Another blessing

In the midst of searching for a reception venue, life hands us another blessing.

Jojo's family got together with family friends. See, his dad has been friends with these people for over 30 years. Their kids are all grown up now, but they used to play together and hang-out and everything.

Anyway, they went to DISH and BAGABERDE, with their party ending at past 3 am... last Tuesday night.

It was a despedida for our Ninang Elsa (the one who accompanied Jojo and his family in their pamamanhikan) which turned out into a reunion.

Now, even the 'kids' want to be at our wedding.

And everyone is excited.

And uhm... one of the Titas offered to print our invitations and missalettes for us!!! :) See, they have a printing press.

Now, someone already offered to send us money for our invites. And we intend to use that.

Ergo, big savings for us interms of personal expense :D

Really, heaven is kind. *bow*

*~*

Funny thing happened... someone directed us to Pearl Manila. When I called the hotel to have our date pencil booked (they offer good packages), I was told that the Ballroom was already booked. I still managed to book the pool but I was already feeling the crunch of not having a reception venue.

Telling my beloved all this later... he went roaring with laughter as he told me that he was the one pencil booked in the ballroom!!!

Sure enough, when I verified... it seemed my hubby-to-be (*kilig*) and I intended for separate receptions... bwahahaha
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Pre-wedding Gifts

Wednesday, Jojo gave me some pahabol anniv gifts...



Jack-jack now sleeps with me... and i've consumed half of the white chocolates there... the orange thingie where these are propped is actually a plastic chest we intended to buy for all our wedding thingies. The set of glasses went FREE with the chest and it was good omen-like because the design was lemon.

Our theme IS citrus, remember? :)

But then Saturday came and Jojo brought our pre-wedding gifts from his cousins to our house.

Like a child on Christmas morning, he watched me gleefully unwrap all parcels and delight in them.



Let me see... the orange trinkets and the pouches are intended for those attending my bridal shower... basically they contain lipsticks, other moisturizer samples and mini-lotions and funky bracelets and candies and even chocolate gold coins. There were also lots of towels for different uses sent. And a waist trimmer of sorts. And other bath accessories. (Cara and Orange, if you're reading this, we really appreciate the gifts... we love them!!!)

But of course, the piece de resistance would have to be... this



I have no idea how am going to wear the headband... and i'm thinking of how to use the veil pin considering I don't intend on donning a veil... But still, I kept trying the headband on. I was so giddy I showed it off to my family... and all my cousins kept kidding me that I should wear it to a Santacruzan first...

Yes, I feel more bride-like now.

*~*

It wasn't what we had in mind... but I think we now have a reception place.
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Major Rant I - lack of reception venue

In the initial stages of our wedding planning, I came up with a tentative total that we'd be spending for the wedding. It was some P300k, brought about basically by my kapritso when it comes to photography... and the inherent quantity of the families we belong to. But that only considered 200 guests (we are now up to 250). Then again, we also included expenses for everyone's gowns, etc.

Anyway, I already told my Baby that even if we had that much disposable income, I wasn't really willing to spend as much... thus the contemplation of an intimate, 60-pax wedding...

But ok, so we've decided it's going to be the usual reception...

I was coordinating an event for my company, which led me to Casa Blanca. I liked the place and found it cheap compared to Paco Park's garden (before, I couldn't bear to spend P20k for something that we're not even going to eat...).

Out of curiosity, I inquired whether Casa Blanca is available for my wedding date.

IT WAS NOT.

The short of it is, Jojo and I are now rattled for a venue reception, having waited too long to inquire/reserve sites we'd like (we really want a garden reception).

All Intramuros gardens are already taken.

And I damn well would not spend some P200k for a reception (think Manila Hotel, Manila Diamond, Manila Pavilion).

But I also wouldn't want to just have to setlle with whatever's available.

So... here I am, berating myself for poor planning... feeling pitiful that I'm not rich enough not to care about spending a lot of money... etc.

And still no reception venue.

Half of me has already thought up melodramatic, irrational claims...

I have already thrown tantrums in my head, like a child deprived of a whim.

I have already shed tears.

I am shedding tears.

And still no reception venue.

Jojo is as bothered... because he also doesn't like to settle with something we didn't really like... and because he knows how upset I must be.

So now, we've decided to pray over the matter... hopefully, love will indeed find us a way.
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Touched, Grateful, Blessed

It has often been repeated at W@W, especially when a future bride goes a-panicking about budgetary constraints, how the means to an end presents itself, usually in the form of an unexpected surprise.

