We love to read stories where men really pursue their partners. Yes, we are kinda traditional but, as women, we are made to be pursued, loved and treasured.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Real Life Lovebirds
by Pia Margarette Rebucas - Tolentino
{OUR STORY}
Eugene and I are both OFWs based in the Middle East, in the city of Dubai particularly. Our love story didn't happen too soon but our friendship is more solid from the start. Both of us are pursuing different relationships separately but as what the cliche' says "if it's time and meant to be, all roads will lead to that" True enough, years passed, we saw ourselves meeting "at the finals" of our single days that eventually prompt us to tie the knot last December 21, 2012 in the beautiful Bellarocca Island.
{OUR STORY}
Eugene and I are both OFWs based in the Middle East, in the city of Dubai particularly. Our love story didn't happen too soon but our friendship is more solid from the start. Both of us are pursuing different relationships separately but as what the cliche' says "if it's time and meant to be, all roads will lead to that" True enough, years passed, we saw ourselves meeting "at the finals" of our single days that eventually prompt us to tie the knot last December 21, 2012 in the beautiful Bellarocca Island.
{TIP}
On the relationship itself, you really need to cultivate and have a sturdy friendship and connection especially on your faith. If you are connected spiritually, what's there to lose? Everything else fall into place after that.
On handling wedding preps, choose your stressors. Don't fight or argue on the preps because of money! If you can afford, give it a go, if not, improvise and be creative! I have seen that there are a lot of people (from friends and relatives) who are willing to help when someone they cherish is getting married, so take that as a blessing! What's important is both of you are happy on it (not just the bride) and as early on this engagement stage, learn to enjoy every single moment with your partner. Build HABITS together which will be vital in marriage-- communication, health, pacing, decision-making.
On Bridal must-haves, do not by all means scrimp or lazily forget about beautification! Nowadays, documentation of lifetime moments is inevitable and you would not want to look lousy on those momentos because you slack your way up to your Big day. Invest on a good hair stylist, make up artist, dentist, etc. Also, I accepted this fact last minute (because i'm stubborn that i do not want to dress up that much) that as a bride, you are the 'centerpiece' of the day. Thus, your DRESS should really really be good. By all means, do not take this easily or for granted.
On budgeting and choosing your suppliers,Stick to a realistic and reasonable budget especially if the financing will come from you and your partner. Compromise is the key. As for booking suppliers, quality of service and rapport are very vital. Research and check reviews online.
{DISCOVERY}
Suppliers wise, here are the ones from our wedding team which we discovered to exceed our expectations:
Gideon Hermosa of The Events Studio - Florist/Event Stylist
Sky Ortigas of MercyGrassDesigns for Web Page construction and lay out
Sheryl Peralta for Handmade Doodle Art Designs of our Save the Date
Clarissa Ines for Calligraphy
Danika Rio Navarro of Hello Rio for invitation suite design
Mela Tan of Melafied for the Bridal Hangers
Tenstringedlyre for String Quartet
Father John Luna of Bellarocca Island for being our officiant
Monday, May 6, 2013
Someone I not only Fell in Love with..
By Aimelle Caguin - Manrique
{MY STORY}
I met Erick on 15 July 2008.
{TIP}
Our wedding colour theme was based on the colours of Max Brenner (chocolate brown and pink), where we went on a date to talk about our wedding plans soon after we were engaged.
{MY STORY}
I met Erick on 15 July 2008.
I took the week off for World Youth Day (Sydney, Australia) celebrations and was thinking I could enjoy a hard earned Monday long morning sleep in. Little did I know that I would be woken up earlier than I usually get up for work anyway with loud bangs on my front door...
Everyone was fast asleep as they were all on holidays, but because my room has the window closest to the front door it disturbed me the most and I knew no one else was about to get up. So unwillingly I got up to open the front door and there stood someone I’d never seen before in my life. I quickly figured that it was another missionary from Manila that my brother-in-law (Joseph) would know so I woke him up so he could entertain him because I wasn't about to, especially since everyone had been on holidays except me at that point. Joseph took a while to get up, but I was annoyed so I wasn't talking to him until I remembered my manners and offered him a drink. By that time, he had already taken out his laptop and declined my offer probably sensing my annoyance.
