A freelance event coordinator dabbling as a wedding planner was ordered arrested by the court for turning a dream wedding into a nightmare and allegedly swindling a couple out of their hard earned cash under the pretext that he could plan their wedding ceremony.

Julan Crisale Cordova, a resident of 3F Amper Inting Building, F. Rocha St., Tagbilaran City posted a PhP24,000.00 bail for his temporary liberty after his arrest and detention at the Guindulman Police Station on April 27, 2017.

The traumatized couple forked out over PhP90,000.00 for their much-anticipated wedding day but were reduced to tears and embarrassment when the wedding was not what they expected.

The couple, still reeling from their devastating experience requested the Chronicle not to be identified because they are too embarrassed by the whole fiasco.

“Instead of tears of joy, we just went through the ceremony with only our love for each other that strengthened us through this miserable experience.”

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 1 Presiding Judge Lindecita C. Arcamo affirmed the findings of Assistant City Prosecutor Mary Lyn Enerias-Anora, after conducting an independent evaluation that Cordova “is probably guilty thereof and should be held for trial.”

The case for estafa is docketed under Criminal Case no. 19995 People of the Philippines, plaintiff vs Julan Crisale Cordova, accused.

INJURED STATURE

Interviewed by the Chronicle, Cordova expressed surprised over the charges against him and is considering filing counter-charges against the couple.

“We could have settled this matter and discuss whatever lapses I allegedly committed in our agreement. I delivered and was present during the ceremony but perhaps the wardrobe did not satisfy their standards.”

Cordova, known among the local event planners community counts among his clients Local Government Units, business enterprises, civic and social organizations and the academe.

WEDDING PRANK

In a complaint affidavit for Estafa filed by the couple, their ordeal started sometime on August 10, 2016 when the bride met Cordova who introduced himself as a freelance event coordinator and the owner of KOJ Productions “capable of staging the wedding events including the gowns, dresses, and wardrobe of the entourage.”

Impressed by the credentials of Cordova, the couple who are both working abroad decided to engage his services as their wedding coordinator and wedding wardrobe provider for a fee of PhP73,000.00.

According to court documents, Cordova allegedly duped the couple into believing that he had his own tailor by the name of “Racel Razo” who took their measurements and did the design of couples wardrobe including the wedding entourage.

Checks were issued to Cordova and someone representing herself as the tailor 

Razo for the initial down payment but the gowns were only delivered two hours before the wedding ceremony.

The ill-fitting wedding gown and wardrobe for the bridal entourage appeared “old and worn-out” were delivered two hours before the wedding on November 26, 2016 while her husband had to borrow the long sleeves shirt of the photographer since Cordova failed to provide the groom’s outfit, according to the bride.

DUPED

After the wedding, the couple found out that the tailor named Race Razo was non-existent but a businesswoman from Baclayon whom Cordova owned money and encashed the checks purportedly for the wedding wardrobe but was intended by Cordova as payment for his obligations to Razo.

The couple also complained that Cordova stayed only a few minutes to act as host during the reception despite receiving a hosting fee of PhP20,000.00.

CON GAME

Payment for light and sounds for a certain Jun Du during the reception went to the pocket of Cordova while the couple paid Dario Golosinda, proprietor of Fingertips Floral PhP42,500.00 for flower arrangements and decorations including drapes, bulbs, and a red carpet.

However, according to the complaint, Cordova withdrew PhP10,000.00 from Du claiming that he will provide the drapes, bulb and the red carpet as per instruction of the couple.

On their wedding day, Cordova again failed to deliver the drapes, bulbs and the red carpet and repeated demands for the return of the PhP10,000.00 remained ignored by the accused.

The bride told the Chronicle that they were forced to sue Cordova after efforts to settle their differences failed. (Chito M. Visarra)