My Baby, when he assures me, would often tell me how LOVE WILL FIND A WAY.

And it has been finding ways and providing means for us that continuously humbles us, and touches us... that so many are blessing our union, that so many are rooting for us.

So, thanks to G (a person I'm just getting to know) and Tita Che (who lovingly reminded Jojo that she is his Inang Kumpil and that she'd gladly render extra service for overtime pay, just to give us a nice wedding gift) and Tatang Rome, a fellow Blogberk (who told me he's planning to send us stuff which he hopes we can use for the wedding) and of course, Polo who has gladly offered to design my Save-the-date card. He's actually already sent it but I decided to "abuse" his kindness by asking him to tweak it a little more (the mums background is taking away from the text... the mums were my idea, he's so good to humor my ideas!).

And then, there's the balikbayan box from Jojo's cousin, containing these:



My Baby's Mom has asked that I open the trinkets with them around (yes, we're excited!!!). I believe we were gifted with Bridal Shower giveaways, some Kitchen Utensils and some Bath accessories.

For every offer/gift of something, tears cannot help but spring to my eyes. Jojo and I kept being silenced by the sheer gravity of other people's thoughtfulness... and love for us.

It's not what they give us, but that they think to give anything at all.

And so, we're grateful.

And I don't know if I worded this entry well... I didn't mean to brag, and I really didn't want to take away from their gifts by telling of the gift-giving...

But I want to acknowledge the generous souls who are touching our lives in the midst of our wedding plans.

Thank you.

*~*

Meanwhile, Jojo and I are hassled because Casa Blanca is already booked and we're now scared that the 'good venues' might already be taken. Thus, the coming super hectic weeekend... which would involve:

House/Car blessing, 59th Birthday of my dad, 28th Wedding Anniversary of my parents, 50th Birthday of my uncle - in Lipa

Jojo's sister's High School graduation

Opening of gifts (ahihi...)

Ocular inspection of possible reception venues

Ocular inspection of the CR at Paco Park
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LAST ANNIVERSARY (as an unmarried couple)

I couldn't find the LOVE STORY i've already typed, narrating how everything began for us 5 years ago.

Suffice it to say, it was a long and winding road filled with tears, trials, and warm memories, etc.

Actually, we've broken up more times than I can actually remember... but it's really such a hassle changing the anniversary date... because like what I said, it's been a battle to stay together and continue loving each other.

I can still remember the first kilig days of dating... and the nervousness of introducing him to my family (who was already very much in favor of a previous ex)... and the panicky feeling of meeting his family for the first time...

I can still remember our first dates, our out-of-town trips... how some kin of mine mistake him for a cousin...

I know how some friends of him have tried discouraging him to continue loving me, having given him innumerable problems that really tested and tried his love for me...

I still have his letters... where he has often written that he would always hold my hand... and intends to do that forever. Such things he's written to me as early as a month into the relationship, before the flowers showed their thorns, before days of rain arrived...

And words can never say how HAPPY I am that he fulfilled his promises of love...

I love you Baby, happy anniversary to us!

*~*

Amidst the financial constraints we have over planning our wedding, God sends little and big things our way that validates our belief that LOVE WILL FIND A WAY.

And amidst our current fights, life has found a way to reunite us again through others who believe in our love, and others who are blessing our union.

*~*

Thank you to Tita Che for your very generous gift. We really appreciate the love that goes with the gift...
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PAMAMANHIKAN: Finally!!!

Of course, I was nervous. And of course, Jojo was nervous.

Mom was hypertensive the whole week last week. His Dad was discharged only last Tuesday. His inang binyag also wanted to go with them, depending on her work schedule and trip to Boracay.

But it pushed through anyway.

It wasn't what I expected... then again, I didn't really know what to expect.

Our parents didn't even ask us anything... if we're sure about our decision, are we financially secure, do we love each other, what kind of wedding and reception do we hope for, do we expect anything from them, will we sponsor their gowns and what-have-you's, etc.

Although of course, they confirmed the date (Dec. 28) and the venue (Paco Park) and the day (Wednesday).

Seemingly a sign of good luck, Jojo's Inang Binyag (who will also be our Inang Kasal, as is our tradition) was married at Paco Park!!! So she regalled us about how she demanded to start walking from the gate because she wanted a looong walk down the aisle.

Our parents offered some advice... mainly, about how marriage is not something you drop like a hot potato in the times you find yourself not liking your spouse anymore... or when times are rough.