I would run into him a couple of times during his first trip here, but we didn't really talk which is probably because I don’t normally talk to people easily and our first meeting was a bit awkward. After a few months , Erick was assigned here in Sydney for his missionary work for the next three years.
The young adult ministry I was more involved in didn't really meet him as he was initially assigned to the youth. It wasn't until til one of our retreats in 2009 that I spoke to him for a long time. He was mainly asking me about how the young adult ministry was going, but also managed to ask for my number. I gave it to him. After that we started emailing, chatting, texting and talking, communicating a little bit more each time.
Early 2010, I attended a core group meeting which consisted of the leaders from all the ministries. Erick was one of the people who spoke at the front that night and they used his laptop to project from. I remember an error code coming up on screen and giggling as I caught his eye. He shared about one of the first meetings he went to when he was new to the community where he saw the couples praying and holding hands. He said that was the moment he knew that someday he wanted to be a couple and I blushed, not admitting exactly why but knowing I wanted the same thing. Except I didn't know yet it would be with Erick.
Afterwards we worked on several projects together especially after I became a mission volunteer for the community in August 2010. We stayed that way for a while but I don’t regret it because we were working together as partners and I wasn't sure if it would become uncomfortable if things were to develop earlier. Although, we were probably talking at odd hours and more than just friends do. It wasn't until we were coming home from a mission trip to Melbourne on 13th December, 2010, that he told me he had feelings for me and asked to court me. I’m traditional when it comes to dating and thought that it was nice that we were friends first. I told him that it was okay and that I would pray about things while we got to know each other. He thanked me for the opportunity and for the trust I had given him during our friendship, something that was very precious to me.
I took my time before I said yes to be Erick’s girlfriend knowing that I would be his first and what he wanted to be his only. I already had feelings for him before he told me, but I knew that we were both looking long term so I got to know him more. We both went to Philippines to attend a Singles conference in February, 2011 and I missed him because he left Australia before me. While we were there he would travel 2 hours to come and see me, he looked after me when I got sick and I met his parents briefly over dinner. I also introduced him to my cousins. I told myself that I wouldn't say yes to him even if I wanted to before I saw what he was like there with his family and friends, and I found that he was the same caring person that I knew.
I said yes not long after he got back from Philippines on Friday 18th March, 2011, at Manly Beach on one of our dates. He was always careful with me and often asked permission before he would become more affectionate. On that particular day he asked if it was okay to hug me and if it was okay to hold my hand. I really appreciated this gesture because it was as if little by little he was building our relationship and my trust in him. Because we were both serious about the relationship we both agreed to intentionally work for it and build it. He would initiate things towards this like praying together, talking openly about things that bother us, keeping one day in the week free to do things together and being more expressive as I often found it difficult to verbalize my feelings coming from a quiet family. He would also make a sincere effort at spending time at my house with my family which was very important to me. There were times that I could even just leave him and my dad talking in our lounge while I took my time getting ready to go out. He has a deep respect for elders and would remind me to not take my parents for granted and value them more.
The night before the 2nd of August, we were together and he managed to convince me to wake up extra early and do the walk from Coogee to Bondi with him before sunrise as our City to Surf training. I was reluctant, but gave in at the end. He rang me early the next morning to make sure I was awake. He led a prayer in the car on the way asking God to bless the day, but even then it didn't occur to me that he would propose. When we got to Coogee he was telling me that he didn't get much sleep and kept stopping feigning tiredness. I told him he really should have slept well before early morning exercise. Funnily enough, I had no idea that the reason behind the lack of sleep was the pre-proposal nerves and that the reason he kept wanting me to sit down was to eventually propose. But all in good and God’s timing he got me to sit on a cliff face near Bronte, started with a story about him sharing to a friend how he knew he wanted it to be me and then took out the ring and asked me to marry him. I was surprised and dazed, but managed to say yes.
I felt that he was someone I could trust and someone I not only fell in love with, but also who I could love and commit to. I've found that he’s someone who deeply respects me, holds the same values as me and makes me laugh and love life. That’s why on 2nd August, 2011, even a sleepy version of me found it easy to say yes.
{TIP}
Our wedding colour theme was based on the colours of Max Brenner (chocolate brown and pink), where we went on a date to talk about our wedding plans soon after we were engaged.
