A Match Made in Heaven

The Little One

2011-08-17T15:32:00.002+09:00

Hi everyone my name is Raine Keistofer (from katherine mei and christopher). Mom and Dad is too busy taking care of me..I was born last June 29 at 11:44am via cesarean section, dad was there to witness it all (yeah, every process you couldnt imagine, dad was brave enough to capture it all).. Mom will do another post for our birthing story.. and oh..I'm a breastfed baby, yum yum!

Online Shopping ---> Premature Labor

2011-06-15T15:07:00.000+09:00

We are on our 35th week now, yey! Been busy doing online shopping last week, browsing and shopping all day. Guess what happened the next day? Was rushed to the hospital due to premature labor, tsktsk.. Not only me who gets excited to peek at those baby stuff we shopped but my little boy too. I really can't describe the pain, my tears are flowing while talking to hubby, it's really painful, now I can't imagine how painful the real labor is (scaring myself?), nah! See, we went to the hospital for check up, non-stress test and ultrasound last Tuesday (and patutty scored perfectly) then did some shopping the whole day of Wednesday, and yes, we are back at the hospital on Thursday morning because of that pain! yikes..

Most of the stuff from our online shopping are here, will ask Aling Sol to wash them this coming Friday, or will use the washing machine if Mr.Sunshine shows up tomorrow. Some of patutty's clothes were already been washed and ironed, what's left are those cloth diapers, cloth wipes and burp cloths and some bodysuit. Will post additional photos of patutty's shopping basket on our other blogsite. As for now, will continue my rest, the bed rest!

On our 34th week

2011-06-03T20:11:00.001+09:00

34 weeks...

Actually its 33 weeks and 3 days..not only am I getting bigger, heavier each week (yeah, the super sized me!) but I am having trouble sleeping. Patutty's frequent and more defined movements kept me awake and entertained, as if my son never gets tired of entertaining me, yes sobrang likot, or its his way of training me, my body clock to stay awake during those times in preparation for his arrival, should train dadad too anak. Id love to capture his movement thru a videocam but sadly as soon as I focused the lens on my tummy patutty will instantly stop whatever he's doing, shy type?, maybe he wants to tell me that his likot is for mom and dad's entertainment only.. Oh, here he goes again..I just love my little baby boy!

Who do I look like?

2011-05-12T16:50:00.000+09:00

We had our 3D/4D at Asian Hospital week after coming home..and here's our little bundle of joy..

Do I look like my dad or my mom?

Peace! this photo made us laugh big time, made in Japan daw kasi sya!

Oh boy! 24 weeks..

2011-04-01T22:41:00.000+09:00

Yay! we are on our 24th week.. actually turning 25 in a couple of days.. My belly button will be an outie soon, hubby and I thought of using the keychain that our city hall gave and it says " there`s a baby in my tummy" or something like that in english.

Our Story: March 11 Earthquake

2011-03-22T14:58:00.004+09:00

Last March 11, at around 2:44 pm, I`m starting to write a blog for my entry in Food Trip Friday, then suddenly i felt our house was shaking. Positively thinking that it`s just another ordinary earthquake ( we usually experience strong quakes here), i kept my calm and continue typing, but then after a few seconds the quake gets more stronger and meaner, the whole house seems swaying this time, I went out at the kitchen and saw our plates and other things got disoriented, I still waited for another seconds but it keeps on getting stronger, I went outside and saw people getting off their houses too, company buildings swaying in front of my eyes. I`m so scared that I couldn`t help but cry, I`m alone, hubby is at work and I`m pregnant. After a minute or two the quake stopped. I went inside, called my mom thru skype and before she can even answer it, another quake comes, still that strong that I didn`t think of anything but to go outside. The afershocks, strong aftershocks, continue.. every minute, every seconds, every hour... hubby came home few minutes after the first strong quake to check on me, I was crying and he calms me down. he went back to work assuring me that its all over, just after a few minutes another quake hit our place, i couldn`t recall how many times I went outside, my tummy was hurting, im freezing (winter here), and the strong wind seems blowing me to another direction. The whole time its happening Im with my mom and dad thru skype, calming and praying for me. I didn`t opened the television to get updates because I need to get out of the house every now and then. I only get to know that there was a tsunami and how bad the earthquake was through them watching news. Luckily our place is far from any body of water. I got dizzy with all the aftershocks we experience till night, and yes we can`t barely sleep.

After a day, aftershocks are still taking place, adding to that nuclear plant becomes unstable, limited food supply in the market especially drinking water, gas stations are closed, scheduled blackout, etc.. We packed some necessary stuffs and documents and placed it near or doorsteps, preparing ourselves, worst comes to worst.

Hubby needs to go to different grocery stores just to fill our pantry with food and water, even if it means biking with 9m/s wind going against your direction, even if it is kilometers and hours of biking, he doesn`t care as long as we have enough food supply.

And now, our air and water have radiation readings, we don`t use our air conditioning unit even if its too cold, hubby needs to use mask when going to work, we use mineral water to wash our veggies, cook our foods and even in washing our teeth, though the radiation level is way below health threat its never too wrong to be cautious, especially that I`m carrying our first baby.

On going home... as I`ve always said, if in a blink of an eye we are home, why not! But its not that easy. During those terrifying week, bridges here are closed, transportation are that hard and impossible, aftershocks were taking place every minute and every hour. now tell me how to go to the airport 4 hours away from our place? Week before the earthquake we already purchased our plane ticket for April because I`ll be giving birth in the Philippines, and now we are trying to rebook our flight to an earlier date but as per the travel agency, we have to cancel our flight and book for another flight. Going home is an option of course, but we cant just go home in a snap, if only we can why not! We are currently monitoring the radiation readings in our place, if this week seems to worsen, will get another flight back home even if it means paying another $$$$ for a new ticket.

All we can do now is pray that all these will come to an end and be cautious at all time.

After all these, we are still thankful and grateful to the Lord for keeping us safe in his arms..

Our Little One is a ______!

2011-03-08T14:44:00.000+09:00

It`s a BOY! Yey. Now, sino kayang kamukha, dadad or mommy? Both.. wee! hubby is super excited na to buy some shoes, kahit di pa naman nia masusuot agad, actually that`s the first thing I want to buy din..hehhe!

Dadad!

Mom

Love and Laugh: Happy Hearts Day

2011-02-14T22:04:00.000+09:00

Thank you yummy hubby for the surprise chocolatey!

I had fun playing hide and seek with them

It`s cute to see you giggling and laughing while I`m at lost finding those chocolatey goodness!

and it makes me fall in love with you more

You never failed to bring out the best smile and laughter in me

I love you dadad!

Baby Bump!

2011-02-09T17:36:00.000+09:00

Bump bump bump! photo taken, i think two weeks ago, during our 15th week..

Patutty is starting to kick, yup, i can feel it and so as hubby..more malikot these days. During our check up last Saturday, we saw baby`s kicking and sucking during ultrasound, patutty have grown from a tiny bean to medium fruit size or almost large, and is now 6.3 inches at 16 weeks and 5 days, though the book says that length is for a 19th week baby, we don`t mind baka matangkad si patutty like his lolo Ray..hehhe! and the doctor says everything is perfectly fine, including my weight, wahahha! I`d love to share some photos from our ultrasound but i`ll ask hubby to take some photos pa, tamad mode ako eh.. Excited for our next check up, hopefully we get to see if patutty is a boy or a girl.. what you think? oh we are on our 17th week!

What I love about being my husband`s wife

2011-01-29T17:09:00.003+09:00

First Ten things I love about being my husband`s wife- yeah 10 is not enough!

I love being pregnant for he spoils me a lot. during our first trimester my morning sickness is an all day sickness, from nausea and vomiting to back aches and being tired all the time. Now, we are on our second trimester, less morning sickness but vomiting and indigestion makes my day! Thankfully and lucky me I have a husband who cares more than I expects him to be..

1. waking up few minutes early than his usual, everyday just to prepare our breakfast and our dinner.

2. and still wakes up in times I`m super hungry, at around 11-12mn, 4-5am, just to cook something or prepare something for me to chew! Why can`t I do it myself? it`s 5℃ or less, in our kitchen and that temperature makes my tummy aches uncontrollably.

3. cleaning our house and doing the laundry, yeah, more than half of my wifely duties are taken from me.

4. never gets tired going to the market (at least 3 times a week) to make sure everything is fresh and the preggy wife is well pleased every meal time, talking about cravings and beyond! yes, we (baby and I) are very well fed!

5. super kulit of asking me what I want to eat, and if I`m doing alright.. sweet!

6. my support when those backaches strikes, my comforter that keeps me warm, watcher and referee (watching what i eat and how much I am eating) and my peace of mind.

7. never complains when I am sleepy at the middle of the day and he is not, when i asked him just to lay beside me until i fall to sleep then he can be back to whatever his doing.

8. how cute he is when reading the baby book and applying what he learns. seems he understands every bit of being pregnant.

9. talks to patutty every time, sometimes asking patutty sweetly to behave when pain strikes..

10. always have that big smile every time he sees my bump getting bigger and bigger. telling me for the nth time that I`m indeed pregnant.

A Blessed Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T02:23:00.002+09:00

CJ-Leah: Expect the Unexpected

2010-12-10T16:58:00.001+09:00

He suddenly said and I quote, “ Mahal, we need to get married next week!”… And I said, “Huh?!... Ano?... Bakit?!”

The stories in this blog are very romantic and “nakaka-kilig” just like the story of my closest friend, who created this blog. My friend’s story is definitely a match made in heaven. Our story on the other hand can be an episode in a comedy sitcom. To summarize how CJ and I met, let’s just say… we met through a double date gone bad… and I’ll leave it at that. I was a very carefree, spontaneous, and career oriented international student at the University of Oklahoma while CJ was a rebellious, but dedicated, and loyal US Air Force airman stationed in Oklahoma City.

CJ and I at my Sorority banquet when we were still dating.

Episode 1: The day we had a mutual understanding.

In 2002, there I was… a young chick in love. He was 19 and I was a year younger. We’ve been friends for at least 7 months. Outside my friend’s party, we were walking by the pool when CJ asked, “Leah, are you just leading me on?”. CJ wanted to know if I feel the same way as he does. I shyly said, “Yes, I’m leading you on”. I thought that I meant - I’m leading him to a relationship. I even remember blushing when I answered his question. But apparently, “I’m leading you on” in

USA

was a slang for “I’m just using you”. CJ looked pissed because he’s been used many times before. And, I looked so confused because I just confessed that I wanted to be more than friends. CJ asked me the same question again, and I replied the same answer. He was so mad that he lightly pushed me. I lost my balance, and I fell into the pool! Then, he just left! I was crying, confused, and soaking wet when I went inside my friend’s apartment. I told her what happened then she started laughing. She later explained what “leading on” means.

To make the long story short, I apologized to CJ and amazingly, he also apologized and said “It’s not a big deal.” He said that after our fight, he called his Filipina mom and told her that a girl was leading him on. His mom became so excited because she also thought that “leading on” also means “leading to a relationship”. CJ just shakes his head… That was the day we confirmed that we both wanted to be in a relationship.

Episode 2: The day he gave me an ultimatum.

We’ve been dating for 6 months. After he returned from being stationed in

Oman

for two months, I visited him in his new apartment. He was still wearing his military uniform looking very masculine, handsome, and hot (I’m a sucker for a man in uniform. LOL). He got down on one knee and utter words that I can not understand. It sounds as if, he was trying to propose in Tagalog. I only knew what he was trying to say because he was holding a ring. Hay naku, I think I cried and said, “Yes, YES, YES!” .

A few minutes after he proposed, he suddenly said and I quote, “Mahal, we need to get married next week!” At that time, my mind was occupied with engagements, weddings, and being so in love so I said “ Huh?!... Ano?.. Bakit?!”. Then, he said, “ Well, the only reason the military allowed me move out the dorms and get this new apartment was because I told them that we are getting married… SOON”. He said this with a sheepish grin while scratching his head. I thought to myself, “Well, good job on being smooth CJ!” I was a bit irritated about this news at first, but then, I looked at his hazelnut eyes, and I just melted …again. My dad calls this… the day I drank the “gayuma” (love potion). I remembered how he proposed to me and how much I love him. I don’t care if we get married in a week, a month, or a year. So… we set the date for our civil wedding.

Episode 3: The day the police became a part of our wedding day.

If the day of our civil wedding was any indication of how our marriage is going to be. I think, CJ and I are doomed from the start. The freezing rain in the cold February should have been the first sign. My hair was a mess and he picked me up from the University campus after my class. We were running late so CJ was speeding. When he turned left at the light! A blue, red, and white light started flashing behind us. “Are you kidding me?!”. A cop pulled us over for making an illegal left turn. The police officer asked CJ to step out the vehicle, and wrote a ticket.

When we arrived at the court house, CJ’s roommate (our witness) was a no show. As a result, we had a random stranger signed as our witness. When it was all said and done, we hurriedly ran back to our car to avoid getting a parking ticket. All I can say was “this is one heck of a day.” I think… we are both more worried about getting another ticket than saying the words “I DO”. We finished our day with a dollar menu meal from McDonald’s and champagne his roommate bought for us. We were very YOUNG, BROKE, but DEEPLY in love.

