Now I believe my mom when she tells me “I have that body when I was your age.” That’s me in her wedding gown sewn by my lola. ‘Twas my first time to see this dress unfold! I don’t know but, to me, it feels freaky yet awesome at the same time — trying out your mother’s vintage possession — priceless! Ang di ko lang maintindihan e bakit naman pang-winter ata itong damit! Long skirt na nga, long sleeves and closed neckline pa. Define balot! Sa kanya ata ako nagmana nang pagka-conservative.
Pero siguro kung gagamitin ko ito someday, puputulin ko lang yung sleeves, then I’m good to go. OK na ‘to sa ‘kin. Hehe! In the meantime, pagtitripan ko muna ito ngayong November 1. Dad told me to walk down the stairs of our condo fire exit hanggang makasalubong ng security guard sa baba. Ewan ko na lang kung walang mag-freak out! Haha
Tates
Note: Pasensya na po at mahaba ito. Baka kasi sumabog ako ‘pag di ko nailabas lahat. Hehe. Kung tamarin kayong magbasa, just skip to the photos until the end. Thank you!
Summer 2008, nag-outing ang team sa Zambales. Ang saya-saya naming nagmama-taya-taya sa dagat. Sa may pampang lang kami nagtatakbuhan nuong una ngunit, alam mo naman sa dagat, palalim ng palalim, lalo na’t kung napapasarap ng laro, di mo namamalayan hinihigop ka na ng alon papalayo. Taya si tita Tess. Ako ang hinahabol. Abot na ng ilong ang taas ng tubig kaya ako’y nagta-talun-talon. Mas matangkad ang balikat ko kay tita Tess pero alam kong she’s a good swimmer.
Nuong akala ko’y ligtas na ko sa kanyang panghahabol, bigla akong nakaramdam ng pamamanhid sa paa. Sinusumpong na pala ako ng pulikat. Da Heck! Kulang ang warm up ko! Lumubog agad ako at nakainom ng saksakang alat na tubig. I reached out my hand at nahawakan ko ang isang parte ng katawan. Balikat ni tita Tess. Full force akong umangat ng tubig, at sa aking pag-angat, siya ang napunta sa ilalim. Shucks!
Akala ko katapusan na naming dalawa. Buti na lang at sumagip agad si Paolo P. at hinila ako papuntang pampang para hilutin ni Fred. Todo sorry ako kay Tita Tess. Pag-uwi namin, hindi ko pa ata nakwento kela mother dahil sa takot na baka mapagalitan. Kabilin-bilinan pa naman niyang mag-ingat at ‘wag pupunta sa malalim. Gayunpaman tinext ko agad si tita Tess ng sorry ulit at pasasalamat sa “pagsagip niya ng aking buhay”. Ang kanyang tugon, “May purpose pa ang Lord, hindi pa siya tapos sa ‘tin, marami pa siyang ipagagawa.”
Tuwing kainan ng Sabado, minsan nagluluto siya ng napakasarap na Picadillo, o kahit nuong buntis siya, nagte-take out sila ni kuya Rommel [the hubby] ng inihaw na barbecue at chicken, o nagpapadeliver ng Amber’s spaghetti o Pansit Malabon. Siya ang bahala sa food ng team tuwing rehearsal. One time tinanong ko siya, “Tita, kung magtatayo ka ng restaurant, anong klaseng pagkain ang nasa menu mo?” Nagulat ako sa sagot niya kasi sa sarap niyang magluto ng putahe, hindi pala restaurant ang pangarap niyang magkaroon kung hindi isang bakery. Mas nacha-challenge daw kasi siya sa baking — mas precise nga naman ang sukat at honda-dot ang timing. First time naming nasubukan ang kanyang baking prowess nuong nagdala siya ng Brazo de Mercedes sa baby shower.
First time rin naming nakatikim ng blowout nuong nag-pa-ice cream siya nuong birthday niya nitong taon lang. Akalain ba naming last na pala yung mga yun.
Sabi nga ni tita Cely, our IFP WT musical director, ang boses ni tita Tess ay poste sa grupo. Keri niyang magpalipat-lipat ng boses kung saan manipis. Actually, nag-abang kami sa kanyang pagbalik from maternity leave para maturuan sana yung mga nakapilang worship teams ng ibang KE churches na nagpapaturo kung paano mag-second voice. Si tita Tess, alam niya kung ano ang kanyang talento, at ito ay kanyang hinahasa at ginagamit para mabigyan ng honor at papuri ang nagbigay nito, ang Lord. Commercial: Loving you cover Videoke link here.
Sa lahat ng mga kasal na pinuntahan ko, ang kasal ni tita Tess ang masasabi kong may pinaka-hyper na wedding march. Bridesmaids kami ni Aileen nuon. Sa bandang dulo ng prusisyon, pinatayo ng emcee ang lahat ng bisita para salubungin ang pagpasok ng bride. Lahat ng mata ay nakatingin sa pintuan.
