walk with me, jow

100 days to go!

2005-10-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

"Anong feeling ngayong malapit na ang wedding mo?" - this echoed in my mind last night when my housemate Foyan popped the question. When I checked our countdown...oo nga 100 days na lang! "Yiy and yey! - yan lang nasabi ko. After giving myself couple of minutes, a long list of things-to-do crammed up head: things we need to do na single pa kami...things we need to do for the wedding...things we need to do for our marriage. "Breath", I said. I know that Jojo and I are doing well. Life's not something we could practice, anyway. =P

For the rest of the days...gusto ko:

> kumain ng bbq at itlog na maalat sa beach house
> kumaun sa kubo ni Mang Jimmy
> kain ng masarap na mixed veggies ni Mama Thai
> mag-dinner ng persian deli malapit sa UP Chapel
> mag-jogging sa UP (weh?)
> mag-isaw sa tapat ng ilang-ilang dorm(nga ba? basta dami magbigay ng sauce dun.)
> mag-isaw pagkatapos magsimba sa "SLC"
> mag-frap kahit malamig sa Starbucks SSH(puro kain ata to..=P)
> tumambay hanggang 3AM sa Petron South
> pumunta sa UP econ
> mag-tennis, mag-tennis, mag-tennis!
> makipagkulitan kay Vincent at Andrei
> mag-goto at tokwa't baboy sa Henlin
> mag-chicken with gravy sa KFC
> mag-lefthand-drive kahit matraffic
> magpapilit mag-shopping kay Ate
> mag-divi for xmas kasama ni Mamy
> mag-jeep at mag-tricycle papunta bayan para mamalengke
> paupuin ako sa MRT
> kumain ng kanin at ulam for breakfast
> magpunta sa Manaog na siksikan sa kotse kasama pamilya
> mangatog sa Tagaytay at mag-order ng bulalo (kahit sabaw lang. yum. =))
> magsimba kasama ni mamy at daddy sa Fatima

oops... may seminars pa pala kami for the wedding. =) palagay ko di kasya ang 100 na araw. =)

D-I-O

2005-10-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Planning for a wedding is not an easy task. And planning it far from home, is much harder. It's a good thing though that we started more than a year before our planned wedding date. But no matter how serious we are...no matter how focused we are, our hands can only hold so much. And sometimes, we even lose the focus, with so many "other" things that we need to work on. At this point (called engagement, hehe), we're getting a real taste of what life's like being into a higher level of relationship (called marriage =P)...and aside from tangible matters, are the more important things that we need to prepare on...living together. And again, it's even harder to face this, knowing that we are miles away from each other. Yes, it's not easy but NOT BAD AT ALL. =) . Proud to say that we've already accomplished quite a lot:

Church - checked
Reception - checked
Photo/Video/Projector - checked
Coordinator - checked
Musicians - checked
HMU - checked

What's left on our checklist?

Florist
Joanne's Gown & Jojo's Barong
Entou gowns
Seminars and legal requirements
Wedding favors
Invitations
Cake

Wedding rings? That's something we need to classify for few more days. =)

Not Just a Prenup

2005-08-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

Jojo and I both share the same excitement in staring at photos. We didn’t necessarily attempt to master the craft, but we love seeing our faces in frames. Because of this, we made sure that we’ll have the kind of pictures that we’ll surely keep and keep looking at for the rest of our lives. At first we thought of it as an added expense, but later realized that we won’t have the same excuse (hehe) to spend for it. Thank God for sending our new friends – John Ong (Jong), Madge Lejano,,Bryan, ,Steve, and Robert because they didn’t just give our looks an unbelievable twist but they also shared fun with us in our La Luz trip.

It was last Thursday (Aug 18) when Jojo and I packed early for our scheduled shooting in Batangas. I have to admit that I am a bit-of-an-OC-girl but I wasn’t able to arrange everything appropriately: 1) we had our hitch, 2) we had a shortened direction and 3) we had a mis-reservation. I told Jong that we’ll pick them up in Shang and we’ll take care of the ride. However the day before our appointment, Jojo and I realized that it will be more practical to just meet up in Alabang since we will head South. It was a big favor from professional suppliers like Jong and Madge, but I still (warily) asked. To our great appreciation, Jong never showed any negative reaction. He even supported the idea. I even thought that our trip to Batangas will be for a party of four only. I didn’t realize that their staffs will be there too. Sabi nga ni Madge, “akala niyo prenup prenup-an lang ito noh?” and she was right. We ended up getting a ride and not giving one coz we only brought a car where 7 people won’t fit. Akala ko tapos na ang sablay sa ride, but the next episode gave another pit – I carried an unfinished copy of direction to La Luz and we only realized that when we were 5 minutes from the last spot instructed. I subtly called the office and requested for help on our route. Whew! Buti na lang mabilis sila mag-respond. But from the calls, we got the next bad news - reservation was messed up & they don’t accept walk-ins in La Luz. Kakahiya talaga dahil ang layo ng byahe at lipas na ang gutom namin. We went all the way from the city at wala daw food na puwede ma-prepare. =( From that point, although I struggled to get a hold of my feelings, the situations sapped my spirit in a fly. Fortunately, Jong and Madge threw stirring stories that fetched my mood. More importantly, Jojo gave me a comforting embrace and he calmly arranged everything thru phone calls. Jojo picked me up from where I tripped. =) Nadaan naman sa pakiusap ang managers ng La Luz and the group’s starvation was eased by a simple merienda.