CJ and I reading a bible verse during our Philippines church wedding three years after we eloped.

Episode ??: The days after saying “I DO”…

The thing about being in love is that you forget many details…. Very important details like telling your parents about your engagement before getting married in court. After I finally had the courage and told my parents that I got married, my mom cried, and my dad didn’t talk to me for months. CJ’s parents on the other hand were so excited, happy, and extremely relieved that I was not pregnant! My parents referred to CJ as “the guy” until we finally had our church wedding three years later (after I graduated from college). It’s funny to think that my Dad ignored CJ for all those years and now, he is more proud of him than he is with me at certain times.

Today, 7 years and 10 months later, I can definitely say that our love for each other grows stronger each day. Our life together is filled with joy, tears, and plenty of funny entertaining stories. Stories like the day he found me drunk hiding under our Chrismas tree (I had my reasons). The day he freaked out and panic (in a bad way) after I told him I’m pregnant as an April Fools joke. And, a day like today when CJ made me a surprise breakfast, and on the note it says not to open my lunch box until I get to work. Of course, I never listen and I opened my lunch box anyway. Inside the box it says, “I said DO NOT open this until you get to work!!!! Love Mahal.” How the hell did he know that? I guess I should always expect the unexpected when I’m with him… LOL. This is just one of those little things that make me smile everyday. : - )

This is a recent picture taken by our friend at the Myriad Garden in Oklahoma City.

Wanna share your love stories too? click here or email us at newlywedscravings@yahoo.com.ph

We`re having a B-A-B-Y!

2010-11-20T19:06:00.002+09:00

see those lines?

Yes I`m officially Pregnant! Two pregnancy test last November 12 (11.12), we visited the doctor day after..to confirm through an ultrasound, and it seems it`s too early to see.. not that visible, 2.44mm.. so we are asked to be back today ( after a week) for another scan..and voila gestational sac is there with a size of 11mm or 1.1cm and that I am 5 weeks preggy! there goes all my abodo cravings! and all the laziness to post.. and that`s why hubby do almost everything!

Toby-Anne: Love in the Opposite Sides of the World

2010-11-07T23:39:00.001+09:00

It feels like heaven. It feels like magic, a magic of love.

DECEMBER 2008…How did it started? We are both in the opposite sides of the world. He's from USA and I'm from Philippines. Too far huh?! We met through internet, it was on Myspace. Actually, i don't open my account there that much. Then one day of December 2008, I was just hanging around in that site and then suddenly i got a message from someone. I was like, who is this guy???Hehe...A white American guy with curly hair!Hahaha!!! Oh in fairness, i like his hair and i thought he is cute. I looked at his profile but there's nothing interesting on it...Hahaha...So i read his message, he said Hi and then I replied to his message then he asked my ym id. At first, i was hesitant but i thought he is nice so I gave my ym id. Actually, I was the one who first messaged him in ym. We started to talked that time and I asked some personal questions about him. I was amazed when he told me that he listens to Filipino music, I thought that was cool. He listened to it eventhough he doesn't understand the language, weird?!Hahaha...I found it weird but i like it that he appreciates my country's style of music. Since then, we started talking at ym. Everyday and every night. I was also able to see him in webcam and he saw me too. But I was shy when I first let him saw me in webcam because I have a pimple that time…Haha...

We talked a lot and I found him very interesting. We talked about everything and I just realized that we have a lot in common. Talking to him everyday becomes my daily routine. I don't know why, but i felt that we had a very strong connection as if like we already met in person.

JUNE 2009…After six months of talking online, he decide to come to the Philippines and visit me and meet my family. June 23, 10:30pm, it was his arrival. Before that night, I can’t sleep, nervous and excited. It was a mixed emotion. Excited and happy because I am going to meet him in person. And then the time has come, waiting at the arrival area...Finally, I saw him. I easily recognized him. We smiled at each other. I hugged him. I can’t explain how I felt that time. I was speechless. I was mesmerized. I was happy. It feels like heaven. It feels like magic, a magic of love.

June 26 was my birthday and we celebrated it together with my family and friends. It was the happiest birthday ever. Then we went to the beach in Mindoro, Puerto Galera. It’s the memorable place for me. That is where he proposed to me. It was our first day on the beach after we had our dinner, we just sat on the sand and talked. And then suddenly, he asked me the magic question. Oh my gosh! I can’t breathe..Haha..I took a deep breath and asked him what did he said, just to make sure that I heard it right. He asked me again, I answered, of course, YES! June 28, we were engaged.

JULY – DECEMBER 2009…July 3, he left. He came back to the US. That was really sad. From July to December of 2009, it was a grueling time for us. We missed each other. But eventhough we were far apart, we still always talk. This was also the time that I was preparing my papers to go to the US and be with him. I applied for visa and got it on December.

JANUARY 2010…He came back to the Philippines and visits me again but at this time he will return to the US with me. The waiting time was over. We went to Bohol for our mini vacation. It’s in island called Panglao Island. We had fun there. It was a nice place. I also had my farewell party for my friends and family. January 24, it was our flight going to the US…We will be together from now on…

FEBRUARY 14, 2010….We got married!

I am here now in the US with my wonderful and sweet husband. He’s my destiny, my soulmate and my everything. It was really a match made in heaven…

More on Toby and Anne Kehn at their site The Girl in the Pink Dress

Wanna share your love stories too? click here or email us at newlywedscravings@yahoo.com.ph

Richie-Momai: Sa Tamang Panahon

2010-10-28T00:01:00.002+09:00

I believed na ang lahat ng bagay ay may tamang panahon.

I met Richie in 1992. Sinusundo lang nya ung brother nya hanggang napatambay na din sa house ng cousin ko. We became friends, not that close pero may mga alam ako sa kanya. Madalas din naman kami magkwentuhan. Dapat siya ung naging partner ko sa JS Prom kaya lang di cya pwede kasi may exam daw sya. So dun nagstart na tinutukso na kami, kaya lang may girlfriend naman cya nun. He became my dance and swimming instructor (di pa din ako marunong magswimming..hehehe). Kaya din siguro nagkasundo kami eh. In 1997, our friend died, when we’re on our way to La Paz in Recto, napaamin cya ng friend at cousin ko na gusto nya ko. Kaya lang ako naman ang may boyfriend nun (na parang wala din). So di pa din pwede. Nung payag na ko na magpaligaw sa kanya (kasi nga parang di naman totoo ung bf ko nun) sya naman ung may girlfriend ulit. So parang ayaw talaga sa amin…..1998, we’re both free (walang girlfriend at boyfriend), try daw naming ang 1 week….meaning magpretend kami na kami for 1 week. After 1 week, choice na naming kung itutuloy namin or not.. (parang pang love notes..hehe) June 14 1998, nagstart na maging kami. June 21, judgment day…..after naming mag mass ng 6pm, nagdecide kaming 2 na ituloy na lang ung 1 week. Alam ko na cya ung God's gift ko.....

That 1 week became 8 years of being boyfriend-girlfriend…..syempre dami din namin pinagdaanan, lahat naman ng relationships merong ups and downs…ang maganda lang di kami sumuko at di kami nagpatalo….

March 2006, we got married sa civil muna, Oct 2006 when we got married (finally!!!!) sa church.

And July 2007 when God gave us his greatest gift to us…Jigs….now…12 years of being together, 18 years of friendship..... Sobrang happy!!!!

Award: Versatile Blogger

2010-10-19T14:49:00.001+09:00

Yay! We received an award! Thanks to the sweet Annie Flor of Rolfeinna`s Blog for giving our blog A Match Made in Heaven and Cravings of the Newlyweds a Versatile Blgger Award. Nothing is much sweeter knowing that there are people who actually reads our stories, words wouldn`t be enough to say how much happy we are right now.. Again thanks dear Annie Flor!

Below are some guidelines that you need to know once you grab the award.

The Rules:

* Be sure to thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

* Share 7 things about yourself.

* Pass the award to other bloggers who you think deserves it.

* Be sure to let the bloggers know you chose them to receive the award.

7 things about myself/ourselves:

1. After Marrying T, I started to love all the foods I hate..

2. We call our movie time/movie nights "Sosyalan" and T prepares everything from drinks to chicha..

3. Both of us are eldest and the first in our family to marry.. so you bet how our parents bugs us to have a child..hayyz, its not that easy to make one, in Time.. in His Time..

4. T is good in details, facts and history and I`m good in sleeping..

5. A match made in heaven started when we are planning our wedding and cravings of the newlyweds started after our wedding, month after we moved to Japan.

6. T collects toys and loves doing scale models..and I on the other hand loves to buy rugs, mats, disinfectant, air fresher..

7. We are both crafty and artistic.. not to mention super resourceful!

I will pass the award to my fellow blogger who excites me in their every post

Maude`s Avenue of Thoughts

Happy 1st Church Wedding Anniversary to Us!

2010-10-17T11:46:00.003+09:00

I surprised hubby with a Bistro Themed Dinner... at our crib...

Invitation for the occasion.. placed inside the bicycle`s basket..

personalized postcard used at our church wedding, we still have a few left so I used it!

Let`s play! Posted notes with instructions.. Made 10 instructions until he gets to me..

Im at the living room waiting for him.. What`s the first instruciton? Get the key and find the invitation to get in, then as he entered the front door, another message was posted on his white polo asking him to wear it, as per the invites` request, next a note posted on our bedroom door telling him to groom a bit (perfume and comb lying on the bed), then a note was posted telling him to go to the desktop computer`s screen and read the final message.. and that`s to "click" Play (I compiled our favorite Michael Buble`s songs and other songs we love) and enter the living room... yeah! he was surprised, super that I thought he would cry..He was laughing with joy the whole time..

Fixed the living room a bit to have the "Bistro" Theme Dinner , yeah I even bought a checkered table cloth for that..Also Used my fresh mini roses for our centerpiece.. wanted to use some candles but the mood lighting of our lamp gives the effect I want..

Prepared Dinner

Oh, see those bee centerpiece? hubby bought that a year ago for our church wedding`s paraphernalia, but we didn`t have the chance to use it..so I used it as a centerpiece together with my fresh roses

Chicken in Rosemary and Lemon, Steak Cut (beef), baby leaf salad in roasted sesame dressing and

a sparkling wine...

Oh and strawberry vanilla and chocolate slice for dessert

and here we are.. wearing the same clothes we used last 8.8.8 (our civil wedding)..

Jeff-Vaneni: An Answered Prayer

2010-09-28T00:01:00.004+09:00

The right person comes at the right place...at the right time...when both your hearts are ready to be with each other...and with the blessings from God.

At the right place...

I attended the seminar training on 2006 at DLSU-SPACE because I really really really wanted to take the course. Jeff attended the same seminar training on the same scheduled date and place because he was required to attend but he was never excited to participate in the seminar. His motivation to attend was because he was courting his officemate who was also required to take the training seminar. We both worked in different companies and we both had different purposes for being part of the seminar but our lives became unexpectedly connected because of it. We were just plain seminar classmates back then...but now, we are much more than just classmates for life.

At the right time...

The real love story didn't take place at the training seminar. Even though we were just plain classmates back then, we still didn't know each other until after the seminar. Well, Jeff already knew that a certain "Vaneni" existed in the seminar crowd because I was one of the class' sanguines. Almost everybody knew me! Haha! I went out with one of his officemates (and a seminar classmate, as well) but it just lasted for few weeks. Jeff was still trying to be a martyr to his nililigawan, but later on, his love offer was declined. We were both heartbroken and we understood each other's pain. Though we became friends because of the heartbreaks, there was still no spark between us, probably because we weren't ready enough to give love another try.

We continued as friends, mostly through texts. We even went out one time with his friend to watch a movie and we even dine out casually. But it was all friendship. Time came when I was suddenly feeling something for him but I tried to shield it because I was scared to be hurt again. All my former boyfriends dumped me for another girl and I couldn't think of myself being hurt like that again, especially that time when I knew Jeff had totally fallen over that girl he courted. During the summer of 2007, while he was de-stressing in Boracay with his family, I told him that he could reflect on his love problem ...that if he truly loves that girl, then he should go and fight for her and I pray that he would be happy with his decision.

I prayed to God to make Jeff happy, even if it means losing him for another girl. That was a selfless prayer that really came straight from my heart.

When Jeff came back from Boracay, he texted me (or called? Hehe...I forgot na!) if I wanted to see Spiderman 3 at IMAX, MOA (because he knew that I had never been in IMAX before). Hmm...that was officially asking me out, wasn't it???? We went out to watch that movie. And since then, we had been hanging out together.

That's when the spark suddenly lit up.

when both your hearts are ready to be with each other...

It was a Friday and he invited me to dine with him at Josephine's in Tagaytay City. I was not prepared to go in such a lovely restaurant because I was wearing a sooo casual outfit (as in shirt and jeans!). But anyway, the food we ordered was great and I loooovvved the mussels! In the middle of our meal, he told me that he liked me. He said that even though he had courted girls before, he had never mentioned it to them, that's why he was quite uneasy but looked very determined. After dinner, he drove me home and right at my doorstep (or should I say gate-step?) he gave me a dozen of peach roses, with matching handwritten "Vaneni, I love you --Jeff" on the card.

Do I need to say how I felt that time? Kilig.