Pumasok ang bride.
Humakbang ng kaunti.
Huminto.
Umatras.
Humakbang ulit.
Huminto.
Umatras.
Humakbang ulit.
Ang kulit!
Di maipinta ang napakalaking ngiti sa mukha. Kasabay noon ang hiyawan at halakhakan ng mga bisita. “Finally!”, ang pabirong sabi ni Pastor Dan. “May tututol ba sa kasalang ito?” “WALA!!!!!” ang sigaw ng lahat. Ang comedy! Akalain ba naming magkaka-hubby pa si tita Tess sa batang-batang edad na 45 years old? Di ko rin akalaing ang isang bubbly tita Tess ay makakapangasawa ng isang napakinhing, man-of-few-words na probinsyano — si Kuya Rommel. Nuong kasal nila, two words lang ata ang narinig ko, “I do.” Ngunit sa pagmamahalan ni tita Tess at Kuya Rommel ko natunghayan ang bigat at responsibilidad na kaakibat ng dalawang salitang yon. “In sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part.”
Laking pasasalamat ng buong team sa Lord at nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon maiparamdam kay tita Tess kung gaano siya ka-espesyal sa amin. Eto yung time na nagsalu-salo kami para sa kanyang baby shower (blog link here) kumakailan lang.
Three years after the wedding ay lumabas ang kanilang healthy baby boy. Nabalitaan ko na lang, nanganak na si tita. The Friday night after the baby was born, I had a dream. May celebration daw ang team, kainan, pero di ako kumakain sa scene. Nakita ko si baby na tumatakbo papalapit sa akin para humalik. Take note na ‘di ko pa nakikita ang baby maski picture at ‘di ko alam ang name that time. Ang gwapo gwapo niya. Parang Jericho Rosales yung mukha pero baby. Weird. Pero di ko nakita ang kanyang mga magulang. Nuong kinwento ko ito kay kuya doulo, sabi niya, “Di mo nakita? Waaaa.. bakit di mo hinanap?!?”
The Sunday after, nagpapahinga pa rin si tita Tess mula sa kanyang pagka-cesarian. Kinumusta ko siya sa text. Ang sagot niya, “PTL NAKARAOS DIN, PERO HIRAP ANG RECOVERY SUPER SAKIT. DI BALE SULIT NAMAN KC MAY ROMAN NKMI.” Kala ko sinong Roman.. the baby pala. Di na ‘ko naka-reply. Ang sumunod na text na natanggap ko mula sa number na yon ay, “SA NGAUN DPA OK, KC NASA ICU NGAUN, SANT VINCINT HOSP, KUYA ROMEL M0 2.” That was nuong kinamusta ko siya twelve days after our last communication.
Sa mga sumunod na ilang linggo, maraming dumapong karamdaman kay tita Tess. Ang usapan namin ni Kuya Rommel, after gumaling ni tita Tess [tancha namin mga two weeks] ay manonood sila ng Expendables nila Kuya Dou and Tito London.
Dumating ang week na ako na naman ang naka-assign na Sunday worship leader. Grabe, hindi talaga biro ang pagpili ng i-la-line-up na songs. It’s ALLLLLLL by the grace of God. Isa sa mga kanta na ipinaalala sa Niya sa akin ay ang napakalumang hymnal na “Because He Lives”. Naalala kong si tita Tess ang nagturo sa ‘min ng epic na kantang ito. Mahilig kasi un mag-line-up ng oldies e. Emotional ako palagi pag yan ang kinakanta ko. Nuong ni-youtube ko ang original song, saka ko nalamang may three stanzas pa pala yun (chorus lang ang alam ko) so overnight kong pinag-aralan at kinapa ang mga nota.
The day after, Saturday, may conference kaming inattendan. Sa isang part kung saan kami’y makikinig lang sa Lord at tatahimik for good 30 minutes {whew}, mayroong ipinakita sa ‘king vision ang Lord. Kasama ko raw si tita Tess at Kuya Rommel sa isang kwarto. May mga bintana sa paligid nito kung saan nakikita namin kung anong nangyayari sa labas. Kitang-kita ko sa labas na nagkakagulo, may digmaang nagaganap, parang gera, a la Black Hawk Down. Yun lang. Tapos next scene na. Kinwento ko ito kela Kuya Mon, Fred, Coy at Sam nuong sharing time.
