bring awe-inspiring ideas and executions that will raise the bar every single time,” she shared. Regarding her favorite part of the profession, she explained: “Each client requires a different version of our talent, skill, and creativity. And I think that’s my favorite part: delivering the dream, and redefining celebrations, each and every time.”
A Meaningful Global Achievement
Barretto’s inclusion in DWP’s 2022 to 2023 list actually marks the second time the events planner has received the organization’s award. However, this year is particularly special to her, as she gets to be recognized alongside other skilled Filipino designers. “I am sharing the stage with two equally talented stylists, Gideon Hermosa and Teddy Manuel. I know this is just the beginning for the Philippine wedding industry being in the map of global events planning and design. The industry is finally getting the spotlight it deserves. And that makes me so proud and honored to be the first one to pave the way for it,” she stated.
Advice for Aspiring Professionals
For those aspiring to enter the event or wedding planning industry, Barretto offers the following words of advice: “Carve your own niche and make your mark. Don’t go with the flow, be the flow. Know your strengths, amplify your strengths.”
