Groom wears Charmander Pokémon-inspired barong on wedding day

Pokémon fan Leonardo Santos III wears a Charmander-inspired barong at his wedding with content creator Joelle Why on April 4, 2024. Photos courtesy of Oak St. Studios

A long-time Pokémon fan wore a uniquely stunning barong featuring the well-detailed evolution line of the fire-type Pokémon, Charmander, on his wedding day in Tagaytay last April 4.

Leonardo Santos III posted photos to the “Pokémon Philippines” Facebook group of his barong custom-made by fashion designer Santi Obcena and photographed by the Oak St. Studios.

“As a Pokémon fan, this was the best opportunity to have this made that showed a part of me. Charmander has always been my favorite and this was executed so well with the evolution line,” Santos wrote in his post.

Santos told the Inquirer that he had been a fan since he was seven years old, and he thought it would be a fun wedding experience to include his favorite Pokémon in his barong. 

He also noted that he shares some similarities with Charmander since the reptilian Pokémon always wears a bright smile, just like him. 

“My wife was super excited about the outcome [of the design]. She was the one who pushed me to personalize my barong on our wedding day. In her words, ‘it was definitely you,’” Santos said. 

Leonardo Santos III donning his bespoke barong. Photo at right shows the details of the barong featuring Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard. Photos courtesy of Oak St. Studios

How love ‘evolved’ from a dating app

Santos further revealed that he met his wife, Joelle Why, through an online dating application. After years of dating, their online meet-cute became a remarkable love story.

He added that their values in life and love for food bonded them together behind their different hobbies and interests. Santos noted it was easy to choose and commit to each other.

The couple tied the knot twice. Santos and Why had their first wedding, an intimate one, on Dec. 31, 2023, and their second, big wedding attended by their extended family and friends last April 4.