Throughout the shooting – from make-up time to our last shots, Jojo & I felt good. We discovered that Jong, a professional photographer, could humbly fix my hair for me just to catch a good sun for us. We discovered that Madge, a professional HMU artist, could handle a camera so well and come up with amazing shots. We discovered that Steve (HMU), Bryan (photo) and Robert (lights) could play beyond they roles because they gave our hearts a big smile with their comic act. Our sincere happiness was evident in our photos. It wasn’t just a prenup. It was a day of new-found friendship with great people. It was also another day that my respect and love for Jojo intensified more than a thousand-fold. =)

Final Verdict on Reception

2005-07-21T01:25:00.002-07:00

First impressions don’t (necessarily) last. Beauty comes out after a closer look. More often, it is relative but our own standards can define its uniqueness.

This was what I felt about Taaleña – when I first got the chance to see the place last May and revisited it last weekend. At initial sight, it was a normal resto with a nice view of Taal volcano. But after several visits & comparison with other venues, I realized how special it was. For this happiness, I have to thank Jojo for his utmost patience in driving me literally to ALL-possible reception places in Tagaytay.

Taaleña’s breathtaking and relaxing ambiance captured my heart. I have entered numerous elegant ballrooms and grandiose gardens in Tagaytay that impressed me at first sight, yet only Taaleña gave me a lasting sense of complete admiration.

It’s a great birthday gift to have a final reception place. =)

Why January 14, 2006? Part 2

2005-06-25T03:33:00.000-07:00

Picking a date is just one part of the story... getting it is another one!

7 days after I accepted Jojo's proposal, we already went to Tagaytay to reserve the church. Di naman kami excited no? Hehe.To be honest, para pa akong hilong-talaba sa mga panahong iyon. Oo naman, there was definitely no doubt in my mind that Jojo is the man that I want to marry, but I must say that all fresh-brides-to-be like me required a considerable time to totally let the whole situation sink in. It's a LEAP, to be exact. Pero behind the mixed feelings, there's one (more) thing sure for that day - - we want Chapel of Transfiguration. Although Jojo & I never talked about it that much, we knew we both loved the church the first time we saw it in 2003.

It was Dec 30 when we went to Caleruega with Nanay Myrna, Tatay Jess, Kuya Jhae, Jan and Tito. Ang saya talaga, the whole family of Jojo! We asked for the listed couples for January 2006. Pero grabe! Puno na lahat ng weekends! Bigo talaga, so we went out and discussed the matter. We thought of moving it, but I was too disappointed to say something. We stayed outside for a considerable time before we came in to ask the staff again...then they told us, one Saturday was freed up. Our face lightened up because we really wanted to have it in January. To our surprise, the exact date made available was January 14! Para sa'min talaga! Whew, thank God!

So it's January 14...period! When the moon is full & half of the world will celebrate the Harvest Festival!

Why January 14, 2006? Part 1

2005-06-23T23:58:00.000-07:00

Before we even asked for the traditions in choosing a good date – we already picked one. Our main reason ? It’s simple! It’s the first month of the year! It’s a fresh period. Extended celebration pa ng Christmas season! Apart from that, anniversaries ng parents namin – Nanay & Tatay were married on January 26 while Mommy & Daddy were married on January 19 (silver, Jan20). Following their footsteps, following their successful relationships!

After small talks with elders, we understood that most couples choose a date when the moon is at its fullest. Tradition says that in such case, “your married life will be filled with luck and good fortune”. Maganda rin namang isipin na makasunod kami sa tradisyon kung sakali so I immediately checked the lunar schedule for 2006 and guess what - - - full moon nga JANUARY 14 at exactly 9:48PM !!!

Incidentally, an Indian officemate told me that January 14 is a very special holiday for them because it is the Harvest Festival or Ponggal. Celebrated by the Tamils, Ponggal marks the beginning of the auspicious month of Thai (according to the Hindu calendar). It is a festival of thanksgiving for a good harvest, and festivities were traditionally held in paddy fields when agriculture was the main industry for the Tamil community. These days, it is held in Hindu temples instead. Special prayers, led by the head priest, begin early in the morning in the temple. Devotees, dressed in fine new clothes, come to give thanks, prayers and other offerings (such as rice, flowers, etc). The highlight of the celebration happens when a preparation of fresh milk and rice, and sometimes lentils (dhal) is placed in an earthenware pot over an open fire and left to cook until the milk bubbles and boils over. As the boiling milk foam overflows from the pot towards the earth, a joyous cry is emitted among the devotees, as this signifies abundance and prosperity.

Wuhoo! Galing noh?! At least we know that half of the world will celebrate that same date with us which is exactly how we want our day to be - - - an unforgettable, relaxed, fun, fruitful occasion!

You 1st Believed [Hoku]

2005-06-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

I don’t think that Jojo & I ever had a “theme” song, but I’m happy to say that we share the same ears for music (though he’s definitely, undoubtedly a better singer than I am)

About the song…thanks to a friend from Accenture (Mabs) who gave this beautiful song to me. From then on, I prayed with my heart that I’ll have my somebody to dedicate this to – an inspiring song of sweet melody and lyrics.

How many times did I pray you'd find me...

How many wishes on a star,

Gazing off into the dark

Dreaming I'd see your face

Safe at home unafraid,

Captured in your embrace.

So many times when my heart was broken,

Visions of you would keep me strong.

You were with me all along,

Guiding my every step.

You are all that I am

And I'll never forget.

It was you, who first believed

In all that I was made to be.

It was you, looking in my eyes.

You held my hand and showed me life.

And I've never been the same,

Since you first believed.