I gave him my yes, you can be my boyfriend answer at the night of his 28th birthday (I didn't have any gifts to give to him! Hehe). We decided to call each other hunnyjeffy and hunnyvanni that night too. I'm not the first girl he courted in his life, but I'm proud to say I'm his first girlfriend. As for me, he's my...uhhh...nth boyfriend. But he's the boyfriend who never broke my heart.

and with the blessings from God...

Eversince when I was in college, my sign for the right one was the guy who would give me pink roses (because it's my favorite). Nobody from my ex's gave me even a petal of it. But when Jeff and were celebrating our 3rd monthsary dining at a japanese restaurant in Market Market, he surprised me by handling me 13 pink roses! (Our monthsary was 13th of the month). I was shocked not because the bouquet looked bigger than me, but because I remembered that I prayed for that sign from God. Jeff swore he never knew of that sign, he just thought of surprising me with pink roses. I was so delighted and happy. The right one finally came. I feel sooo blessed.

I believe that God answers prayers, as long as he knew it was right for you. Jeff and I had lots of heartbreaks experienced before but I believe that God gave us the pain to mold us into person who we are right now and to prepare us for the right love.

Jeff and I got married on 2009. We now have a sweet little baby girl (ooopss...she's already a toddler...but still a baby in her Daddy's eyes). We juggle family and career in everyday of lives, but still manage to keep the spark between us...the love and the feeling of being the right one for each other.

Cheers for a forever marriage and love!

P.S. I want to share with you this blog I had from Friendster. A friend of Jeff's asked me before why I love Jeff, and here's my answer: http://vaneni.blog.friendster.com/2007/08/sagot-sa-katanungan-ni-pio-part-1/ and what are the things I like about Jeff at: http://vaneni.blog.friendster.com/2007/10/sagot-sa-katanungan-ni-pio-part-ii/.

Visit Vaneni's blog at: http://a-family-tale.blogspot.com (A Family Tale)

Wanna share your love stories too? click here or email us at newlywedscravings@yahoo.com.ph

Deck-Mae: Our Lifetime of Togetherness

2010-09-25T02:34:00.001+09:00

We do not need one huge event, we do not need 200 guests – all we needed that day were the two of us, our families and our Lord as we exchange our vows and commit to support, respect and love each other for as long as we both shall live.

I’m not a great storyteller. I cannot possibly do justice to our love story without it being overly cheesy or just bland. So, please allow me to share how we began our lifetime of togetherness by way of a letter to my dear husband.

Dear Deck,

Do you remember exactly when we met? I do not. I only remember that we used to pass by each other along the corridors of the Pamantasan unmindful of each other’s presence. Then came our fourth year and our circle of friends merged and we found ourselves nodding at each other whenever we meet at the hallways of PLM.

Do you remember exactly when we started hanging out? I do not. I only remember that you began to come to our dorm with some of our friends to do some school projects and started asking me about myself. It was always like that, you doing the questioning and me answering. Never the other way around.

Do you remember exactly when I fell in love with you? I do not. I only remember that we were walking down the beach in Subic with a magnificent sunset as our backdrop, you finally opening up to me with your thoughts and dreams. That’s when I realized that you have grown on me. I started loving you that very day.

Do you remember exactly when we became together? Of course, I do. I remember it was the evening of May 8^th, 2001. The two of us having our daily “telebabad” sessions right before we go to sleep and you just dropped the question on me. I told you I love you but I think it’s too soon. You answered me with a question: why should we waste time if we both feel the same.

Do you remember exactly when I knew you were the one? I do not. I only remember this story. I asked Mama Mary for a sign that would tell me you’re the one for me. A sign that I know is close to impossible knowing you hated giving flowers. I asked that you give me one white rose. On the day that I asked for the sign, I hoped and my hopes fell when you arrived at the dorm without a white rose in hand. We went through our usual day, hung out at the mall, browsed through shops. I was not myself when we entered one shop and I just moved from one aisle to the other when you suddenly came up to me and showed me a glass tube. I was close to tears already that time from disappointment until I saw what was inside the glass tube. A single white rose, floating beautifully in crystal clear water.

Do you remember exactly when you asked me to spend my lifetime with you? I do. It was the morning of November 29^th, 2007. After one huge fight and two whole weeks of us not talking to each other you asked that we ditch work that day to talk. I honestly felt that we would be breaking up and the weather seems to be in motion with my feelings as it was raining hard that day. After some time of no words being exchanged, you held my face and told me you cannot live without me. I was already crying knowing what you’re going to say next. Then you asked me, “what if I ask you now to marry me?”. To which I answered with just a nod, unable to talk because I was sobbing really hard, overflowing with happiness.

Do you remember exactly when we committed our lifetimes together? Of course, I do. It was exactly 8 years after we became together. May 8^th, 2009. It was simple, no frills, it was perfect. We do not need one huge event, we do not need 200 guests – all we needed that day were the two of us, our families and our Lord as we exchange our vows and commit to support, respect and love each other for as long as we both shall live.

Would you remember all of these when we are gray and old? I might not. But, I’ll keep up to my promise to love you all the days of my life.

Love,

Mae

EauJ-Joan: Our Love Story

2010-09-21T22:50:00.001+09:00

EauJ suddenly knelt down and asked the question!!!

Eauj`s Side of Story

It was 2005 when we first met at her local church where my dad spoke. It was very brief but something I somehow remember. And it was 2 years after since we came across each other again.

I was in the U.S. in 2006 when a guy friend introduced me to Koreanovela. I initially thought something was wrong with the guy for him to be promoting Asian telenovela to me and our other friends. But when all was said and done, I myself got hooked into it.

It was late 2006 when I went back home to the Philippines. It was then that I found out that the guy who got me into Koreanovela was influenced by a person named Joan Alapide.

2007 came and I was casted to be a choreographer at a big event of Every Nation Churches for their World Conference. It was during our preparation for that event when one of our production heads approached me and said, "Hey! I met you before during our Church anniversary 2 years ago. My name's Joan." And that was our first ever legit conversation.

It had been a casual friendship from there. I remember teasing her a lot whenever we talked and she seemed to be game for it. We weren't that close but since then I could say she had been a sensible friend of mine. We kept in touch through instant messengers and cellphone but it wasn't often and we hardly saw each other. The next time I saw her was around May of 2008 when I visited their technical dress rehearsal for another church production. It was a short catching up for the both of us.

It was around August of that year when I called her up to meet and introduce to her an endeavor I was into. Our schedules couldn't meet until October when we went to an event in Ateneo de Manila. After the event, we set another meeting for the following week and then I brought her to her place.

My parents had just arrived from the Middle East that same week and they wanted our family to be together for the weekend so we all went to Crystal Beach in Zambales. Joan and I were supposed to meet that week and so I sent her a text message that I couldn't because I will be w/ my family in Zambales. She sent me a reply asking where in Zambales and I told her, at Crystal Beach. To my surprise, she told me it's the exact same place where she and her friends will be spending the weekend over.

They arrived the following day after us and instead of that weekend being for family time, we ended up spending it with Joan and her friends. And that was to my family's delight because they liked Joan, especially my parents. And not only did they like her, they liked her for me.

That was the beginning of my deep friendship with Joan. Everything had blossomed from there. We found ourselves spending time with her friends and mine and we really got a picture of who each other really is respectively by sharing stories, spiritual beliefs, convictions, family matters and the likes. But we were protective of each other's hearts that we eluded from personal and romantic topics.

The friendship kept growing and growing until March came when I started recognizing and acknowledging to myself distinct feelings for her. That was probably the time when I was afraid she might notice my extra attention and concern and wind up losing the friendship. But even though I was obvious sometimes, she basically treated me the same way. I believe she's the kind of woman who would take me by my word and I never really said anything therefore giving her no reason to assume. I respected her for that.

The month of May came and I couldn't hold in it anymore. But I vowed that if I were to do something with my feelings, I would have to make sure that it is God's will and that her mom would be the first to know.

It was May 5th when I called up her mom to inform her of my plans of pursuing Joan and ask her for courtship. She was pleased that I called and said that whatever Joan's decision is, she will support. The following day came and ended. It was 1:00AM of May 7th when I nervously asked her if I could court her. She was shocked. She told me she hardly saw it coming because she thought that pursuing someone isn't my priority yet. She then gave me 2 weeks to pray and assess things for herself. And after 2 weeks, she finally said yes.. But with the condition that our relationship wasn't exclusive. I was fine with it and thought I would just have to prove myself to her. I was successful enough to do that and she was prudent enough to not date other guys.

Our courtship was like smooth sailing. We hit it off pretty quickly and became comfortable with each other. And from then on I knew she was the one and was confident that she felt the same way. It was July 30th when she verbally agreed for us to finally be an exclusive couple. We celebrated it by going to a concert by Ambrosia. A band we both love.

3 wonderful months have passed when I finally asked "The Question". It happened on our trip to Davao with my sister Hazel and our other friends. It was the final stop of our island-hopping when I hopped out of the boat to walk on the shallow waters of Wishing Island. I called out Joan to see the fishes I was looking at, which is actually just a prank for her to come over, and that's when I knelt down and asked her to marry me. It took 10 minutes of slapping, punching, and kicking me before she finally gave me her sweet "Opo". It was an eventful redemption to an equally eventful time exactly a week before that when we got stuck on the 2nd floor of an office building, fearing for our lives, when Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila.

Now, we are excited to tie the knot and begin the next chapter of our lifetime together. It is an adventure we are both looking forward to and a challenge we are facing head on. We have a bond held firmly by God that no man could ever break.

Joan`s Side

It was in 2005 during Victory Quezon City’s tenth year anniversary at UP Theater when I first met EauJ. It was just right after the service when his father, who preached during the service, approached me and my twinsister Joyce. After chatting a bit, he introduced us to his son who was wearing a blue polo then. That was our ten-second first encounter. It was only after two years until we’d see each other again.

During World Conference, my production manager told me about this excellent choreographer and that she’ll call him up to be part of our team. At that moment, I suddenly recalled our first meeting. I got excited to introducing myself to him and maybe he might also remember.

It was during the auditions for the World Conference when I had the chance. It was funny because I thought he wouldn’t remember me, but he did. After that, our friendship was something you could casual. We rarely hang out but we always saw each other during his rehearsals with the dancers. I still remember the times when I would bring food for him and his dancers at Victory Fort and see if they were well-taken cared of. (hahaha EauJ even told me many years after that he thought I was the team’s helper and not the production manager!).

EauJ and I were good team-players during World Conference…I helped him administratively with the dancers while he was their teacher. It was also then that I started admiring him and appreciated how he diligently taught his students. I even told Joyce and a good guy friend (hi BJ!) that I had a crush on EauJ but with the condition TO KEEP IT A SECRET! It wasn’t supposed to be said and we were just casual friends. EauJ never knew it during that time and it was then forgotten after a while J

After the World Conference, we never saw each other again. It was primarily because we came from different local churches and crowds that it was impossible to meet up. The only times we got to talk were through YM but it was very rare and we would only have brief chats of “hi’s” and “how are you’s”.

2008 came and EauJ called me up an invited me to a business endeavor. In the first three times he would call, I would always turn him down because I had other engagements or I was stuck at work. The fourth time he called up, I was able to finally join him in a symposium at Ateneo. It was weird at first because we weren’t really very close and it had been a long time since we last saw each other. But we eventually enjoyed that evening and I was able to meet his other friends.

We had set another time for us to meet about business but couldn’t find a common time. On a certain weekend in late October 2008, EauJ told me that he and his family were going to Zambales. Meanwhile, my friends were organizing a weekend trip for us to La Union but at the last minute, they decided for us to go to Zambales. I then texted EauJ to ask where they would be staying. To my surprise, my friends, Joyce and I were actually going to the same resort! Talk about God’s divine maneuvering! ;o)

That weekened was very memorable for my friends and I. What we expected to be a summer ladies’ getaway turned out to be a family trip! We instantly became friends with the Corpuzes. We went to the “perya”, sang our hearts out in a videoke gimik, swam by the beach, and attended the service at Victory Olongapo together.

Our friendship with the Corpuzes still blossomed even after the Zambales trip. In the short instances when EauJ’s parents would be back from their trip, we would always meet up and spend quality time together.

It was early 2009 when I first noticed EauJ acting differently towards me because he would send me messages about what he was doing at a certain time. I didn’t took notice of it because he would always tell me that he didn’t plan to be serious to anyone soon. What I took notice and appreciated about him though, is that he would always treat me in a gentlemanly way. He always respected my decisions whenever I turn him down to give me a ride home. Our conversations were always friendly as we were conscious in protecting each other’s hearts. We would talk about our opinions in politics, the bible, our favorite movies and songs. I was grateful for the friendship with him because I knew he loved God more than anyone in the way he talked and shared his beliefs.

It was May 2009 when EauJ asked me if he could court me. It came as a big surprise because I never expected it. I asked him if I could pray for two weeks about it since I didn’t want to be hasty in giving my answer. After much prayer, and counseling, I said yes to his offer of courtship.

Our courtship went wonderfully! We enjoyed talking, laughing at many things, and praying for each other. I began to see more of the guy who loves God, lives out his convictions, and is gentle to the woman he is courting.