Photo by IFP
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
Ang mga sumunod na oras ay napaka-critical para kay tita Tess. Nag-aagaw buhay siya sa ICU. After many misunderstandings sa text tungkol sa talagang kalagayan niya, on September 5, 2012, 9 AM, the doctor declared that she passed away. Nakakapagod din pala yung makakareceive ka ng text na wala na, tapos hahagulgol ka, tapos marereceive mong next text di pa pala sure, tapos maya-maya sure na, so hagulgol na naman, tapos maya-maya babawiin ulit. Grabe! Ang nangyari pala ay hindi pa medically wala… but the doctor quoted one hour… na pinahaba pa ng Lord, miraculously, nang 5 hours. Tulad ng kasal ni tita tess na atras-abante, parang ganun din ang patak ng kanyang BP… nasa 20 na, tapos aakyat pa ng 40, tapos bababa ulit. Nakikipagbiruan na naman ba si tita Tess? Of course, we’re all praying for a miracle. But more importantly, for God’s purpose and will and for peace for the family.
When I googled the history* of “Because He Lives” yesterday, Sept. 6, I have found out that the composers, Gloria and Bill Gaither, wrote the song during a time when their country was going through a great turmoil in 1960’s, at the peak of Vietnam war, when most people believed that “God is dead”. And that was the time they thought, “this is really a poor time to bring a child into the world. And then Benjy [the son] did come.” The reason for the song’s second stanza:
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
And then the third stanza (brace yourselves):
And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
Kahapon ko lang nasimulang mapag-tagpi-tagpi ang mga pangyayari. Tita Tess, Kuya Rommel, the dream of Jericho Rosales baby without tita Tess, the vision in a room in the midst of a “war”, a song written in times of “war” and crisis where in the end, it’s still the Lord who comforts (sabi sa Because He lives)… it is BEYOND amazing how God has orchestrated every little detail to communicate to us that everything has been taken care of. Everything is under God’s control. It is His will. Sabi nga ni lola Londonio [mother of tita Tess] nuong kinamusta namin siya, “Ay! Binigay ko na yan sa Panginoon! Siya na ang bahala!” Cliche as it may sound, we really believe also in our hearts that tita Tess’ task on earth is already complete — she touched lives, glorified God through her gifts, had a man who truly loves her, and bore a son for keeps — but the journey does not end on those. God has given her a new assignment.
Sa scripture reading sa kanyang wake kahapon, I quoted Romans 12:2 which tells us the characteristics of God’s will. The Lord’s will is good, acceptable, perfect, the best even if it is the most dangerous or most misunderstood, and is ultimately the safest place to be. The hardest part is knowing God’s will {another topic} but when you already know it, 1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us…
“So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm, do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Si Tita Tess rin nga pala ang nag-suggest ng pangalan ko [Jezreel] sa aking mga magulang.
We will terribly miss her.
Sources:
*101 More Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns by Kenneth W. Osbeck
Photography by Paulo, Rick Galang, Abi Padilla, Jef Cabangon, JM Estacio, Tristan Saraza
I miss DLSU and my alphabet friends.
Sa aming labing-isang mga magba-barkada, after magtapos ng hayskul, nagkahiwa-hiwalay na kaming parang United Colors of Benetton. Apat sa amin ang napunta sa UP-Manila, dalawa sa PLM, isa sa MAPUA, isa sa canada, isa sa ateneo, isa sa isang nursing school at isa sa DSLU DLSU. At ako yun.
oops.
Alam mo naman ung mixed feeling of excitement and kaba (at Taglish!) to meet new set of people, di ba? Marami kasing kwento kwento.. kaya may mga katanungan ako tulad ng…
“May makakasundo kaya ako dito?”
“Magiging conyo din kaya ako?”
“Spoonfeeding ba talaga sa paaralang ito?”
“Marami kayang mayayamang manlilibre sa ‘kin dito?”
Hahaha. Natural lang naman siguro ung feeling na nangangapa sa bagong mundo, adjust-adjust.
Day before ng klase, meron agad akong blockmate na textmate, si Jo. Nagkuhanan kami ng number sa block directory na ipinamigay nuong orientation a week before. Nagtext siya at sabi niya magkita kami before pumunta sa first class para may kasabay. Nanggaling din siya sa isang science high school so feeling ko meron kaming mapag-uusapang similarities. So, first year of college, first day of classes, nagkita kami sa may main gate. Nakaupo siya sa benches pagkapasok ng rotating entrance. Unang tingin ko sa kanya, naisip ko, “Aba! Kaklase pala namin si Iya Villana!” Ang ganda niya, model ang dating. Actually mas maganda siya ng dalawang ligo kaysa kay Iya. Wait, make that ten ligo. Pramis. Fresh na fresh. Freshman na freshman (“froshie” in DLSU-linggo). Buti na lang simple lang siyang naka-shirt and jeans like me. Haha! So tumayo siya at sumabay sa aking paglalakad.
