Geof Lagria refunded Php 30,000, our payment plus the damages he has caused.
October 14, 2016 – Friday
This was our last day at Montebello Villa Hotel, their check-in time is at 3PM and check-out is at 12 noon. EJ and I still enjoyed our stay in Montebello even we have regrets that our dream styled shoot here didn’t happened.
We woke up around 8AM and walked around the garden. We chit-chat at the hotel pool, talking about what happened on prenup session. We’re grateful Sir Marlon and his wife Ate Mildred were amazing photographers, we adore this couple. Ms Liz, my HMUA arrived early and didn’t leave us til the end of our shoot. She groomed EJ as well. And, we are surrounded with our dear cousins, stayed by our side, cheer us up, give us tight hugs and well wishes.
We can’t wait to see our photos but we were still questioning what happened to Geof Lagria. We really hope that he will reach out personally or talk to us if he received our full payment entrusted to his assistants.
Before 12PM, we moved to Bayfront Hotel. The hotel is within walking distance to SM Cebu and near to the pier. We chose to stay at Bayfront because we supposed to spend our half-day at Bohol but we decided to stay in Cebu and my cousin went back to Bohol after we had our lunch.
After lunch, I decided to lighten the color of my hair at Ricky Reyes. Nastress. Napagod. Nagpakulay. It was already afternoon when I checked my Viber account and saw Geof Lagria’s message. (I temporarily disabled my Viber notification for new messages during our prenup shoot because it popup each time) I saw his message Friday.
Haayz, I was not expecting his message would only be like this short (but I’m still thankful he messaged me). He was stuck in traffic with emergency task about his business might close down and didn’t bother to faced his responsibilities with us anymore.?
Sinadya namin ang Cebu only for this shoot. ?
He asked his assistants to showed up and I’m thankful Ate Rizza and Kim assisted us well. They gave one super high heeled shoes, it was very uncomfortable to wear. I needed their helping hands as I cannot walked straight. They gave me two gowns, one gold and one red. The red bouquet I requested became orange flowers. No flower crowns and no other props. No styled set for the shoot.
Geof Lagria was missing in action. No personal calls/no personal appearance.
I didn’t reply him that Friday because we were waiting for his action on how to settle us properly. I remained silent. It pains me because he responded like he was not worried about our feelings on wasted time that day. Ouch! I didn’t imagine that he will fail us. ? We trusted all our suppliers, we booked him and we really expected to work with him.
October 15, 2016 – Saturday
Saturday morning I replied…
Hi Geof, Manila na kami ngaun.Thank you sa apologies but we really felt bad and disappointed for what happened. I even cried.
It’s okay lang kung may iba kang emergency task, we will understand but sana nasunod un plano & nainformed mo kami agad. Mukha kaming tanga doon sa Montebello waiting for nothing. We cancelled our Montebello shoot kasi no time na, Sir Marlon was there around 1PM and told me he didn’t hear anything from you, I thought nagsabot mo for itinerary.
Tapos na makeup before 12PM, we didnt have lunch kasi nagrent si EJ umalis sila plus the traffic. Nakabalik sila almost 3PM. Akala ko naman you are preparing for something para samin that time na wala ka. We paid the 10K balance eventhough we didnt feel satisfied.
My cousins told me bayaran lang ang rent sa gown ug ang service nila Ms Rizza ug Khim but I still gave them full payment and even give them little extra for their dinner.
I expect you to refund the damage, we had our prenup shoot late and wala yun concept na I requested plus your services listed hindi mo naman inaccomplished. I am very confident with your portfolio, lagi kitang iniistalk because I admire your work. But you failed us super nanghinayang ako sa time ug sa stress that day.
I will wait to hear from you as soon as possible.
God bless
Glaiza EJ
After my message that morning, I was really waiting for him to call. I send this on his Viber account and Facebook page.
That day, EJ and I spent our whole afternoon at UERM hospital, I was looking at my phone, no calls, no new message. ?I was still chatting with Sir Marlon, Ms Liz and with my cousins that deep inside I’m not okay becaused Geof Lagria being not responsive.