We officially became a couple by July 30, 2009 and I then told him that he was my crush during the World Conference. He was surprised and amazed (I wish I had taken a picture of his reaction! J). hahaha what is always said, “Good things really do come to those who truly wait!” was very real to us! J

In October 2009, we went to Davao together with four other girls for a 3-days vacation. While swimming around the last island in Samal, EauJ suddenly knelt down and asked the question!!! I was soooo shocked and soooo happy!!! After ten minutes of splashing, punching and kicking due to shock, I said “Opo!”

Now that our wedding is up ahead, we look forward to having more shocking but fine times together! Truly God take pleasure in surprising us in mysterious ways. I can say that EauJ’s world and my world were initially poles apart, but God had His way in allowing us to meet and merging our worlds together. He is the REAL and ONLY AUTHOR of our love story and we give glory to Him alone. J

Fred-Nadia: You are the Answer to My Prayer... I Will Love You Forever

2010-09-17T08:12:00.001+09:00

Mahal mo ba ako? Kasi mahal kita…

We first met summer of 1999.

Hubby was my classmate during one of the subject I enrolled (Filipino- Retorika).

There was an activity on that day, where we need to find an opposite sex partner to be interviewed

regarding his biography and present his/her it in an artistic way (using flowery words).

We were instructed to go out and choose one person in the class to be interviewed.

As to speak for myself, since I was from an all-girls section during the 1st semester and

I barely knew few guys who, unfortunately was not in that class,

I decided to stand in one corner of the corridor of Perfecto Bldg at the 6th floor

and wait, thinking “ Kung sino matira sya ang iinterviewhin ko”.

Suddenly Fred came and said, “ me partner ka na?”. “Wala pa.” I replied.

“Pwede tayo na lang?”, he asked. “ Sige.” I answered.

To cut the story short, I interviewed him. We presented each other's biography in front of the class.Period.

We never talked after that. Summer class had ended.

We came across each other every now and then in corridors and in class but never really talked.

Though I had this little crush on him thing at that time but denied it coz he's baduy. But honestly, his is cute.

After 2 years (2001), during fourth year in college he became my group mate in thesis.

Friendship grew within the group and so was us. He was the silent-type.

He only talked when someone asked him. I haven’t got any personal information from him except the general one.

Our group mates started teasing us which as for my observation did not affect him so much.

To respond, I also ignored him since I don’t like him also because I find him baduy.

I started to feel something unusual at the end of the semester (just broke up with my less than 1 month BF).

It riggered when one of my thesismates informed me that Fred kept looking for me when he arrived at our

little boarding house we rented for thesis purpose. Unfortunately, i was never in the house when he looked for me.

I was shocked by what my thesismate told me. I said, hmmm maobserbahan nga.. They also said that " iba daw treatment ni Fred sakin, sa kanila usual lang, sakin special".

One day, I was alone at the house eating lunch when he arrived and joined me. He had his own food also that was bought in one of the karinderia near SLU (Saint Louis University).

He then offered me one of his ulam that i cannot eat (yuck hehe) adobong bituka ng baboy. As I declined he said ' if di ka titikim magwawala ako dito sa sahig" with a matching smiling face.

And I do really found him cute that time.I wondered what the hell he was doing there the fact that he can eat at the karinderia near the school and won't waste money for the fare just to eat lunch at the house.

But it was a kilig feeling. By then I cannot ignore and set aside my feelings for him anymore.

That feeling was within me ever since we did met but I kept on ignoring it.

Maybe he had a space in my heart in the first place.

Well I did admire him the moment we met.

I kept on insisting that I don’t like his porma even though he’s so handsome. For the the entire semestral break i did miss him. By the time we started second semester and met with my friends and thesismates I finally declared to them that i like him na.

They say, what we don’t like is the one who comes in our way. And kinain ko lahat ng sinabi ko… “ Di ko sya type.. and never na magiging kami.”

We became close when 2nd semester started. He even invited me to attend gatherings in their church. I also asked some favor from him.. Tagabuhat ng PC ko na pinarerepair ko hehe.. Actually kaya ko naman buhatin yun e.. I just want him to notice me frequently and be with him.

Even though I know for a fact that he might just want me to be his friend. I even had this guts to date him at Mister Donut along Session Road while waiting for my PC to be fixed and ask him up-front if he had a GF.

And he did say he has! Ouch!.. he said he has and she was older than him..(well i am older than him you know, 1 year ahead) I felt disappointed. We never knew he had a girlfriend.

But I am still in love with him.

As the days had passed, the more my feelings for him grew.

And it was really hard to fall in love to a guy you can never have.

It was 2002 already. No progress yet. I didn’t want to expect anymore for I don’t see any signs from him.

Maybe I am just a friend to him. Maybe sooner or later I’m going to forget him and move on with my life and so is he.

I also started praying that I think its time for me to love and be loved.

And whoever he is “God please give it to me na and if possible he will be the right one na”

The power of prayer did not failed me. Last week of Feb 2002,

Naging masyado frequent na ang texting namin. We even reached 4AM in the morning talking things about us.

Topics that was never been discussed to anybody. Like ideals, dreams, our own biography.

Sabi ko nga kalkalan ng BAUL. Thank God 1PM pa ang pasok ko sa school.

That went on for days. He also asked me to eat outside.

Well i was surprised because he never treated me or any of our group mates.

Nakakaduda kasi bakit ako lang ang nililibre.

His class also was only from 2PM-3PM Monday, wednesday and friday and I till have a class around 7PM.

But he was there at school. Well his best friend was my classmate in some of my subjects in 2nd sem.

Baka nga naman sabay sila umuwi at me gimik pa sila kaya gun.. hayyy…

But super kilig nako nun. I was enjoying his company as long as I still can.

Eventhough I don't know the true story if his so called "older GF"

One night, that was Feb 28,2002. I can't take it anymmore. I have to know "kung ano meron sa'min".

I felt so much pain already because for few months I didn't see any signs from him eversince and

then suddenly in one week time ganun sya sa'kin? Hindi pwede ganun.

I had to ask. So I asked him, “Bakit ba ako nalang lagi mo tinitext o nililibre? Nadyan naman sila.. But why me?”… His reply was. “Ikaw lang kasi mabait at Ok kausap”. OUCH! Yun lang pala sabi ko na e friendship lang talaga…Then, another text came. “ Nasagot ko ba yung tanong mo or me ineexpect ka pang sagot?”…

Waaaaaa nabuhayan ako ng loob. So I texted him immediately. “Me iba pa bakong dapat expect?” I asked.

“Kasi naj, kung totohanin kaya natin ung mga tukso nila?” he replied.

“Dahil lang ba sa tukso ang rason mo kaya gusto mo totohanin?” I asked again.

“Ayoko ng ganun. Gusto ko seryosohan” I added.

“Seryoso ako” he said again. “ Ano ba nararamdaman mo?” ang kapal kong tinanong.

“Kita tau pag break mo sasabihin ko kung ano” he said.

That night I wanted to die. I know what he will say tomorrow. Feeling kasi ako. and super mega over alam ko wala syang GF noh!

Well.. we met at 4PM March 1, 2002. My hands were so cold at that time. I even thought of running away

and not talk to him anymore. I was so ashamed of what I asked. Feeling ko ang cheap ko at ako pa nagtanong.

But still kinaya ko harapin sya ng 4PM. We just went to Dunkin Donuts kasi madami tao sa baguio that day panagbenga e. Puno lahat ng restaurant sa session road..

so sa lower Session nalang kami. We ordered two donuts and cups of chocolate drink. At that moment gusto ko lumubog sa kinauupuan ko kasi nakatigtig na sya sakin.

I was looking somewhere while we talked. I was nervous. I can't explain what I felt at that day.

Ang haba ng seremonya nya. He said he was ashamed because he can't give everything to me at that time.

Because he is not rich. That my parents might not approve of him.

Oh my God.. I said to myself. Mukhang magbaback-out pa ata to. I have to do something.

So I said “ Pareho naman tayo wala pang maipagmamalaki. Pwede naman natin sabay pagsikapan ang success sa buhay” etc etc etc..

So after that he asked.. Mahal mo ba ako? Kasi mahal kita… I said oo.. so tayo na? he said yes tayo na..

I felt numb after that. I still had a class from 5-7PM. He said we will meet tomorrow.

But as i got out from the class he was at the main gate of SLU waiting for me.

It was also the first time a guy lend me a jacket for I was trembling so hard from cold weather.

It was march 1,2002 and baguio city was still at the peak of its cold season.

Ako pala yung sinasabi nyang GF that is OLDER THAN HIM.

I never knew that sinagot ko na pala sya nun 2nd yr palang kami virtually when he ask

"pwede ikaw nalang partner ko?" and i said.. "sige"

I told my self. I will make it last.

For the next 6 years, we both encounter so many problems as we enter this relationship.

We started with religion differences dilemma that lasted for more than 1 year.

I cannot give up what I believe and so he is. I started feeling not comfortable with my boyfriend

attending Sunday service with a friend and not me. I did also attend Sunday service in my own.

I was thinking how can I teach our children? What faith should they believe in?

Me or him? How can we lead a family that don't unify even in the basic element of a family which is religion?

I did entrust that to God. I also talked to him about it. We agreed to check each other's belief.

But I was too smart to let him try mine first for I have a strong faith that I could lead him to my belief.

With prayers, Fred successfully submitted to my belief. I did not forced him. I just let him attend services

and bible study. I even cried on the day he said, I will attend your “doktrina” and be an Iglesia Ni Cristo.

To my surprise he is more active than me. I often come with him when he attends bible study (doktrina) because

I have work at night (teaching college students). After 2 months of bible study and 4 months of attending no

lapse services (Thursday and Sunday) he was baptised.

Haha I did not even go with him at that day (baptism day). I was very sleepy and not feeling well.

He just laughed and go.

I thought relationship is just that simple. I thought we are fine already.

But as the days and months and year passed, new trials and problems entered our life. Financial, family issues,

time and a lot more. I thought of giving up, always giving up but he never gave me up. Never.

We entered a year that the relationship was too shaky.

But he did do his part and so am I.

We shared expenses already at that time. He supported his family and I supported him.

We joined our monthly salary to survive for the next payday for some part of his salary goes to his family.

He was a bread winner by that time. But nobody knows what my part in that situation was.

I kept my heartaches and pains to myself though he knew it but can’t do anything.

Sometimes I though I didn’t deserve that. But I know he too don’t deserve it.

And I know he needed me just to be there.

That lasted for years… And I became immune to the fact that he did support his family.

And I can’t demand anything from him. I used to dream of getting married by the age of 24-25

with a husband that is financially capable of buying me things that I like with cars, big houses and big savings.

But It seems what you really want doesn’t always what you get.

But I still hope that we can improve. I Just hang-on there.

2005-2006 was a very shaky year to us. I did not want to hang on already.

I always cried and think I did not deserve this. But what he can do is to pamper me.

I did not hang on already I want to get our of the situation. But he just held me and gave me promises that

I don’t know if it will still come true. I just hang on to the Lord.

Too many problems filled me. It was not just financial issues, security issues but also family issues

especially to his side. But I did take it. I did make it. Because he was there holding me.

He never left me even though I was about to leave him.

I realised many years ago, that love is enough to hold you and give you hope.

You just have both to be there side by side when one is about to fall.

He held me up when I was about to fall. I held him up too when he’s about to fall.

And both of us lifted each other.

And here we are about to enter a new life hoping and praying for more blessings and happiness

just like what we started before.

And now still holding each other toward the path that God has planned for us especially that Briel is now

with us.

Rhyan-Jonah: Journey and Hollywood

2010-09-13T11:24:00.003+09:00

Rhyan stood up, kneeled beside me, and with stuttering and almost tearfully, he asked that most magical question that every lady has been dreaming of hearing.......

I call Rhyan and I’s love story a journey; mainly because it hasn’t reached its end yet, and by the Lord’s graces hopefully it will continue even if both of us leave this earth. We want our life together be a legacy; not of unattainable status, but of practical ways of expressing love and going through hurts and pains alongside the sweet moments between a man and a woman who are in love. Our story has a lot of facets as well, with each of our intertwined experiences pointed out on the very foundation of how we ended up together. Actually, it is very hard for me to summarize our story, but for the sake of romance, I had our beginnings narrated here. Ours wasn’t a fairy tale, but of living reality that love isn’t just love but also passion, understanding, forgiveness, patience, and even sacrifice.

Our story may have begun ever since we are born, in a matter of 4 years apart. We could have seen each other in the Doulos Book Fair when he was 7, and I 3 years old. And as I go along narrating it, you may be able to nod with us in agreement in this declaration.

We literally first met last January 15, 2007 in the premise of our classroom, way back in my college days. We are actually expecting him, and he came in a bit late. He went inside the classroom donned in long-sleeved polo, slacks, and a backpack, saying sorry profusely for being late as he wrote his name on the whiteboard: Engr. Rhyan Madrigallos. Yes, he is our Communications and Systems Analysis Design professor, and I am one of his students who are on our last trimester before graduating ECE’s that same year. I remember having that smile that for the first time I will have a professor who is a few older than me, and yes, found him quite charming I guess.