Dere-derecho na kami sa isang classroom sa first floor ng SJ building. First subject: ENGLONE (English One, I think). Pagbukas ng pinto, nakatingin silang lahat. Di ko na maalala pero baka dahil late na kami at nandun na ang teacher. Umupo na kaming magkatabi ni Jo… only to realize later na alphabetical ang magiging arrangement. So bye muna kay new friend dahil ang surname niya ay “C” for “Castillo” at ako ay “P” for “Padilla”.
Ang katabi ko sa kaliwa ay “O”, “Oroceo” at pagbaling ko sa kanan, ang apelyido niya raw ay “Kilala”. Napatitig ako kay “Kilala”. From “O”… to “P”… tapos naging “K”? Feeling ko mali ang kinauupuan niya. Feeling mo rin?? Haha! Sabay paglilinaw niya, “with a ‘Q’… ‘Quilala’”. OK, gets! Ako na ang mapanghusga. Haha.
Maya-maya’y bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang isang lalaking mukhang pinoy na pinoy ang kulay. Umupo lang siya malapit kay “Q” sa dulo kung saan may bakante. Tinanong ko siya kung anong apelyido niya. Feeling ata niya interested ako sa kanya. First day na first day ha? Haha. Sabi niya “Huan”. Aba pinoy na pinoy nga! “OK, ‘H’. Dun ka sa kabila.” Later ko na lang nalamang “J” pala ang “Juan” at hindi “H”. Buti na lang magkatabi lang yun. Ako na naman ang mali.
Sina “C”, “O”, “Q” at “J”, ayun ang ilan sa mga naging pinaka-naka-close ko all throughout my three years and one term of being in college. Eventually nadagdagan din yon ng “R”, “B”, “A” and the rest of the alphabet.
It has been four years since I last walked through the hallways of my college university. If only I have someone to take snapshots of me getting all nostalgic about the trip… well actually sinamahan ako ni Win one office lunch break (taxi papunta at pabalik amounting to 300 pesosesoses). Pero since di siya makakapasok, nagliwaliw muna siya sa UM at Mcdo. Ewan ko nga kung anong naitulong niya e… maliban sa presence. (Hahaha peace! Thank you!) So ayun, ako lang sa loob.
Some students would look at me and in my head they’re saying, “Bakit ba kuha nang kuha nang litrato ‘tong corporate-ish na babaeng ‘to?” Haha! Keber ko sa kanila! There I was, rekindling old affairs with places I used to hang out with my blockmates, corners where I used to sleep study, the amphitheater, the canteen (animo haus), the library! May mga nakakapanibago. Most look more worn out than before, but all in all, ganun pa rin ang feel.
I decided to drop by today because I have to get a document from my former thesis adviser, Dr. Lim. Nagmamadali akong dumeretso sa Mathematics Department dahil babalik pa kami sa office agad. Four minutes na lang at magsasara na ito for 12-1PM lunch break. Whew buti umabot! At buti na lang tumawag ako in advance sa secretery dahil wala pala si Ms. Lim. Hindi rin pwedeng kunin ko na lang sa pigeon hole ang document dahil sabi nung guard sa Main Gate, kailangan pala ng confirmation from the secretary na nagpunta ako dun. Higpit naman. Anyhows, nakuha ko ang dapat kong kunin at dumeretso na ako sa STS to get my yearbook.
Ala e! Sa kinasamaang palad ay di nila mabungkal kung saang baul nakabaon ang yearbooks ng ID 104 (year 2007 graduate). Bumalik na lang daw ako next time pag tinext nila ako. Sayanger. Well, at least I have another reason to go back and take more pictures!
Dahil nga ako lang mag-isa ang tumakbo-takbo sa loob ng campus, at I only have 30 minutes to do my thing, eto lang mga nakuhanan ko.
Dito kaming palaging tumatambay na mga taga-College of Science: sa SJ Building at SJ Walk. Ito rin ang building na pinakamalapit sa library. Akala nila siguro mahihilig mag-library ang mga anak ng Siyensiya.
Believe it or not, may Coffee Bean na sa loob ng University Library. Pasensya na mga bagets ha, ngayon ko lang nakita itong area na ito kasi wala nito nuong time namin.
Minsan na rin akong na-lowbat nang walang dalang charger so mabuti ang naidudulot nito.
And before I go back to meet my friend who has been waiting for me for 30 minutes, I decided to take home (back to office) one of my favorite DLSU dishes: Mongolian Grilled Chicken. In fairness, mas masarap dati.
Sana next time, makuha na ang yearbook ko, makasamang bumisita ang mga kaibigan ko, makita si Dr. Lim at ilang blockmates na ngayon ay mga guro na rin, at makatikim ulit ng Tuna Pasta at Liempo sa Agno.
Mga batits, enjoy the school days! Masarap nga ang walang pasok pag bumabagyo pero masaklap din minsan mag-make-up class nang weekend.