That day ends without a new message from the stylist Geof Lagria.
October 16, 2016 – Sunday
No message from Geof Lagria..
October 17, 2016 – Monday
No message from Geof Lagria..
We went early morning at QC Hall to process our marriage application. It was whole day, we attended Family Planning Seminar at 1-4PM. After we met one wedding supplier (Practical Finds), I passed by at our parish church and prayed about it. I want to be free from disappointment. God how should I deal with this situation. Am I supposed to chase him, I waited for his call, first day, second day, third day or should I call him? Wait again?
Before going to sleep, I still browsed Geof Lagria’s online account, I read all our previous messages and it hurts me still. My girlfriends were asking how’s our shoot at Cebu, in Montebello and in Temple of Leah. I don’t know how to start. I didn’t post about anything about prenup session that day.
To released the pain, I made a decision to finally voice out my stress, disappointment and frustrations. I can’t keep this feeling inside, I remained silent these past few days but I cannot help but share my feelings because I didn’t hear from him again.
Geof Lagria Styling failed us big time in our prenup day
I checked Geof Lagria’s Facebook page browsing his amazing photos. I admire his works but I didn’t expect that he would do this to us, I feel sorry, upset, I expected too much. Where’s the services he promised to us.
I watched his Story on Instagram and I saw a very familiar face. It is Ate Rizza Cincoflores, I replied on his Story and nilakasan ko ang loob ko to message Ate Rizza and I was glad she replied.
The next day, I saw Geof Lagria messaged me.
October 18, 2016 – Tuesday
We had our food tasting this day and collected some bridesmaids infinity dress. I wanted to read it but another task requires my presence of mind, I skipped replying him immediately. Still no call.
Pls let me know po how to make it up to you po….
October 19, 2016 – Wednesday
Before I went to sleep?, I messaged Geof Lagria.
Hi Geof, received your message……….
Hay……. Ayoko magka gubot pa ta sa Chat Geof, I wanted to end this issue na, ugma pabalik nami SG. I wanted to move on. To clear this, we just expect a Refund from you from our total payment of what you think you didn’t deserved, thats all. Dont ask me how much, it will be up to you na.I will give you my BPI account to deposit.
Hope na hindi na ito mangyari sa mga future brides lalo na yun no time like us na ofw, we wish everything will be ready because we have you. I prayed for all our suppliers, I’m so excited to work with you all. But that moment when Im expecting #hurts
Our time is limited lang sa Pinas kahit na we wanted to maximize time, unexpected event happens. I accepted it naman. During that time, inhale exhale. Ayoko talaga umiyak but I cant help bur Diretso lang Smile, pose, shoot. Makaraos lang, I dont want to disappoint Sir Marlon and the team na anjan for us. I didnt call you, I’m waiting for you to call me… I give you time.. but I didnt hear anything from you that day.
Siguro hindi talaga para samin yun magkaroon ng stylist katulad ng mga nakikita ko sa portfolio mo.
Hanggang dito nalang Geof, thanks you understand.
Godbless.
Glaiza EJ
We all faced unexpected challenges things we didn’t see coming, it’s easy to get overwhelmed go around and self pity, wondering why it happened. I don’t want to panic that day, call and shout Geof Lagria. I expected him to call me, explain and fix.
October 19, 2016 – Thursday
I’m back to work at Singapore, I saw his message.?
Mammmm glaiz im really crying inside knowing that this happened to you. Esp to a good gurl like you. Hindi ko po talaga sinasadya. Im so sorry.I will send you your money as soon as i can
That was the last message I received from him.
I still believe that he will do his PROMISED again to END this issue na. I give him time to settle this week.
[Update: Geof refunded October 26, 2016]
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 ?
Let’s move forward, the damage has been done. Our expectations vs reality was now over. I realized that God has a better purpose different than the plan we choose for ourselves. I may not know now but in the future will be. Keep being your best, keep dreaming, keep honoring God. If you are really a good person I believe that trouble will not stop you but it will move you to the betterment of your craft. Used this experience as an opportunity to show your best in the field.
[…] Continuation: Part 2 […]