Do you believe in magic? In my technical realm, with having a degree in Engineering, I do not believe on that until I experienced it myself. That same day when we first met, and after he remarked, “Ikaw pala si Jonah…” when I responded on the roll-call for attendance, I felt a strange nervous feeling for the first time in my life. Call me “corny”; but with my strong personality, and a boyfriend beside me at that time, I experienced magic.

In three months we went along in a friendly relationship. There isn’t any strange nervous feelings anymore, and was immediately dismissed by my busyness in taking the lead on our final defense project. Gaining closer to our graduation, I met a lot of struggles in my personal life, in which are actually “stepping stones” in getting closer to Rhyan. There was planning to break up with my boyfriend and then meeting a potential one, project defense blues and fierce competition, graduation, board exams. That was a transition in my life, and all throughout this, what I can remember is Rhyan talking to me on my cellphone while he was vacationing in Hong Kong just to ask me a favor of asking the university guard if they are open on May 1.

Fast forward graduation. It’s been several weeks since Rhyan started calling and texting me. He called up while I was marching down the PICC hall to take our seats before the rites begin. He wasn’t able to make it that day, but instead greeted me Congratulations being a Cumlaude over the phone. I remember my friend beside me asking who the one I’m talking to is, and I wasn’t able to resist telling that it was “Sir” Rhyan, just saying Hi. She just smiled, may be she got it at that instant and never asked to elaborate. Good grief.

Fast forward May 13, 2007, alongside the gray sandy shore in Quezon, it was a family outing but I chose to mingle with the wind and the waves. I remember what happened the day before when Rhyan took me home after a long day together. We are alone, and there, he kissed me and whispered “I love you…” in my ear. Going further in reminiscing, I remember another guy, who went in our house and cried telling me he loves me, all this time that I have a boyfriend. I also remembered that same boyfriend whom I eventually got tired with because of his immaturity and broke up with after graduation. I remember the coming board exams, with Rhyan offering help in reviewing for it. I remember a whole new life I wanted to have, the transition, the career.

The morning of May 14, 2007, Rhyan asked to see me for the last time before he proceeded on his training in Subic. We went to Quezon City Circle; may be the only quiet place where we can walk and talk that early. He raised again his feelings, and his question. With that whole day of contemplating as I anticipated this moment, I responded, “I love you…”. Then it was official, the blooming of our journey together.

It was a rough start. First we were faced with a lot of intrigues and raised brows on the matter. My reputation in the university, that is, my life story is of interest in my colleagues. The news of Sir Rhyan and IECEP President Jonah being together spread on the whole student body. The professors, and even the Dean went on two thumbs up approval (they don’t favor the ex-bf…er, and they really care huh..=p). One group reacted supportively, not to Rhyan, but of another guy that they say I should have chosen instead. There was this Rhyan’s “playboy” reputation that my friends doubted if he is really sincere. Another group responded positively though and because of this matter, had my friendship with them restored after months of rivalry way back in the final project defense. It created a stir, and became a “hot item” at that time. In all these things – the limelight, the attention, the “showbiz”, I struggled. In everything, Rhyan is my silent supporter, trying his best to cover up everything with more love and living to what he promised of changing for the better for me; of proving his sincerity and proving to the world that he is already a changed man. I decided to focus on dealing with the board exams instead, but somehow, the struggles took its toll: I did not pass.

Alongside my start of facing the corporate world was my relationship with Rhyan. Him becoming my mentor went on with my living to each of the first times I encountered in this life. Our days are but simple times of always being together, trying to have dates on each of the day in the calendar. I remember we constantly check if we had dates on a Tuesday, or a Wednesday. And then there was checking if we already went out on a 16^th, or the 4^th of the month. There as this also a dare of eating on every restaurant in Metro Manila, beginning with all famous fast food chains and even to carinderias around. We also challenged ourselves to ride all public transportations; from tricycles, to buses, trains. To date, we haven’t ridden a ship though together. We have simple dreams of our own, just making the most of this new thing in our lives; him for the first time having a serious relationship, and I, with some doubts that we will continue long. But in the course of months I grew in love with this man, madly and deeply. Who wouldn’t believe in magical feelings and fascination that once in my life will I be meeting someone who thinks and even speaks of the same words and at same time as I do? That man whom a lot, and I really mean a lot, was saying have strong semblance with me? Our so far the best, and most amazing anecdote on that was when we were riding a jeep in Laguna one morning. The driver glances at us from his rearview mirror from time to time as if checking out on us. We are lone passengers then and by the time we were about to get off, he took his guts and asked us if we are siblings. We said no of course. He changed his question and asked if we are married, we patiently answered no also. Then finally, he asked if we are together, like bf-gf, we responded positively, and without battling an eyelash, he told us, “Alam niyo kayo ang magkakatuluyan, kasi magkamukha kayo eh. Magiging magaganda at gwapo ung mga magiging anak niyo”. We said thank you, and asked if he and his wife look alike also, he said he doesn’t have a wife yet, “…kasi hinahanap ko pa yung kamukha ko”. We bid him goodbye and he said blessings for our relationship before he sped off.

Those are our golden times. Rhyan and I have dreams of travelling the world together to pack on many memories in our hearts that we will carry along and share to our families and the whole world. It is our vision on investing on wonderful and beautiful memories so that we may be able to have innate joy that will cradle us in times of hurts or pains. But then, as I’ve said, ours wasn’t a fairy tale. We have our own share of “dark” memories.

Rhyan started to work as an ROV Pilot/Technician after we got together. There are a lot of times that he is abroad, and obviously, we have to separate for quite sometime. That matter took its toll on our relationship that it came to one day, our whole thing got messed up and the next thing that happened was he left me. Up to now, I couldn’t remember what that exact reason of our separation was, but I remember instead how things in my life got screwed up as well. I had my biggest pain in my entire life during that time. I remember crying every single day, may it be at work or in the house. I refuse to eat, nor to think of anything but to wish Rhyan will come back. I almost went on resigning with my job then and thought of going on some far province to start my own life. Nonetheless, I thank God for friends who were there to support me all those time. But there even came a point that being with them made the matter worst unknowingly, because one of my rescuers was a guy I have a past with. All things got screwed up, and after months of agony and a hurtful confrontation in their house, I, too, decided to call everything quits. After saying my tearful goodbyes to his mom and sister who was there with us at that time, I decided to let go.

That time I already had my nods on Rhyan’s brother to become part of his wedding entourage. Rhyan’s mom, who knew everything, texted me and told me she is worried I won’t show up at the wedding. I assured her I’ll be there, and that I’ll be ok. She just said her prayers are with her son and me, for I became a huge part of their lives already. I never had that sincere gesture in my entire life from a bf’s mom, and it made my heart soften with hope of getting back together. That was the start. As told to me by Rhyan, his heart grew softened as well and realized every unfair thing he had done that he started to come back to me. I told him of some more time of evaluation, and he respected it. We got back together during the wedding, but the better of our decision to start things all over again came several days after. “Love is sweeter the second time around.”, and in careful opening of our hearts again, our beautiful collected memories got the better of us and instantly wiped all the hurts away.

September 6, 2008, it was some months after we welcome the idea of getting married that we decided to attend a bridal fair in PICC. At that time, we are blessed to have chosen a real date, not a “tentative” wedding date that we used to say when we crash in other wedding fairs for some freebies and free food tastings way back. That was actually like our 3^rd or 4^th time to attend. After my business meeting that morning, I went straight to meet him and go to PICC. After having several bookings that afternoon, we decided to call it a day, so I thought.

Rhyan hailed a cab after we got out of the gates of PICC. I remember him going to the driver and asked me to stay, and seemed to tell him where we are heading. Honestly, I thought of a surprise regarding eating some “very special” ice cream somewhere, the thing that I have been craving for and asked him days before if we could eat somewhere after attending. He just said a casual “yes” on my inquiry regarding the ice cream. After some impatient moments, I noticed a familiar hotel along the way, and even making him remember my story about my officemate who has been there and raved about the whole place. I was surprised that that taxi stopped exactly in front of it, and I even exclaimed that he must have mistaken my anecdote of asking him to stop. Rhyan remained silent, paid the fare, and motioned me to come down. I was startled, and said that there is no way we can check that place out. He just told me to follow.

And there it was the breathtaking view from a rooftop restaurant. The waiter even asked us where we wanted to seat. Rhyan mentioned he had a reservation for that evening, and to my amazement, I was lead to a slightly secluded spot beside the pool. And there it was, a beautiful table setting filled with rose petals all over. I was really shocked and fascinated at it that only after I got seated that I asked what the fuss is going on. Only I had been interrupted by a waiter asking if he’s going to serve the food, and in so few minutes proceeded to eat. And with every dish served I laughed because I realize that it was the reason why Rhyan is asking every favorite food days before this. And then finally getting a hold of his attention, I asked what this is all about. He instead stood up, went to the side and marveled at the wonderful city lights scenery below. He motioned me to stay beside him. As he held me on his embrace, he told me he just wanted us to have some “break” over the tiring things we went through the past week, and of the past year that we had. We had some reminiscing, and went on promising again of love and faithful commitment. I never had such peace in my life during that evening. I thought that was all I am asking, and expecting of.

And the dessert was served: Banana Split! How lovely and exciting, that was the thing that I have been craving for! I told him that he really did made me eat a “very special” ice cream, and started to thank him for everything he had done for me that night. The waiter even handed me flowers, and was so touched with a gesture. After he left, Rhyan stood up, kneeled beside me, and with stuttering and almost tearfully, he asked that most magical question that every lady has been dreaming of hearing: “Hon, will you marry me?”. I actually hit him for I don’t know what to say, it seems like the very easy answer to that was so awkward to say at the moment, but nonetheless I said yes, and he had me wore a beautiful ring that glistened against the candlelight. I am the most happiest, and in cloud nine.

Fast forward, we lived up our dream wedding last January 16, 2010. It was a Hollywood-themed wedding, favorably enough to describe our beginnings as a showbiz couple in our small world. We are happy to pull it off for a budgeted amount, with all our blood, sweat and tears on haggling suppliers for better bargains, and we couldn’t deny the vast research we did as well. For our honeymoon, we also had our first overseas travel together; and my first as well, to Hong Kong, that memorable place where my first Friendster comment for him revolved to. I remember telling him then that my wish for him was the next time he’ll come back there for vacation, he has someone with him already. Little did I know that after almost 3 years, it would be me. (For the touching story of our wedding preparations and honeymoon, click on …)

Today, after almost 6 months of our marriage, and a big trial that almost had us destroyed, we are healing and had our love gone deeper than before. I also learned that I am pregnant with our first child, which we know is God’s rainbow after the storm that we just went through (For the story, click on …). I have yet to undergo an Ultrasound in some weeks time to know how old our baby is, but nonetheless, despite of feeling strange in my tummy and being nauseatic all the time, and with my husband abroad as of the moment, I feel a stronger purpose and destiny for this family and Rhyan and I’s lives to be intertwined as one by the Lord’s divine appointment and blessing.

Our journey is just starting. Who knows where the next destination is, which will make it more exciting…

Rhyan and Jonah Micah Madrigallos

January 16, 2010 / Valle Verde 6

More about Rhyan and Jonah at their site

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Poy-Nani: SAKTO

2010-09-10T00:12:00.000+09:00

Parang mangga at bagoong, suka at chicharon, malamig na coke sa mainit na panahon

April 2005, days after my college graduation, I am uberly excited to find a job. I am now a full pledged Inhenyera, yeeehah! =) Gone are my Letran days, I am now very much ready to face a new chapter of my life. During one of my job hunting days, I came to pass an electronics company in LISP 1, Cabuyao Laguna. I gave my CV to the guard in case they have vacancy for an IE post. The following day, this same company gave me a call and scheduled me for an exam and interview. I had couples of interviews na before that pero iba yung feeling ko talaga sa First Sumiden. May something talaga.. I said to myself “dito ako magwowork!” When I got inside the hall, there is a tarpaulin which states my fave bible verse. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a better future.” Another sign from Papa Jesus! =) Kaloka ang mga interviews na pinagdaanan ko, nose bleed kung nose bleed. Days after my 5^th and final interview, I didn’t receive a call from the HR. I was a bit disappointed. Tumbling ako sa interviews tapos di pala ako matatanggap. Sadness talaga pero I remember my mommy said “kung para sayo talaga yan, sayo talaga yan”. Then one afternoon, I got a call from Sumiden. So it only means, Sumiden is really for Nani. Sabi ko na e! =)

Since then, First Sumiden became very special to me. I get to meet new people, new responsibilities and of course new friends. I never thought Sumiden will be extra special to me because this is the place where I will meet the bestest husband in the whole wide world!

We are both in a long term relationship then, both are settled that we are going to end up with our current partners. Not until we saw each other. The world really stopped for me when I first saw Poy. I never felt that before to any guy, only to him, just to him. Yes it was physical attraction at first but it became deeper when I got the chance to meet him. He’s the most sensible guy I’ve ever conversed with pero super patawa din at the same time. Since then, we became the most popular “love team” in the company. Hot item ika nga nila, laman ng bawat chismisan. Simply because everyone knew that we are both in a relationship. But knowing Poy became a big realization for me. I missed so many things in my life. I was too tied in a relationship that’s not making me happy, pinaglalaban ko lang all the while kasi nanghihinayang na lang ako sa pinagsamahan. I gave up my BF then not because of Poy but because I want to be happy. And it’s the same thing with Poy, even before he met me, his relationship with her GF then is very rocky which eventually made it easier for them to fall apart.