Shakey’s Supplies!!!
As I was saying on my last write-up before this post, halos mag-a-alas-nueve na nang maguwian (kuno!) ang team from the baby shower. Nagsi-alisan na kami sa CLSF and then ten minutes later, nagkita-kita rin kami ulit (secretly) sa isang restaurant sa Pure Gold-Shaw. Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na rin ang birthday celebrator, ang aming team leader (na kasama rin namin sa baby shower) na walang kaalam-alam sa mga nangyayari. Click here to watch the shaky video.
Nagtatago kami before sila dumating. Then, supplies!!!!
Ang pinakamasarap na feeling dun eh yung nanatili siyang secret until the last minute. Wala daw siyang ka-idea-idea. Successful!
Sobrang nabusog kami sa pinanggalingang kainan kaya di ko alam kung paano pang nakakain ang mga ito — Pizza, chicken, pasta at froyo. Haha! Grabe yung mga boys!
Nakakatawa… after nang kaguluhan sa shower, talagang nag-game ulit kami dito. ‘Di masyadong napaghandaan.. buti na lang may mga nakalistang movies specifically for charades sa aking trusty cellphone. Laging handa! Haha.
Difficulty Level: Kumusta naman?
- Titanic
- Shaolin Soccer
- War of the worlds
- High school musical
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- No Country for Old Men
- Finding Neverland
- Catwoman
- My Monster Mom
- A walk to remember - tie-breaker
Pabilisan umubos ng Froyo (dahil maraming sobra, haha)… Hello, brain freeze!
<insert video here: to follow :) >
Some messages for the birthday celebrant from our overall leaders, tita Mo and tito Eric…
…and from the pasimuno nang lahat, the wife, Ate mitch.
Another clap clap good job for my bestfriend Nice for organizing!
Ate Mitch, Kuya Itan and me :)
More kulitan pics habang nagsasayawan at rambulan! Natapos kami alas-onse na ata! Nevertheless, it was another night to remember. We love you, Kuya Itan!
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful…” Proverbs 15:13b
Photography by JM Estacio
Kung paanong nairaos ang miracle baby shower…
“Lahat ata nagawa na namin sa isang araw”, yan ang remark ni tita Mo during her preaching last sunday. Well, exagg pero talagang punung-puno ang araw namin mula alas-singko nang hapon hanggang hatinggabi ng Sabado. Maulan at bumaha man sa ilang lugar sa Maynila, tuloy pa rin ang mga nakahandang plano after the usual team rehearsal.
Baby Boy Shower
Second time ko atang na-involve sa isang baby shower. The last time we organized (na eventually naging ninang ako to a baby girl), it was for a different set of people — colleagues in the office during a lunch break so we had very limited time (1 hour). These are shots from the 2010 baby shower we organized. See, I still have curly hair and bangs. Haha!
I remember we had a great time but what I regretted was not listing down the activities we prepared and the games we played. Hello, ano namang alam ko sa pagkakaroon ng baby ‘no? Kaya nag-research pa talaga ako noon. Ngayon, di ko na maalala. So when Nice asked me to prepare, wala akong na-contribute. Lame excuse, I know. Sorry! :p
The baby, this time, is a boy. The soon-to-be mom, tita Tess, and the “miracle baby boy” (answered prayer!)…
The setup, diaper cake gift and organizers (Nice and Sam)…
Tita Tess even baked a cake for us. Yummy!
At bilang mga mahihilig maglaro, siyempre puro kami games. Kalokohang games. Hehe! I’ll share with you the game mechanics. Alam mo na… notes… baka kailanganin ulit natin next time.
Game 1. Dirty Diaper (for the strong-stomached)
Before the game, I caught Nice and Sam filling the dirty diaper with eeky goo while munching on my lumpia. Di ko kinaya ang sight so tumakbo akong mahina ang tuhod. So imagine, we we’re playing this game while eating.
Mechanics: Pass around the dirty diaper filled with some brown substance (hot melted chocolate). Whoever holds the diaper when the music stops, he or she will open it and stare at or lick on it. Ackkkk! I know it’s all in the head (I managed to dip a finger) but still… gross!
Game 2. Gatas sa Labi
One holds the bottle, the other sucks the milk. First pair to empty the bottle wins the game. Seems simple but with these crazy competitive people, it sure was fun!
Game 3. Guess the Baby Bump
Guess the size of pregger’s baby bump using yarn strings. Everyone cuts strings according to their bet circumference. Whoever guesses the closest, wins the game.
Ayun lang naman. Winners get choco-choco as prizes. Hehe! Pagkatapos noon ay nagbigay ng mga tips ang mga mothers for the soon-to-be-mother. The original intent of a baby shower was for women to share wisdom and lessons on the art of becoming a mother. [wiki] Eto ang three tips na madali kong natandaan:
- Breastmilk is still best for babies until 2 years of age.
