Heirs to Vietnam’s top luxury retailer marry in historic Manila church

The couple hosted a post-wedding party for guests at the Shangri-La The Fort Hotel after the wedding ceremony took place. Santuario de San Antonio Parish is located in the wealthy neighborhood of Makati, near Forbes Park, where the elite of Manila live.

The Catholic marriage ceremony of Linh and Phillip, the heir to Vietnam’s top luxury retailer, Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG), took place in the presence of friends and relatives, including many famous Vietnamese celebrities such as singers Chi Pu, fashion designer Diep Linh Chau and model Milan Pham.

This is not the first time a child of (IPPG) Chairman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen got married at this church. In 2012, Phillip’s older brother, Louis Nguyen, and actress Tang Thanh Ha, also became man and wife in this church.

Santuario de San Antonio Parish Church, a popular wedding site in Manila for elite families in Manila. The venue is limited to a maximum of 40 people for a wedding ceremony. According to a church rule, a ceremony can only last for 1.5 hours and people can only come 30 minutes in advance for preparation

In 2017, Stephanie Nguyen, Phillip’s sister, also got married at Santuario de San Antonio Parish.

And the eldest daughter, Jennifer Nguyen, tied the knot with her husband at this church in 2020. At that time, Linh attended as Phillip’s girlfriend.

The church was damaged and destroyed during World War II, but was rebuilt in 1975. To get married at this church, couples must book at least three months and up to a year in advance, with many complicated terms attached. The formalities must be settled at least one month in advance of the wedding..

One of the requirements is the dress code. The bride must wear a proper, decent and appropriate wedding dress. The church also stipulates the cost and time for organizing a wedding ceremony and gives priority to parishioners and people living in the area.
For couples living in the area, the price is 35,000 pesos ($644), while outsiders are charged 45,000 pesos if the wedding is held on a weekday. If it’s on a weekend and uses air conditioning, the price will be 50,000 pesos and 60,000 pesos.