After couple of months, he started courting me. I was a little hesitant, I am afraid what people might think to us. We were not even an official couple pero susme ang dami ng chismis and I’m not used to that. Kulang na lang e ma-feature kami sa showbiz magazine. But Poy is really different, he is such a wonderful guy. He made everything light and easy for me. He made it easier for me to decide to love him back MORE.

June 3, 2006, 8:00pm, Puerto Galera, we became an official couple.

We became more popular after that. Haha! Showbiz na showbiz! Kesyo finally daw e inamin din namin. Well, we just told ourselves “bahala kayo mag-isip. mas alam namin ang totoo.” That’s why we ended up with Panday theme song. “Ipaglalaban ko ang ating pagibig” ang drama namin ni Poy. Dami kasing mga inggiterang frogs. Pero madami din naman ang naging happy for us.

June 10, 2006, my 22^nd birthday, it’s Poy’s first time to meet my family. We were both nervous as my family still doesn’t know anything about Poy. I can still remember Poy’s pale face when I introduced him to my family. But God is really good, my family welcomed and accepted him well. Next thing we know, kasama na sa mga family outing namin si Poy. He also became my constant church buddy. Since then everything went well in our relationship. I love his family too! Super babait nilang lahat and made me feel part of the family na. Months passed and it’s like I’ve been with Poy for years. He is such a great guy, very loving, sweet, loyal, supportive, generous, understanding, humble, obedient, and a God fearing man. I don’t know if there is such a thing, pero sobrang SAKTO kami ni Poy. Parang mangga at bagoong, suka at chicharon, malamig na coke sa mainit na panahon =)

Exactly 2 years after the first time he met my family, Poy again made one my greatest dream happen. The wedding of my dreams! =) We tie the knot in Josephine Tagaytay on my 24^th birthday, June 10, 2008. 2 months after, God blessed our union with a news that I am 1 month pregnant! Yey!

Poy is my Knight in Shining Armour! He made me realize that there are so many things in life to be grateful for. He saved my life from regrets. He made me feel super special and loved. We are both indeed BLESSED to have each other. I am enjoying every day of my life as Mrs. Jhanil Aguilar.

More about Poy and Nani at their site

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Yochan-Clarissa: She`s In Love with a Japanese and He`s In Love with a Filipina

2010-09-08T08:09:00.000+09:00

he said to his Father that he' s not asking for forgiveness for marrying a Filipina but he wants to introduce me that I am now his wife and

whatever happens, it' s his own decision and his responsibility

" Bunso, kung magkakagusto ka rin lang sa hapon, mayaman na ang piliin mo. " That' s what our Ate in our working place told me when I was still working as an entertainer here in

Japan

I' m in love--- The club is our dating place that my co-workers and other guests started to noticed. I was a third timer then when I caught the managements attention---I don' t have a number of guests anymore. I was told of not letting Yochan get inside the club anymore coz he' s distracting my work and other guests are jealoused because of him ( pwede ba, di ko naman sila BF noh,sagot ko lang sa isip ko but I don' t have a choice coz I have to "work" out some pambobola to the guests to keep them coming at the club ) Since then, I learned to escape just to be with him for a date, of course with the help of Yochan's friend and my co-talent as our partners in crime. I know the risk of getting caught-- we have to pay for some penalties, we could go back to the Philippines without finishing our contract but it didn' t stopped me for not seeing him once in a while kahit na bawal. I' m a prisoner of love...But then lahat ng talents nagkabistuhan na including us, most especially US. My co-talents was pregnant by Yochan's friend and was talking about their marriage after our contract, but I remained as a talent and was extended for another 6 months after I promised that I won't break the rules again and became the groups` leader as my 4th timer in Japan. It wasn' t easy coz there' s a lot of pressures now after the bistuhan but then another talent was asking me like," Ate, I would like to have a date with my BF, help me!! " hayzzz... Makakatanggi ka ba sa ganyan? I know it' s bad but that' s the truth...Hayan at tumubo na naman ang sunggay ko!!

He' s in love--- I thought that Yochan' s just playing around coz I didn' t hear anything from him about his plan for us in the future nor introducing me to his parents. He proposed to me a week before finishing my contract for 6 months as 4th timer that time and decided to meet his parents. I don' t really remember the first meeting--I was nervous!

After a long waiting of processing of papers, we became man and wife and then we went back again to meet his parents for the second time around and that time was different!

It' s the only time I heard the truth that his Father is against me and Yochan didn't tell me anything about the arguement between him and his father even before he decided to get married to me. Gees!! That time I was nervous because of that long silence between both parties and that I was told by his Mother about the revelation.We are all kneeling at a coffee table ( japanese stlyle ) me and Yochan, and they're all facing in front of us. Yochan breaked the silence--- he said to his Father that he' s not asking for forgiveness for marrying a Filipina but he wants to introduce me that I am now his wife and whatever happens, it' s his own decision and his responsibility. Even if his father is against of our marriage, Yochan fighted for his love for me. After that, his father asked his wife to prepare a hotpot. While his Mother is preparing the hotpot, she was crying -- she told me that hotpot is served during winter time, she said that it means that I am now accepted because for them a HOTPOT is shared by FAMILY and that time it was summer and then we both cried in the kitchen.

" Bunso, wala kang mapapala sa bata, walang pera yan--gamitin mo naman ang utak mo! ". I knew I was right and I did the right thing when I decided to tie a knot to Yochan. " Why did you chose me among of your suitors? " My husband asked me one day." You might be living in a big mansion now and not in an apartment. " My husband is right-- we don' t have all the money in the world and that life can be hard and rough for us for sometimes. But it' s okay, I always have my family.( well, there are times I' m saying to myself that " kung may pera lang sana kami " ) LOL!^_^ --Clarissa

Visit Yochan and Clarissa at their site

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Our Wedding is Featured at BridalBook.ph

2010-09-07T16:34:00.003+09:00

Featured Wedding: Mei & Toper | Articles | BridalBook.ph

BridalBook.ph, which is the newest website from Summit Media. It is an online directory for wedding suppliers; the site also features practical tips, inspirations, and planning tools for brides.

Another Happy Day! : )

Christian-Mona Luz: My One True Love

2010-09-07T00:19:00.002+09:00

we just felt that we love each other and

we can't only be friends

I just want to share our love story to all of you though I know that our story doesn't have any kilig factor but still it's our own love story. :) and I thank God for giving me a person who will love me for who I am and accepting me in spite of my imperfections. I'm trully blessed because now I know I met my one true love.

Here is our story:

Christian and I were schoolmates when we were in highschool. I knew him just in his face but don't know his name. It never cross in my mind that somehow he will be a part of my life. Years have passed he had a girlfriend and I had a boyfriend. We've been in a long relationship before we met. And we both thought that they were the one for us. But I know God has his own reason why we ended up to nothing.

When I was in college (2001), I and my best friend were going to school, that time I went on their house because we have long vacant hours. Her house is just near on Christian's house. When we were walking and past on his house, she said, that is Bayie's (his nickname) house and I said who's that? She said he was our schoolmate when we were in highschool and I said.. aahh okay.. sa loob loob ko.. paki ko nman kung schoolmate natin un.. e dko nman sya kilala.. in short.. d ako interasado.. hahaha...When I went to their house again and that time we saw him and his girlfriend and my best friend said.. that was Bayie and his girl friend and I said.. ahhhh.. okay.. kilala ko sya sa mukha.. That's all.. I never thought of knowing him and be my friend and more than a friend.. :)

Years had passed and we both graduated in college. I graduated in college on 2005 and he was on 2007. I'm 1 year older than him.. (maaga kasi ko pumasok..kaya 2 years ahead ako sa schooling ^___^).. I had my first job on September 2005, and Christian, after he graduated he worked on his father's business. After 1 year he applied on the same company wherein I'm working. (my second job).

April 2008, I attended our SPC meeting. There were group of new employees also attended the meeting. This is a requirement to all the team to attend the SPC meeting every week. When I entered in a room, I saw this guy's face and I said.. "kilala ko 'tong lalaking to eh.. schoolmate ko nung highschool.. mmmm.. naku ano nga ba pangalan nito?" The whole meeting all I think of was his name. My stupid memory I really forgot his name. When the meeting adjourned and I headed home I'm still thinking of his name and at last I already remembered. He is Bayie! That was the first time I saw him again after so many years. And I'm a bit happy to know that he is part of my team and same shift with mine.. (Hindi ko alam bakit ako masaya to know na ka team ko sya..eh muka namang suplado.. feeling ko mahirap siya maging kaibigan. D man lang ata marunong ngumiti ang taong yun)..

During our shift and it's time to eat, me and my friends always passed by in his area and asked him to eat. And he would always said na susunod sya.. He became our barkada and always eats with us. One time when we had our outing (before kasi mahilig mag outing ang barkada) I get drunk and cried. Because I can still remeber my ex. Cried and cried until I fell asleep. When I woke up I saw Christian in our room and talking to my other friends and telling his story about him and his girlfriend that they already broke up.. (tingnan mo nga nman.. nagbreak na din pala sila.... :P).. I did not heard what he said because I'm still sleeping that time and when I woke up he already told the story.. (sayang dko nadinig.. may pagka chismosa pa nman ako.. :).. ) Days had passed and same routine goes along. eat eat eat.. together with our friends..

Last week of August 2008, it was almost 8pm.. I received a text message from Christian and said:

Instan: san ka? beanstalk tayo sabi ni Pearl.

Monz: Naku lapit nako house eh.. D nako pede bumalik.. Dna ko papayagan.. Gabi na eh..

Instan: Hina ko nman sayo..

Monz: Sorry ha.. Next time nalang. Set nalang ung date in advance para pede ko..

And because d ako pumayag, dna sila tumuloy. What he did that night was he asked one of our friends to go to a gasoline station and have some drink. That time he was still sad because of the break up. Late at night at around 10pm I received another txt message from him and told me if I'm still awake and I said yes.

Instan: Dito ko caltex, inom lang kasama si bubbles. (our gay friend)

(hindi ko alam bakit kelangan nia pa magpaalam sakin.. eh hindi ko nman sya jowa.. pero dko naman un binigyan ng malisya.. I know wala lang un)

Monz: Ok cge.. Wag iinom ng marami.. (parang jowa.. concern din nman)

Intsan: okay. thanks.

The exchanging of text messages stopped and I almost about to sleep when I received another text message from him. I can't remember what our text messages all about but that was the start when we became close to each other..

Everyday we are exchanging text messages with each other talking about our past. My sadness and pain same with him. Once I asked him why are you telling all those to me? and he said because we were on the same situation and I know you can understand me.. Nabibigyan mo ko ng advice at nabibigyan din kita ng advice..

The postponed dinner with our friend was set. It was September 5, 2008; actually my friend Pearl is closer to Christian rather than me. I was kindda quiet during our dinner, coz I'm a bit shy with him.. After the dinner I told him that I was already at home and exchanging of text messages again before we go to sleep.

Weeks had passed and we had our dinner date without knowing of our friends because we know that they will tease us. All of them were asking if kami na ba.. I just always telling them na friends lang kami.. (kahit tunog showbiz pero un nman tlaga ang totoo..) Even our friends also ask him if kami na ba.. syempre sagot nia indi rin.. dba.. kasi indi nman tlga..

Everyday, I'm always waiting for his text, showing how he cares for me, his sweet messages and his jokes.. I'm happy to know that there was this guy who appreaciated me for who I am. I'm always telling to myself that I don't like him. He was just a friend to me. I don't want to ruin our friendship. And same thing with him he doesn't like to ruin our friendship and he also said that he doesn't want his friend to fall in love with him.. If it happens he will never talk to that person anymore. I said why? He said.. naiilang daw sya malaman na ung babae pa nagkakagusto sa kanya..

I send him a text message and told him about our situation and I said taht I think we should only be friends because I don't want to ruin the friendship we started and he said me an email and said.. "diba ayaw nating magsalita ng tapos pero dahil sabi mo nga na away mo masira ang friendship naten ibig sabihin lang nun na kahit ma-inlove ako sayo eh hindi nlang ako matatapat.. baka nga ikaw pa ang magtapat pag nagkataon.. hehehe".. When I read that my heart beats so fast and I cried. Mhal ko na pala sya noon pa.. I'm just to scared to show it dahil sa friendship.. And because of what he said.. I'm too scared that he will leave me.

And because I cannot hide my feelings to him anymore.. susugal na ako.. bahala na sabi ko.. So I texted him.

Monz: dba sabi mo pag nalaman mo na inlove sayo ang kaibigan mo e ayaw mo na sya maging kaibigan pa? Pano kung sabihin ko sayong mahal pla kita? Lalayuan mo ba ako?

(tagal magreply.. iniisip pa ata ang sasabihin.. kabog siguro dibdib nun.. actually kabog din naman ang dibdib ko dahil sa pag amin kung iyon)

Intsan: syempre hindi.

I'm so much happy.. kasi love nia din pala ko.. kilig.. ^_______^..

By that time even if he has his feelings for me, he doesn't want to go to another relationship, he wanted to be sure that what he feels for me is for real.. He doesn't want to go to another relationship that will end up to nothing. He once send me a lyrics of a song entitled "Para lang sayo".. though may pagka korni dahil tagalog but the meaning is really meant for us..