- Three minutes lang magpaligo ng new baby.
- Alternate ang mom and dad sa pag-aruga tuwing gabi para hindi super stressful.
Di mawawala ang hagikgikan at hagalpakan. Just looking at these photos makes me feel warmer inside.
♥ ♥ ♥
Halos mag-na-9PM na when we took our group shots. Then, nagkaisa ang lahat para secretly maghiwa-hiwalay at mag-uwiang kuno. Ang di alam ni Kuya Itan, may surprise birthday celebration kami para sa kanya. Itutuloy sa susunod na post (click here).
Photography by JM Estacio
Like any other girl who dreams of her future wedding gown
News came out that my favorite Filipina beauty queen, Lara Quigaman, from my hometown, Biñan, Laguna, was married (for the second time to the same person) last weekend. And my my my… at 29 years old! My ideal age of tying the knot! (I know it’s a bit late body-clock-wise for a woman but who knows?)
But aside from the very beautiful yet simple bride, much attention has also been rendered to the bridal gown created by a young famous designer named Veejay Floresca. When I saw the gown on TV Patrol last night, I was like “waaaaaaah she wears my peg gown!” I mean, promise! The color, the ruffles… it looks very similar to my ultimate gown inspiration (ok, daydreaming here), which was featured in one of my Fafafafound Monday series posts about two years ago!
Yes, I am still like any other girl who dreams of her dream wedding someday (or plans waaay in advance)! Haha! Aside from tons of pictures of houses and rooms collected from various websites, I also collect pictures of gowns and wedding themes. Or siguro mahilig lang akong mag-organize ng events (birthdays, parties, teambuilding, get togethers) kaya trip kong mangolekta ng mga inspirations and it so happen that I get many ideas from wedding events.
However, it is worth noting that, for me, Lara’s version is definitely better. She gave life to my dream gown that now seems ordinary na lang because of her. Haha! I like the conservative lace sleeves, the blur-like material (not too heavy on the eyes) and the baby pink bouquet.
Photos grabbed from Veejay’s Tumblr
I am super in awe of the high slit in front! I mean, hello… peeking legs through a wedding gown?? That is rebellious! Hahaha! Kidding aside, that is a fresh take away from the traditional but not too revealing. It compliments the bongga trail at the back aaaaaand it helps when walking on high heels! Haha. OK, ako na in love sa gown.
Enough with the gorgeous gown, baka OA na ko. The vow naman. I dedicate the following post to my very special friend who is now in Canada dahil iyak daw siya nang iyak sa wedding na ‘to. Hahaha! (Beb, eto na… kinopya ko na yung vow ni Marco. Hahaha!)
Copied from pep.ph
Heto ang naging madamdaming wedding vow ni Marco kanina na umani ng maraming magagandang reaksyon sa mga nagsidalo:
“Whatever words may come out of me today, Lord, they are just part of what I feel… because I am just so overwhelmed by your goodness and love for having sent me a person like my Jiampong, my Jiamps, my precious one — as my wife.
“I want to walk through my years right beside you Precious Lara as your best friend, your soul mate, your lover… I will be your true partner in every adventure… wherever, whenever, forever…
“God really works in mysterious and sometimes funny ways. Dati, napapanood lang kita sa sitcom na That’s my Doc. Ngayon, ‘pag nakikita kita, I can now proudly say ‘That’s my wife!’
“Ironic that I have to experience an injury in basketball for us to meet in show business. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Kapag si Lara ang naging girlfriend ko, titino na ako…
“True enough, salamat naman, minahal mo ako… kahit hindi ako masyadong mayaman, kahit hindi ako masyadong mature katulad ng dati mong boyfriends, at kahit na may itsura ako nang konti sa kanila.
“I thank you Miss Precious Lara Quigaman—for being the most unselfish, generous, loving person that I know. I feel more deeply in love with you when I see the way you treat your family, your relatives, and even my family and myself… Thank you for bringing out the best in me… and for showing me the things, and the people that really matter.
“And most important of all, thank you for bringing me closer to the Lord… I’m sorry Lara… for the pains you had to go through with me. I am not perfect but I will always try to work hard to be the best husband to you and father to our children.
“I love you, Lara and I promise to love you unconditionally, without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage and support you to achieve all your goals and dreams—I love you Lara—that I want to laugh with you, learn with you and grow with you in mind and spirit all my life…
“And lastly, you may be Miss International to everyone, but for me Jiamps—you will always be my precious one. And I commit to taking care of you with all my life, my precious one—plus… our forthcoming son—and you both will be my precious two.
“I love you… I really love you! Thank you!”