Having to plan our wedding from overseas, one tip I can suggest is to select not just talented suppliers but those who are easy to work with, people who are just like your friends and who make the effort to get to know you. Maybe another is to choose rings that are a little bigger because you tend to gain more weight after, being extremely happy.. haha =)
{DISCOVERY}
Dominic Barrios – he did an amazing job with our photos; suggested talented and accommodating suppliers within our budget; and prayed for us.
http://dominicbarrios.com/
{DISCOVERY}
Dominic Barrios – he did an amazing job with our photos; suggested talented and accommodating suppliers within our budget; and prayed for us.
http://dominicbarrios.com/
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Complete Opposites
by Allison Caguin - Gozun
{MY STORY}
I grew up in Australia, he grew up in the Philippines. We met in 2005 in Singapore while we were both working there. I was happy being single and we were good friends (and still are!). As we became closer to each other, we realized that we saw something special in the other. At the time, we were unsure if we wanted a relationship - mainly because we both knew that we wanted our next one to be “it” - and the fact that we called different countries “home.” Six months later, we decided to be brave and take our relationship further in January 2006. God has blessed us so much in each other - he was not what I was expecting and we are complete opposites in many ways! In saying that, being with each other has enriched our lives through the new things we were learning from and about each other! A year later, we were engaged, and tied the knot on a beautiful sunny day on 8 March 2008.
{TIP}
One tip - besides wearing your smile all the time - is to use a good facial moisturizer. It has always been part of my daily routine... start using it before the big day. It helps to minimize any flaws and will help your skin not feel so itchy or dry with all that makeup on your wedding day.
{DISCOVERY}
Josiah’s Catering - their food was great, with a nice range of options on the menu. One thing that we really wanted to make our wedding memorable for our guests is for them to enjoy themselves and be fed well. They were also good with communicating with our wedding coordinator, which was essential to us as we were both still working overseas while preparing for our wedding.
Trunkline: +632 475.2703
Sales and Marketing Direct Lines: +632 941.7032 | +632 934.2163 | +632 934.5134 | +632 934.9252
Address: 34 East Drive, Marikina Heights, Marikina City
http://www.josiahcatering.com/main
{MY STORY}
I grew up in Australia, he grew up in the Philippines. We met in 2005 in Singapore while we were both working there. I was happy being single and we were good friends (and still are!). As we became closer to each other, we realized that we saw something special in the other. At the time, we were unsure if we wanted a relationship - mainly because we both knew that we wanted our next one to be “it” - and the fact that we called different countries “home.” Six months later, we decided to be brave and take our relationship further in January 2006. God has blessed us so much in each other - he was not what I was expecting and we are complete opposites in many ways! In saying that, being with each other has enriched our lives through the new things we were learning from and about each other! A year later, we were engaged, and tied the knot on a beautiful sunny day on 8 March 2008.
{TIP}
One tip - besides wearing your smile all the time - is to use a good facial moisturizer. It has always been part of my daily routine... start using it before the big day. It helps to minimize any flaws and will help your skin not feel so itchy or dry with all that makeup on your wedding day.
{DISCOVERY}
Josiah’s Catering - their food was great, with a nice range of options on the menu. One thing that we really wanted to make our wedding memorable for our guests is for them to enjoy themselves and be fed well. They were also good with communicating with our wedding coordinator, which was essential to us as we were both still working overseas while preparing for our wedding.
Trunkline: +632 475.2703
Sales and Marketing Direct Lines: +632 941.7032 | +632 934.2163 | +632 934.5134 | +632 934.9252
Address: 34 East Drive, Marikina Heights, Marikina City
http://www.josiahcatering.com/main
Monday, March 11, 2013
More Today
by Tootsie Herrera-Bellones
{MY STORY}
Rommel and I do not have your classic love story where boy meets girl, they fall in love, they get married, they live happily ever after. We met for the first time when we were both in law school, he in his 3rd year, I on my 1st year. I thought he was “tikalon” (proud) and he thought I was “suplada” (snobby). Simply put, there were no fireworks or rainbows on our first meeting. When I passed my Bar, I was recruited by one of my professors in law school to join their law firm. Rommel was one of the lawyers in the same firm. We eventually started working together on some cases, and we became friends. Just friends, no fireworks or rainbows still. So it came as a surprise to us when every now and then, people would tease us, telling us that we look good together, or that we’d end up with each other. We laughed it off. I even answered all the teasing with a categorical no. Gradually though, we realized that a day would not be complete until we got to hang out in my cubicle, or the night would not end without him sending me a text message. But there was a complication, as he happened to be in a relationship during that time. So we resisted the growing closeness, we denied whatever we were feeling, we avoided each other.