2009 and we already have our communal understanding, saying Iloveyou and take care, the typical saying of a boyfriend and girlfriend. I'm a girl who always wanted to give a surprise note to him saying.. i miss you.. ingat kaw mahal.. ilove you and always sending him an email telling good morning mhal.. ilove you so much..

There was really no courtship between us, we just felt that we love each other and we can't only be friends. The understanding that we love each other was in there. And now we are on our 18th. Still in love and will be inlove forever.

Maybe it was God's will for us to meet again after a long time. And now we are planning to get married. Talking about some wedding details. Exact date? We are not yet talking about it.

*** March 2008, me and my friend had our novena in Quiapo. Asking for help. For me to promote on my job and to have a reconciliation with my ex or if not send a guy who will love me for the rest of my life. Now I realized that Christian was the ONE sent for me and I'm already promoted on my job. Two things that I really prayed to God and it was already granted and I'm so much happy now.. :)

More about monaluz and xtian on their blogsite

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Pekto-Elaine: Shooting Stars

2010-09-04T00:16:00.000+09:00

Soulmate... a single soul dwelling in two bodies.

Do they really exist?

I was 6.
One night after dinner, i went out in the garden to play with my mom. I was too busy playing that my mom startled me when she suddenly shouted "Look, a shooting star!". I turned to look at where she was pointing, but I was too late. She closed her eyes to make a wish, and I did the same. I wished so hard with all my heart that one day, i get to see a shooting star myself!

I was in 3rd grade.
One of my guy friends finds peace through stargazing. Almost every night he witnesses the miracle of stars falling down from the heavens while he lays down alone on their roof. I envy him. So, when I happen to be outside during nighttime, I'll gaze up at the sky hoping that one night I'll get to see a shooting star, even just one... just one... Years passed, not one star had the courage to fall while i was looking. I grew tired of waiting... so I prayed. I prayed to God to show me a shooting star. Not just any shooting star that other people usually see. I want to see a star fall as a sign that the person I'm with that time, is that one person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with! Time went by quickly.

I was 19.
I was a 3rd year college student recovering from being an emotionally-abused girlfriend by the very first boy I loved. After months more, I grew close to this guy, Pekto. I've known him for years but ignored that small voice within me that was wanting to connect with him long before. Probably for the reason that one of my closest friends have the hots for him, so i kept my distance. December that same year, I treated my friends to an overnight stay at Fontana as my advance birthday celebration. That night, everyone was enjoying the drinking session inside one of the two villas we rented. Being a centralized villa didn't stop most of my nicotine-addicted friends from smoking. Feeling my head spinning with the sophocation, I decided to go to the grass-filled lawn. Pekto followed me shortly. The sky was perfectly covered with sprinkled dusts of light. As we were talking about school, friends, and everything that came into our minds, I was secretly hoping for a shooting star to show up. We stayed there for more than an hour talking with my tilted neck just so I can get the perfect night sky view. I didn't want to miss any falling star that night. If Pekto is indeed the ONE, this is the best time for God to show me the sign i've been praying for for more than half my life. But my neck was beginning to ache. I was thinking of going back inside the villa right after I tell this story about something, when I stopped mid-sentence... "A shooting star!" i think i said that a bit louder than i expected. A speck of light made its trajectory path to nothingness. Was it for real, or was it just a figment of my imagination? Probably just the vodka shots finally kicking in? "San?" Pekto snapped me back to reality. But just before i could raise my hands to point out the direction, another shooting star appeared near the first one. A confirmation. I wasn't imagining things after all! I closed my eyes, not to wish, but to thank God. The shooting stars were miracles, but beside me that night was one of the best miracles ever! It was God's own way of telling me that my long and painful search is finally over.

7 years later.
He proposed on top of the Eiffel tower one winter evening. It was Valentine's Day.

If soulmates do exist, I thank God for leading me to him. And so I'm sealing it with an "I do" next year.

This is not the end of our love story... it's only the beginning...

-Elaine

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Married Life: Helping Each Other

2010-09-03T00:36:00.004+09:00

How do we help each other? Seems like a simple question yet I can`t find simple words to answer it..

Hubby and I learned to help each other ever since we are still sweethearts (bf/gf) from school works to our career..and I can say its our training ground to married life. We treat each others as partners, one is not complete without the other, thinking and deciding as one. As for our married life the bond of partnership strengthened.

From the daily chores up to decision making. I do almost all the house chores and hubby do all the money chores, I am a proud stay at home wife. Making sure that I can serve my husband a nice decent meal every lunch and after work, and to keep our crib spic and span, not to mention a fresh uniform everyday. As simple as keeping my husband fit to work and have the feeling of comfort when his at home after a busy day at work is a great deal. He`ll always tell me how its nice to come home and how excited he is to eat my home cooked meals after a tiring day of work. On the other hand, if he feels like cooking for us I let him be, he also do the dishes at night if I`m too tired or sick or he just want me to have some rest. He`s the one in-charge cleaning our comfort room and dumping all our trash. As a help, he always makes sure I`m comfortable and at ease in our kitchen and laundry area, making sure everything is well lit, drawers and racks are accessible, simply a nice working area. Also he never mind me buying those air freshers, antibacterial wipes and whatever cleaning devices as I never mind him buying all cleaning sprays for his comfort room/toilet needs and those insect repellants. With regards to work, I rarely asked him about it, just to spare him a bit, I let him make kwento about it, and when it seems its was tiring day for him I`ll make lambing and then asked how was it and at the end of every work related story I always tell him proud I am and how good he is.

During weekends, hubby cooks for breakfast, letting me sleep as much as I want, waking me up when breakfast is already served. Knowing that sleeping is my weakest point without any complaints he do the work, and as per him weekends are my rest day. Acceptance and being each others strengths on our weakest hours.

Oh..money matters, we both decide what to buy and what not, what are urgently needed and those that can wait. We have an excel file, to track our expenses and savings. In these matter, we helped each other by being each others conscience especially when it comes in buying our wants, that there are always a time for it, and making sure that we are always right on track when it comes to budgeting. We are each others armors, each others warrior when it comes to centipede, cockroach and spiders. We know how scared one can get upon seeing those crawly insect, and without any doubt one will be brave enough to squeeze, oh sorry , get them all out. We are each others nutritionist, we are both doctors in times of sickness and in time of being brat when it comes to eating healthy food and staying fit, his my trainor and im the runner, literally (he`ll do the biking i`ll do the jogging), its nice that way instead of saying his my master an im his dog. We are each others cheerleaders, my number one fan in my blogs and with my cooking and I`m his number one fan when it comes to his talent/crafts and work. Each other`s power booster, in reaching and achieving one`s goals whether it is as simple as eating okra and as complex as investing for our future.

Hobbies, we both support those simple details that makes us smile and that is if we have the means to spent. Respecting ones passion and understanding that its is sometimes needed to boost one`s spirit..

We are each other`s prayer warriors. we are each other`s heaven sent strengthening each other`s faith.

I can go on and on...again.. it`s simply loving each other unconditionally. Knowing each others` needs without the other telling, giving the help even without asking and love doing it without even thinking its a help but because it`s the missing part to complete each others existence and to make both existence easy and worthy to live in. As my husband would always tell me... "Kaya nga ikaw ang asawa ko eh.."

And We`re Back!

2010-09-02T22:40:00.000+09:00

Back from a week of hibernation... week without internet connection! and a week full of happy moments..

1. We moved-in to our new crib! and finally the internet connection was transferred! Whew!
2. My mom and dad`s bahay kubo got blessed... a bahay kubo turned private resort.. they planned to have a simple bahay kubo for my dad love to have a place to rest ...a place where he can dig and plant, then the bahay kubo was build...then the landscape... then the pools.. and now its a private resort. Can`t wait to go home and take a dip!

3. My dearest sister passed the July 2010 Nursing Board Exam! Yey! Thank You Lord! Really proud of her..

4. Will start featuring love stories again! starting Saturday! yey!

Happy 11th year Anniversary to US!

2010-08-23T00:41:00.004+09:00

To my dearest baby,

Happy 11th year anniversary, even if we are already married it is still nice to celebrate the day we became sweethearts, i bet you still remember what happened that day when I said Option 1, for I can clearly imagine how your face reacted to those words. Funny how time flies, we were still young then ,studying to have good grades, you always lend me your Math and Statistics Notebook for my notes are always incomplete, we helped each other with our projects, we joined several quiz bee but not as team mates but as opponent, and yes you always won. how we enjoy peeking at each other`s classroom just to have a glance, I love laboratory time for I can see you across the room and yes another time to glimpse at each other. Do you still remember how we got to college? My dad drove the two of us for our entrance exam, we both passed but I changed my mind and decided to study to a different school, the school where you didn't had entrance exam. And with that you choose to study to a nearer school, we choose not to be on a same school for college for it would be better that way. Come college time, you`d pick me up at my dormitory every Friday afternoon. Sometimes you`ll wait for me for hours until my class ends, or until I`m done with my exams. We still helped each other in our school projects, oh and daddy lend his old engineering books to you and I find it sweet. We graduated and worked, at these time we became much more mature and dreamy about our future, you proposed and we said "I Do" and now we are living as husband and wife. There are many happy moments and I still can go on and on.. still as normal couples we`ve been through a lot of challenges in our relationship and yet we never gave up. Life isn`t always a fairy tale, but it seems we live like one..Because we believe it is, and because we enjoy playing the roles God has written for us, Without any complaints, whatever the script may be..

We`ve known each others for years that living in a single roof seems so easy, feels like we have done it before.. Do you remember what we were told years back? That we were husband and wife in our past life but were separated due to some inevitable circumstances and now getting back together... with that you responded quickly with " kaya pala nung una kitang nakita nung grade 1 feeling ko matagal na kitang kilala.." and i just smiled, or maybe because we enjoy and accepts whatever differences we have. Everything seems so fast and again, time really flies. And a lot has changed, wedding magazines are out but home designs and baby books are in, from a career driven me to a full-time happy wifey, if its a job its the best one so far and I love to be promoted to a wifey-mommy someday. I hope I am doing well , do you think i am doing pretty well? i love how you appreciate all my prepared meals, love how you beg for me not to do the laundry and rest (for I love to clean everything and love to wash the clothes everyday but you think I'm tiring myself too much, but No baby.. I just love to have everything clean and fresh smelling and yes i love our washer..). I love seeing you as I open and close my eyes, i love greeting you home with a warm hug, love eating your cooked meals, strolling for grocery under the heat of the sun or the cold breeze of winter, love the way we laugh at each other's joke/stories/etc (never a day passed without any laughing), love starring and resting my head on your arms, love the feeling of security and contentment, oh... here i go again... I can go on and on.. but the best part is i Love thanking God everyday for you and that never changed nor forgotten even if it is our 11th year, even more I needed to thank God...

thanks honey for loving me more each day, for striving hard for our future (Im super proud of you), for never failing to put a smile on my face, for the simple yet happy life we are having.. am not only lucky to be your wife, I am blessed.

P.S

Your my cozy place! oh..I love you! Happy! can we have pizza later?

--Mei--

Leo-Abbie: Love Story Namin

2010-08-21T00:34:00.001+09:00

Whenever I asked him how he fell in love with me, he would always say that the moment he saw me crossing the road towards them the first time, he knew that I AM THE ONE FOR HIM!

When I first received the invitation from Mei about sharing our Love story, I felt like a star. Imagining my Love story will be featured in their blog, makes me feel proud plus the fact that my blog will have the chance to be visited (finally) by others … Actually I started preparing it, but while working on it, I realized that our Love story doesn’t have the KILIG factor at all.. I mean its ORDINARY! I don’t know if it’s just because I am old enough para kiligin pa, or wala lang talaga. But on second thought, it’s not the KILIG factor or how lovely the story is- what matters most is knowing that God made ONE person for me. All of us can be in a relationship, but not all are blessed to have THE ONE forever.

At an early age, I’m already in love with LOVE. I think I’ve experienced all the KILIG moments from Elementary, to High school until College days, but at the same time I’ve experienced pain from it as well. After 2 failed relationship, I’d still hope for my serendipity.

And then it came…

I met Leo from a common friend whom I met in Iran July 2007- Roger- our Mr. Cupid, from the beginning he already want to set me up with his best friend Leo when he knew that I was still single. For his hopes were high he promised himself that I’ll be his best friend’s Girlfriend before year 2007 ends. He already told a lot of stories from his friend and he even arranged a date but since I am a NO BELIEVER for this set up thing, I just said yes but ignored it. When I came back to Dubai, Leo already got my number and started calling every 6:00 am right before the alarm almost every day. Since I am not into this kind of thing, I just go with the flow…thinking that this shall pass. But he didn’t stopped and I got annoyed… I got annoyed because he started sending messages with sweet nothings -to think that he didn’t even see my shadow yet. Ok fine he wants to court me?! –but it should not be like this! I am serious when it comes to L-O-V-E. Then I started ignoring all the calls, the messages, nothing. He started asking why a sudden change and of course I lied, I just told him that I am busy at work. After a month or so, Roger planned the DATE, e nagpupumilit, pinagbigyan ko na…it was mid September 2007 right after work, when everything I thought was changed… He was very kind and sweet, quiet though, but overall – I liked him! That was also when we had our first photo together. We continued seeing each other almost every day and I begin to grasp what Roger told before. I was able to see the kindness from his heart, the innocence that covers him and the sincerity from his eyes. And there I begin to realize that well it’s indeed a worth to try. Truly, you can never judge a person unless you see him, be with him and learn to know him. It was November 12, 2007 when I surprised him in his birthday party. I told him that I cannot come since I have a lot of work to finish, but I came, gave him this huge birthday card and 3 shirts which I hoped he knew what it meant. Unfortunately he didn’t. Just when I reached home when he called me and asked me if I love him, and I said “di mo ba gets? Oo na!”