Our parents also assured us they'd be there to guide us and support us... because no parent can really turn their backs on their children.

And there was talk of NPAs, Masbate political dynasties and assassinations, FPJ, old age complaints, etc.

And yes, my Dad fell asleep several times during the pamamanhikan... much to the laughter of everybody when my uncle nudges him to wake up.

And yes, my uncle monopolized the conversation. He took after my grandpa, who, bless his soul, was fortunately already dead, otherwise the pamamanhikan might have lasted through the night. It was hilarious actually... since his wife already kept on pulling at his sleeve to stop talking... (my aunt assured me she'd have my cousin berate him about it).

It was weirdly funny and awkward, I know, for everyone... because the first hour, my uncle talked about anything and everything... as if the Arevalo family called on him to pay their respects. When Jojo and I decided to just talk to our mothers, who were exchanging stories and side comments as if they're old friends (thank heavens!!!), it was only then that my uncle remembered that it was MY pamamanhikan.

And so he started to drone on and on about marriage and self-sacrifice. I forgot how it ended with jueteng... but still, it was a lengthy speech.

Good thing that my beloved's family came there prepared for anything... and were good sports actually. They 'suffered' my uncle's advices and admonitions with good grace and humor...

And I can't say I was chagrined by what happened... because my uncle went there to do his part... as the eldest among my dad's siblings, he was the one that gave us blessing... and the one who officially welcomed Jojo and his family to our family.

And typically, there were lots of food.



Failed to take pics of my mom's cooking... her veggies were a hit though. Her sinaing na tilapia was also a hit. Jojo's Mom prepared orange spare ribs and seafood bolabaisse.

There was cake and buko pandan, but of course, my nieces and nephews (Pyro being the most behaved already, eventhough everybody had to keep running after him while listening to his incessant babbling... and this observation from Jojo's sister) refused to go back home for their afternoon nap without convincing me to buy ice cream too.

*~*

Jojo's Dad's intro:

Kami po ay nagpunta ngayon dito, dahil kinausap po ako ng aking anak na gusto na nyang lumagay sa tahimik. First time po naming mamanhikan, kaya po kung may pagkukulang kami, kayo na po ang bahalang magpuno.

My Dad's reply:

First time din naming merong namamanhikan samin eh.

My Tita's reply:

Sakin kayo magtanong, naka-dalawang pamamanhikan na ako.

*~*

Jojo's Dad's comment:

Kami ni Misis, dumaan kami sa panahong kailangan naming maghati ng miki bihon, kasi yun lang ang kaya namin. Ngayong binabalik-balikan ko yun, masarap alalahanin na kahit minsan, hindi ako nakakita ng pagsisimangot sa mukha nya

(as a supplement to my uncle's reminder about WANTS... and that we should be vigilant about it)

*~*

My parents were generally quiet... yes. I think they both believed that my uncle already delivered more than our family's quota.

Mom told me later: "Ikaw ha, wag mong sisirain yung pagtitiwala sayo ng parents ni Jojo. Ang babait pala nila."

*~*

My cousin's wife comment:

Mec, magaganda pala magiging anak nyo ni Jojo eh, ang gaganda ng mga kapatid nya oh!

*~*

Jojo's sister's comment:

Kuya, bakit ang liit ni Pyro?

Jojo's reply:

Hindi sya maliit, malalaki lang talaga tayo.

*~*

Jojo's Mom asked me whether i've already seen my Baby's BABY BOOK. I said I haven't enjoyed his baby pics yet. Jojo's Mom told me:

"Ay tingnan mo yung Baby book nya, ang cute-cute nya nung bata pa sya. Ngayong malaki sya na lang naman naging ganyan itsura nya eh."

*~*

Jojo's Mom tells my family that they've been advicing Jojo to pursue a career in the US after he graduated, since he's in IT and they have lots of relatives in California.

Jojo replies... "Eh walang MEC dun eh..."

*~*

I'm also happy to say that our families were all impressed with our Unity Coins... ones we bought the previous day at the Wedding Expo.



*~*

Pamamanhikan is a very old Filipino custom. Traditionally, the men in the groom's family accompanies him and his parents to formally ask the bride's hand in marriage from her parents. They bring food, and usually, the bride's other relatives are also present.

My father's family have observed this tradition very rigidly. They've even gone as far as Zamboanga just to ask for someone's hand... which was why it was so very important that Jojo, whose family didn't really observe it, would exert the extra effort for me.

Pamamanhikan is a wonderful, beautiful ritual... of two families agreeing to be one.