But I now know that when God has planned two people to be with each other, He makes ways for them to be together. Rommel was the only one who believed with conviction that our relationship, especially during the start, would work out when everybody else, including me, thought that it would not. He never asked me to be his girlfriend because he immediately asked me to marry him. He never was my boyfriend because he became my husband after I said yes to marry him at dawn of February 14, 2006. We were married by our favorite law school professor, who happens to be a judge, on February 20, 2006. It was just the 2 of us, and our ninang judge, who knew of that wonderful day. On February 20, 2007, we got married in church, with all our families and friends celebrating with us. Seven years after, we are living a life beyond how we imagined it to be, especially with our 5-year old Cookie, completing us. We love each other more today and everyday hereafter, for the next 7 million years to come.
{TIP}
After seven years of a roller coaster married life, Rommel and I know that marriages work because of true love between the spouses. We got married because we know that we love each other. We were not simply in love, but we were sure that we wanted grow old together, for better or for worse. We got married for the right reasons. During our civil wedding, Rommel and I were crying not because we were sad but because we were grateful to be married to each other, despite and inspite of everything that we had to go through. We were also aware that our lives would be different from then on, it would even probably be difficult for us, but we made a commitment to each other that no matter what, we would make our marriage work. A year after, when we got married in church, we invited the people whom we know were happy for us, who were celebrating us, and who were there because they love us. It was a small wedding, we only had our immediate families and a few close friends. We made sure that it was the wedding that we both wanted. Rommel and I were hands-on, from the color motif, to the wedding band and the songs that they would play, the food and the drinks, even with the cake and the photographer! We enjoyed every moment of the ceremony - the priest who gave the sermon knew of our love story from day one, the food was delicious, the church and the venue were simple yet elegant, everybody was having fun. It was how we imagined it to be, and more.
{DISCOVERY}
More than the wedding ceremony, what is more important is the marriage. A wedding happens in just one day (two days for us, one civil wedding, one church wedding), but a marriage lasts a lifetime. Everyday since February 20, 2006, we make an effort to make sure that our marriage works. There are days that are more difficult than the others, but we always believe that we can solve whatever problem that we meet along the way, especially that we are solving it together. We always tell each other that we are friends first before we are a couple, and that really helps because we knew each other as we are, no best foot forward, no pretentions. It’s a bonus that we had beautiful wedding ceremonies, both the civil and the church ceremonies, because we get to look back to those days, and be reminded of how amazing God is, for bringing the two of us together.
{MY STORY}
Rommel and I do not have your classic love story where boy meets girl, they fall in love, they get married, they live happily ever after. We met for the first time when we were both in law school, he in his 3rd year, I on my 1st year. I thought he was “tikalon” (proud) and he thought I was “suplada” (snobby). Simply put, there were no fireworks or rainbows on our first meeting. When I passed my Bar, I was recruited by one of my professors in law school to join their law firm. Rommel was one of the lawyers in the same firm. We eventually started working together on some cases, and we became friends. Just friends, no fireworks or rainbows still. So it came as a surprise to us when every now and then, people would tease us, telling us that we look good together, or that we’d end up with each other. We laughed it off. I even answered all the teasing with a categorical no. Gradually though, we realized that a day would not be complete until we got to hang out in my cubicle, or the night would not end without him sending me a text message. But there was a complication, as he happened to be in a relationship during that time. So we resisted the growing closeness, we denied whatever we were feeling, we avoided each other.
But I now know that when God has planned two people to be with each other, He makes ways for them to be together. Rommel was the only one who believed with conviction that our relationship, especially during the start, would work out when everybody else, including me, thought that it would not. He never asked me to be his girlfriend because he immediately asked me to marry him. He never was my boyfriend because he became my husband after I said yes to marry him at dawn of February 14, 2006. We were married by our favorite law school professor, who happens to be a judge, on February 20, 2006. It was just the 2 of us, and our ninang judge, who knew of that wonderful day. On February 20, 2007, we got married in church, with all our families and friends celebrating with us. Seven years after, we are living a life beyond how we imagined it to be, especially with our 5-year old Cookie, completing us. We love each other more today and everyday hereafter, for the next 7 million years to come.