And there it started a relationship which was set up, photographed and developed!

Whenever I asked him how he fell in love with me, he would always say that the moment he saw me crossing the road towards them the first time, he knew that I AM THE ONE FOR HIM! I may not felt the same but all I can say is that Love really grows…We have a lot of differences, like I’m in the North Pole and he’s on the South, I’m + and he’s -, I’m super uber daldal, he’s NR (no reaction!), and this is where all the L.Q’s is coming from. But even these differences didn’t stop him for loving me, in fact, just after our 4^th Monthsary, he proposed, wasn’t formal though, as simple and casual as, “ Bhe, papakasalan mo ba ko?” I was dumbfounded, oh my, is he serious? I'm still not sure but I said YES!

It took us awhile, oh well its 2 years before we could get into the wedding thing. We're suppose to start the planning 2009 kaya lang parang ayaw pa ng panahon. There was even a time that I opted not to get married because of some family matters from his side. But then God really knows when, where and how…in HIS OWN TIME. Everything happened according to His will, everything went right. Leo got this opportunity to work in another company, which also means that we will be away from each other, miles, miles away; however, this time Leo insists that we should be married. He doesn't want to be away from me with out being his wife, and this time I am very sure of my answer, YES! YES! YES! Now I know the feeling what most people say, "Basta mararamdaman mo yan kapag sya na nga!" And yes it's definitely true, when I felt it; it seems that nobody can hinder us from getting married. Everything went smoothly, the papers, the flight booking, even the 7 days Leave was approved immediately. In just a matter of 2 weeks, the wedding is set. Who would've thought that I'd be a June Bride?! Never in my wildest dream to be married in June, but still, God worked on His plan for us. Oh by the way, our Church Wedding might be in June 2011 as well, I didn't plan for this, God did!

I know this is only the beginning of a new chapter in our life, it may or may not turn out a good story but at the end of the day it is indeed our story, our life together. I’ve always wanted to have the greatest love story ever told, mine might not be told as what I wanted but I’ll make it sure that it is worth to be told.

Happy Monthsary Leo and Abbie!

Stan-Fei: From Chuckie with Love

2010-08-17T00:20:00.014+09:00

"I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend,

I pray that you'll be my wife".

How We Met

Fei: I never thought, even in my wildest dreams, that I will meet my other half in a very extraordinary way. It was after office way back 2007. I was doing my grocery shopping and part of my list is my favorite drink - Chuckie (Nestle Chuckie). I was about to get a Chuckie from the shelf but at the same time was sending SMS to a college friend I am meeting later that evening. I didn't notice that there was another person trying to get the same drink - his hand on the Chuckie and my hand on his.

Stan: If I could only turn back time, I wish we had met in any Robinson’s Mall, I’m so sorry Ms. Lisa for citing SM in this story (i work for the Gokongwei group), I was at the SM Sta. Rosa Supermarket for my favorite kiddie drink “Chuckie”. It never crossed in my mind that day will be the most significant day of my life. I was about to grab the Chuckie when a hand was coming to the same Chuckie that I was aiming for. I never saw it coming, really, until I had my hand on the Chuckie then that intruder hand on mine.

How It Started

Fei: I was frozen for a while, then I turned my head right and saw this guy stunned and looking at me. He then said, “Sorry, it’s all yours. Paborito mo din yan?” I just nodded my head, got another Chuckie from the shelf and walked away. We then met again at the Cashier. He introduced himself and we exchanged numbers. We became constant textmates and chatmates. Then we found out, we have some common friends.

Stan: We became close to the point we even talked about our past relationships. I found out that she had been loveless for more than a year. I was in a relationship that time, though I already felt something for her. I told myself that I can’t court her and I must not fall in love with her. We remained friends.

The Courtship and The Day

Stan: After sometime, me and my then-girlfriend broke up. I started sending her sweet messages, and made her feel I am in love with her.

Fei: For me, it wasn't really courtship because I really don't believe in it. We just continue getting to know more of each other everyday. We talk, we hang out.

Stan: The right time came, it was 04:04am of October 11, 2007 when she texted me “OO NA.TAYO NA”. I felt that I won in a sweepstakes that day!

Fei: We met after office, ate out and celebrate. After dinner, he took a ring out of his pocket and put it in my right ring finger. I can still clearly remember him saying "I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend, I pray that you'll be my wife".

The Relationship

Fei: Our relationship was as normal as those of the others. We have petty quarrels and fights. I am thankful though that in those quarrels, it never happened that the reason was because of a third party.

Stan: It is really important that you put God in the center of your relationship. With that, no matter how many trials come your way, you will be able to surpass it.

The Proposal

Stan: During our 1st year anniversary, I invited her for a dinner at Gilligan’s Alabang. She really didn’t know that I was going to propose to her. Like we usually do before meals, we do pray and she usually closes her eyes while praying. I let her lead the prayer and believe me I almost felt that I was in a prayer meeting because her prayer took so long. After the prayer, she opened her eyes and as expected like any other ladies, she was shocked and surprised when she saw the ring with pearl (it was from my mom). I popped the multimillion question - Will you marry me?

Fei: Of course I said yes!

Stan: Later I realized, a girl wants a ring with diamond as an engagement ring. So I bought another one and gave it to her.

Fei: Two rings - I love it! And that’s it, we’re engaged. So happily engaged. Today, we are continuously preparing for our big event: our wedding day and it’s going to be on November 20, 2010.

More on Stan-Fei on their site

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Roy-Alen: Opposite Attracts

2010-08-16T09:41:00.002+09:00

“no matter how loud I laugh, im still not happy… no matter how hard I cry, the sadness inside grows… the more people love me, the more I feel empty.. I just need 1 person to love me, WILL YOU?”

One Universal Law that can summarize our love story is the concept of electromagnetic interactions wherein “opposite attracts”.... Roy and I are very different in so many ways - in opinions, lifestyles, likes, dislikes, activities, personality and even in attitude. Despite these, we just clicked!!! And here’s our short story……

It was year 2001 when we bumped into each other in our new boarding house while arranging our things, we both transferred from another place. I was then an Old Freshman enjoying my social freedom and trying things that I want to do. He was then a Junior student of Civil Engineering & a leader of a socio-civic organization. We don’t have any common activities nor time to just sit down and chat. One night, our housemates were looking for two more players to play a card game called tong-its and I did not hesitate to join. In that same moment, Roy came in from school and decided also to join. That was the start of us knowing each other’s personal details while playing. We have the same schedule in the morning so went to campus together but I don’t let him pay my fare for the jeepney because we are just same students. We are also eating lunch together with other housemates. Day by day, I found myself falling for him simply for the reasons that he has beautiful eyes, his leadership aura, he is responsible and his manly image. Later on I found out from another housemate that I don’t fall to his criteria - he wants someone who is from his hometown and someone also who is responsible. Slowly, I showed him also my likable traits and soon enough I can sense that he is also taking extra attention to me. He is a very quiet type so after one of our card games, I sent him a text message. Up until now, I can still remember the lines I sent “no matter how loud I laugh, im still not happy… no matter how hard I cry, the sadness inside grows… the more people love me, the more I feel empty.. I just need 1 person to love me, WILL YOU?”. As if words won’t come out, I sent the message hoping it would strike his heart. Surprisingly, a message came back just few seconds later and has a word “oo”. It did reach him! No other words were uttered after that until lunch time when he finally asked me if the relationship is already on after our exchange of text messages. And so, on the 16^th of August 2001 the start of our long journey has become official. Oh did I mention that I was his first and last girlfriend?

Every day, we get to know each other more. We play, laugh and cry together. We found the strengths and weaknesses of each other and I think that made our relationship stronger because we knew how to deal with petty and big quarrels, bad and good moods, ups and downs and we knew how to work with our differences. Until now are still enjoying the differences because from that we have topics to talk about, something to laugh at and something to share with.

He always attends every important occasion in my family that’s why he became acquainted with my parents and siblings. I remembered my mother told him to extend his patience because I am a brat. His siblings and parents are also good to me so it was not difficult going through with them.

After 6 years of steady relationship, we decided to get married before his work in Dubai, UAE. We have to rush all the documents we need to sign and make sure that the schedule will fit before Roy go to work abroad. We shared the vows to live together in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer last January 21, 2007.

Now, we are living as a family with our first baby here in Doha

Qatar

. -- Roy-Alen

Happy 9th anniversary Roy and Alen!

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Jowell-Tin: The Start of Something Beautiful

2010-08-14T01:10:00.000+09:00

"I don’t know what got into his head and his heart and he asked me if he can court me."

This is our love story - at least from the bride's point of view. Read and kiligin along the way...-- Tin

"December 07, 2002. I got back at PCTv as a txtjock. I knew he was a regular chatter kasi I kept seeing his nickname on my monitor and sa TV kasi addict sya sa CTRU. But, we weren’t talking yet. As in dedma with each other. I never greeted him kasi he never greeted me din naman. So, wala lng. Care ko at that time whether he notices me or not. December ended and we were not chatting still. Ewan ko ba pero dedma talaga kami.

Then, one night, my sister, Bru, and I were talking about the chat room and the chatters and who among them had “papable” nicknames. And by some force of nature or something, I said his nick, which was +VAMPIREMIGGY+. Tapos from that fateful night onwards, I had a “crush” on him na. Nickname-based at first, but eventually, became personality-based when we got to chat na in the room.

He greeted me first. Calling me Rintintin. Tapos ayun. Most of my shifts, kulitan galore na kami. I actually owe a lot to Lady Android aka Sharon. She was like the “way” para Jowell and I get to know each other.

We became textmates later on. Around May. We text until the wee hours of the morning. Kulitan lng. But we were constant chatmates na. And eventually, we got to talk on the phone. Latter part of May yata yun. I’m not really sure pero it was after I got back from Baguio. Speechless lagi ako every time na magkaka-four way kami nila Sharon, Sherwin (aka Clutch), and Jowell. Daldal na lng ako kapag wala na siya. Crush ko nga sya, db? Kya yun. Quiet always. Madalas 3-way or 4-way kapag talk kami. Di ko pa carry na kausapin sya on my own. I’ll be tongue-tied for sure. Pero siempre, the time came when the two of us had to talk na one-on-one. I survived naman. Fortunately, madaldal xa kaya I didn’t have to talk much. OK lng yun. I love listening to him naman, eh. Tapos, he’d call me na regularly. At first, he’d call me kapag di nya makausap si Sharon. Selos galore ako that time. Tapos, he’d call na for no apparent reason. Chikahan tsaka kulitan lng. But, I didn’t take it as a hint na he kind of liked me, too. I don’t want to assume kasi I don’t want to get hurt.

Frankly, from the moment I had a crush on him, I was falling in love with him more and more every day. The more I got to know him better, the more I was falling for him. And I didn’t have the slightest clue if he was feeling the same thing…!

Jowell was out with his family and relatives. They went sa Music21. Treat ng tita nya from the States who was here with her daughters for a visit. We were texting tapos he asked me to go out with him tomorrow to watch a movie. I agreed kasi we were friends’ naman, di ba? And besides, it is about time that the name and the voice had a face.

We met at Starbucks at SM North. I got sa meeting place first. He was there at SM na pero I walked faster kasi he just had his foot operated. Wawa nga xa kasi he had a hard time walking. I saw him na while I was buying my all-time fave drink. I didn’t approach him. Dedma lng pro my heart was racing big time. Finally, he went na to my table. Beso-beso like old friends pero deep inside, I was so kilig. We stayed there muna then shot some hoops before we saw Charlie’s Angels. Before the movie, we weren’t holding hands yet. But, after that. Wow!!! I was on cloud nine. I was ecstatic. We played some video games after the movie. Grabbed a quick bite then walked around. Finally, it was time to go home. He wanted to make hatid, but I declined na. It was late and I know his foot hurt badly na. He walked me na lng sa hintayan ng cab. He waited for me to get a ride. Then, he kissed me. Sa lips. Quick lng. As in mwah. Pero maski na. Kiss pa din yun. I was surprised and happy. But, I didn’t let that kiss get into my head. I was thinking of it as more of a friendly kiss rather than romantic in nature. Nonetheless, that night ended well.

I don’t know what got into his head and his heart and he asked me if he can court me. And I would be so darn stupid if I say no. Hello! I love him. But, I was really taken by surprise. I was not expecting it. I was hoping and wishing, but I didn’t know that it was coming that soon. But, what the heck, right. I’ve been waiting for this day.

And, officially on July 15, 2003, we became a couple."

Visit Jowell and Tin at their site Surprisingly Beautiful

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