Ooooh… I’m so happy for both of them. Ngayon, gusto ko lang mag-slow-mo higa sa kama na parang sa nestea iced tea.
Shout out to my work friend, Lani, who is busy planning for their big day on May 2013. I just knew!
Sweet Feature 001: Lennon and Maisy
I was thinking of gobbling up margarine in our refrigerator when I get home so I can do some percussion with the container…but I know it’s kinda disgusting. Haha. Not much a fan of the song, but these two girls are just too lovely. Their harmony tickles my shoulders.
The next video is definitely better than Jayesslee’s cover. Who doesn’t like this song? I mean, every time I hear this song, my heart melts. Dream sequence: someone special sings this on your ear, fireflies glitter the night time sky as you waltz together, cold breeze embraces, and he never gives up (just like in the song, duh!)… aaaaah too good to be true. Oh what gloomy weather brings to the soul! Haha. I just want to listen to these two girls over and over again. OK, I want to hug my sister right now. But don’t tell her because she doesn’t like cheesebumps.
Who says insurance is boring? @SunLifePH Rocks
Backlog! Travel posts, sorry for dumping you in the drafts section again. Wait ‘til I get hold of that laptop I have been drooling over for quite sometime now. Yep, no biggie that I am a computer programmer without a personal computer. Haha! Thanks to my all-around mobile phone for keeping up with my digital life.
OK, on to feature: The Sun Life Rock Concert Party! What I like the most about the event is that our top executives came out the wackiest, wearing their headturner wigs and very jejemon bling-blings. See if you can spot (clockwise from left) Cindy Lauper, Beethoven David Bowie, aswang KISS (I have a photo with the whole KISS group!), random rocker 1, Bob Marley, Bon Jovi, KISS guy again, Bruce Springsteen, Marie Fredriksson of Roxette, random rocker 2, random rocker 3 (I forgot the others)…
I am guilty, though, of staying under the fashion radar as I only wore brightly-colored jeans, random grunge shirt and my trusty leather jacket. Hihi! See, I have been wearing this leather jacket in Sun Life parties for three straight years now. Eww.
(2009-2011 Christmas Party pics)
Not that I don’t have anything else to wear but I do not have any other ROCK outfit to wear! If you open my closet, it’s mostly flowery dresses, brightly-colored pieces and corporate suits. That’s my genre, which explains the girl in coral jeans amidst the sea of emo blacks and leathers!
So here goes my official congratulatory statement. Kala mo kung sinong importante HAHA! I’m just proud to be a Sun Lifer, to be part of an institution that helps people achieve financial freedom! Congratulations to Sun Life for garnering the top spot in Life Insurance for 2011 (click to read Inquirer)!
#1 for 2011!
That’s me drawing a whimsical sun and that’s Erwin melting like a dracula (kailangan wacky?). On the right is also me with Kirk and his guy-liner.
We partied the night away! Sun Life sure knows how to reward its peeps
That’s me, munching on overflowing nachos, hotdogs, fishballs, etc.
Arnel Pineda, Bloomfields, Papa P, Sugarfree, Parokya… and more
All the hardwork has paid-off. The hardest part is keeping it up. Let’s push it! Again, congrats! Next year (hoping) let’s invite Sarah G., Gary V., Zac E., Taylor S., Pokwang, Mokkilato Gelato yogurt, and Happy Lemon. Thank you!
Photography by Jun Junco, Aimee Alcanites, Juan Erwin, Arren Lateo, Mikki Palacio
Just like my parents, too
“One of the things my dad used to reiterate to us as we were growing up was this… ‘You should find a man who always sees you as the ultimate prize. In this day and age, men look for their equals and settle for the girl who fits the bill—which is fair—but as a man, it’s always better to find a girl who you feel you don’t deserve. If you choose someone who’s a notch higher than what you would expect for yourself, you’ll always fight to keep her. You wake up each morning feeling like you’re the luckiest guy in the world! That’s how it is for me and your mom’.”
“If there’s one simple thing I’d like to pick up from my parents’ marriage, it’s this—-If you love GOD first then loving each other becomes easy.”
Excerpts from Patty Laurel’s post, “30 Years of Bliss”
Nice, noh? This applies to both girls and guys.
50s Summer
I am currently on a mission hunt for the perfect swimmies for my body type. Nakakatawa one of my bestfriends. We went to Boracay last year, and she and my sister had on their two-piece swimsuits, and she was like… “suotin mo yung extra two-piece [of my sister] tapos picture tayo!” Picture picture daw pero sa CR lang. For some strange reason, tawa lang kami ng tawa. Di ko kinaya. Not that I am insecure about my body but I think it’s really not my personality. Maria Clara nga e! Hahaha. I’m deeply happy for those people who can run wild in their undies [sa beach lang ha!] while ako… ang awkward!!! I am not comfortable wearing such because I tend to be very magaslaw, malikot at masayahin sa tubigan like a mermaid cross sporty boy… so baka mahulog lang sa ‘kin ng di ko namamalayan. Hahaha if you know what I mean!