{TIP}
After seven years of a roller coaster married life, Rommel and I know that marriages work because of true love between the spouses. We got married because we know that we love each other. We were not simply in love, but we were sure that we wanted grow old together, for better or for worse. We got married for the right reasons. During our civil wedding, Rommel and I were crying not because we were sad but because we were grateful to be married to each other, despite and inspite of everything that we had to go through. We were also aware that our lives would be different from then on, it would even probably be difficult for us, but we made a commitment to each other that no matter what, we would make our marriage work. A year after, when we got married in church, we invited the people whom we know were happy for us, who were celebrating us, and who were there because they love us. It was a small wedding, we only had our immediate families and a few close friends. We made sure that it was the wedding that we both wanted. Rommel and I were hands-on, from the color motif, to the wedding band and the songs that they would play, the food and the drinks, even with the cake and the photographer! We enjoyed every moment of the ceremony - the priest who gave the sermon knew of our love story from day one, the food was delicious, the church and the venue were simple yet elegant, everybody was having fun. It was how we imagined it to be, and more.
{DISCOVERY}
More than the wedding ceremony, what is more important is the marriage. A wedding happens in just one day (two days for us, one civil wedding, one church wedding), but a marriage lasts a lifetime. Everyday since February 20, 2006, we make an effort to make sure that our marriage works. There are days that are more difficult than the others, but we always believe that we can solve whatever problem that we meet along the way, especially that we are solving it together. We always tell each other that we are friends first before we are a couple, and that really helps because we knew each other as we are, no best foot forward, no pretentions. It’s a bonus that we had beautiful wedding ceremonies, both the civil and the church ceremonies, because we get to look back to those days, and be reminded of how amazing God is, for bringing the two of us together.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Planned by both
by Michelle Siaotong - Llaban
{MY STORY}
Kirby, my boyfriend for two years proposed before a crowd of 50,000 young people during a concert rally for Gawad Kalinga celebrating the Edsa People Power Anniversary in Quezon City Circle. We were both missionaries and volunteers for Couples For Christ and Gawad Kalinga then. It came as a pleasant surprise for me when he finally asked my hand in marriage, with my heart bursting with joy, I replied a big yes to his proposal. We got married exactly 6 months after in my hometown in Davao City. It was a memorable moment as so many of our friends flew to Davao to be with us on our wedding day.
{TIP}
Offer your relationship to God, for if He is in the center of it, everything will just fall into place. Also, both parties should be involved in the preparation. Our wedding preparation has always been planned by the both of us, from the biggest to the smallest detail. It’s important that both groom and bride disclose the kind of wedding they want to have and agree on how to accommodate each other’s wishes. Together you can mount the wedding that you want. Another tip I can give is to pick out the people to be part of your entourage very well. You must be able to choose the right Principal and Secondary Sponsors down to the Flower Girls. You must ask those who are really close to you, or people whom you really look up to and those who can really guide you in your marriage. A relationship must be built between the couple and their entourage because their role won’t end after the wedding but will go one during your marriage.
{DISCOVERY}
On your wedding day, you will discover how many people truly love you. They will insist on helping you mount your wedding and they will make sure that everything is in place. They will take a leave to attend your wedding day, travel far to be there and shower you with their love, presence and presents. Wedding day is just the start of a wonderful marriage- simple or grand, the most important thing to prepare for is the Marriage Vows and being true to them. Marriage vows, must be renewed often not just on the 25th or 50th year. On our 5th year, Kirby and I renewed our Marriage vows in Cana, Israel and on our 7th year we renewed vows in Camp John Hay, Baguio.
{MY STORY}
Kirby, my boyfriend for two years proposed before a crowd of 50,000 young people during a concert rally for Gawad Kalinga celebrating the Edsa People Power Anniversary in Quezon City Circle. We were both missionaries and volunteers for Couples For Christ and Gawad Kalinga then. It came as a pleasant surprise for me when he finally asked my hand in marriage, with my heart bursting with joy, I replied a big yes to his proposal. We got married exactly 6 months after in my hometown in Davao City. It was a memorable moment as so many of our friends flew to Davao to be with us on our wedding day.
{TIP}
Offer your relationship to God, for if He is in the center of it, everything will just fall into place. Also, both parties should be involved in the preparation. Our wedding preparation has always been planned by the both of us, from the biggest to the smallest detail. It’s important that both groom and bride disclose the kind of wedding they want to have and agree on how to accommodate each other’s wishes. Together you can mount the wedding that you want. Another tip I can give is to pick out the people to be part of your entourage very well. You must be able to choose the right Principal and Secondary Sponsors down to the Flower Girls. You must ask those who are really close to you, or people whom you really look up to and those who can really guide you in your marriage. A relationship must be built between the couple and their entourage because their role won’t end after the wedding but will go one during your marriage.
{DISCOVERY}
On your wedding day, you will discover how many people truly love you. They will insist on helping you mount your wedding and they will make sure that everything is in place. They will take a leave to attend your wedding day, travel far to be there and shower you with their love, presence and presents. Wedding day is just the start of a wonderful marriage- simple or grand, the most important thing to prepare for is the Marriage Vows and being true to them. Marriage vows, must be renewed often not just on the 25th or 50th year. On our 5th year, Kirby and I renewed our Marriage vows in Cana, Israel and on our 7th year we renewed vows in Camp John Hay, Baguio.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sorta Fairy Tale
by Jeniffer Jose - Ramos
{MY STORY}
We originally planned for a civil wedding in June 2012 and then a church wedding six months after. But at the last minute, circumstances prompted us to hold just one wedding in June. So instead of civil, we decided to hold a Christian wedding ceremony. Well, it's almost like civil wedding. Only, we had a pastor officiate it and we held it in a garden. It was a very small and simple one, attended by closest family and friends. I honestly like how it went. For some reason, I wanted a small and spontaneous wedding. Nothing grand, nothing fancy. No entourage. I wore a ready-to-wear short dress from Zara. We had about 35 guests. I honestly wouldn't want it any other way.
{TIP}
I didn't make any fuzz choosing a dress, pampering, make-up, photo coverage, etc. But I guess if I could give any tip, that would be to choose a venue that's not only good but meaningful to you as a couple as well.
{DISCOVERY}
Make the celebration as genuine as possible. I guess I say this because I'm not a fan of grand weddings. When celeb couples divorce, people instantly remember how grand their weddings had been and pity them for how badly the relationship turned out, right? Trust me, people will remember you for what kind of couple you are and how meaningful your marriage is, instead of how beautiful the gown you wore on your wedding day. Then again, nothing wrong with wanting a grand wedding or a nice gown. It all boils down to following your heart.
*You can read more on Jen's Wedding Story at http://asortafairytale-jen.blogspot.com
{MY STORY}
We originally planned for a civil wedding in June 2012 and then a church wedding six months after. But at the last minute, circumstances prompted us to hold just one wedding in June. So instead of civil, we decided to hold a Christian wedding ceremony. Well, it's almost like civil wedding. Only, we had a pastor officiate it and we held it in a garden. It was a very small and simple one, attended by closest family and friends. I honestly like how it went. For some reason, I wanted a small and spontaneous wedding. Nothing grand, nothing fancy. No entourage. I wore a ready-to-wear short dress from Zara. We had about 35 guests. I honestly wouldn't want it any other way.
{TIP}
I didn't make any fuzz choosing a dress, pampering, make-up, photo coverage, etc. But I guess if I could give any tip, that would be to choose a venue that's not only good but meaningful to you as a couple as well.
{DISCOVERY}
Make the celebration as genuine as possible. I guess I say this because I'm not a fan of grand weddings. When celeb couples divorce, people instantly remember how grand their weddings had been and pity them for how badly the relationship turned out, right? Trust me, people will remember you for what kind of couple you are and how meaningful your marriage is, instead of how beautiful the gown you wore on your wedding day. Then again, nothing wrong with wanting a grand wedding or a nice gown. It all boils down to following your heart.
*You can read more on Jen's Wedding Story at http://asortafairytale-jen.blogspot.com
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