And then, I daydreamt. Paano kung hamunin ako ng photoshoot na dapat naka-swimsuit? Ako na ang hinimatay. If anyone insists at may talent fee naman [na 100k pesos, OK?] , wish ko sanang magsuot ng mga vintage pieces. Ipipilit ko yung most modest retro-style one piece swimsuit. “One piece” para di makita ang aking precious outie bellybutton. Hehehe.
So, would anyone know where can I get some of these in the Philippines? Or mga stores where I can customize?
Ang cute ‘noh tapos may balloons!
Type ko mga scrungie effects na yan sa sides. Ano ba tawag dun?
Tapos the peplooms remind me of my first year high school P.E. days!
Pwedeng terno pa kaming tatlo nila Nice and Danna!
Oh flowers and ruffles! So me!
OK, walang swimsuits dito.. pero in fairness ang cute ng swimming caps! May fringes pang nalalaman.
O ha very vintage ang mga mothers!
Disclaimer: Photos are not my own. I gathered them on the internet in 2010 but I’m not sure which sites.
What’s so good on a Good Friday? Good News
By REPENTING from sins & ACCEPTING Jesus as our Lord & Savior, we are saying, “NO other sacrifice is needed.. what You did on the cross is ENOUGH to save.” And then we live a life 100% for Him.
This made me teary-eyed… “You took the fall and thought of me above all.”
Imperfect Tuesdays
To start a Small Group at work… that WAS my hesitation. But then I was reminded, God uses IMPERFECT PEOPLE. People who knows they’re so imperfect that they CANNOT BOAST OF ANYTHING apart from Him.
Here’s to our fourth Tuesday of meeting strengthening together. Watch, be encouraged and be tickled.
I Heart Draw Something
We are currently out in the mountains and fields of Bukidnon, appreciating God’s awesome creation when an alert pops up on my phone. Ahhha wifi… someone has a draw for me. I’m so hardwired. Hahaha! So cool, this app!
I remember playing with my college buddies laughing our hearts out to Hangman. The same feeling of ‘connecting’ with friends on a different platform, Draw Something unleashes the inner nursery artists in us. These days though, I usually just draw less than 5 a day… But when I do draw, effort kung effort. I appreciate a couple of my friends who feels topak and makes effort too. Haha. Let me share with you some of our game highlights. I just use small screen (phone) and no stylus so don’t judge please! Wala po ako sa kalingkingan ni saybobby, okay? That man is insane inspiring. Hehehe. Marami-rami ito.. kaya’t unahin natin ang fave ‘hero’ costume ko.
Gwapo ni iron noh.
Next is lurkey.. si Edward Scissorhands yan!
O eto naman Belen… may three kings!
Guess why kailangan apat sila… kasi F4! Hahaha effort
Sabi ng kapatid ko iba na raw ang costume ni Cyclops ngayon. Keri
Ang galing nito, nahulaan ata kahiti si Biebs pa lang ang nadodrawing ko at wala pa si Ludacris. Haha expert
Promise akala ko talaga DEATH ito… DREAM pala hahaha! Para kasing 6 feet under.
Ang peg ko talaga dito is yung Prom scene sa Twilight. Harhar
Eto na cutest rabbit!
Miley dancing on a pole. Parental Guidance.
Elevators gotta Elevate. Potatoes gotta potate.
Ang cute ng environment colors ni Erwin dito.
Pansin ninyo si Flaunder? Di siya happy.
Eto mga ni-screenshot kong post ni Glen sa instagram. Di ko nakuhanan tong mga to e. Fave ko na ‘to. Hahaha
Dinrowing ko F.E.U. as suggested by Erwin. Hahaha
At nakadiscover ako ng new technique sa pag-draw. Lines galore!
Drawing naman ni Glen, parang sinapian lang si Miss Star Bucks.
Ang cute ng drawing ng kapatid ko. Hindi sexy.
Drawing ni Glen. Kamukha ng first puppy namin.. si booger.
Eto wala lang… effort na panget. Haha
Asar na asar ako dito ang tagal ng drawing hotdog lang pala haha
Muntik na ata siyang mag-pass dito. Wala kasing Kanye sa letters. Haha
97th Draw namin ni Glentot
Oscars!! Palakpakan sila o.
Ay mali… hahha
ayy mali pa rin… ahahah.. our 99th drawing… kaya END. Wala lang. Haha
Too bad hanggang 99 lang ang App. Weird.
Eto last and the least…
…parang gusto kong tumalon sa bintana… sabihin niyo nga sa ‘kin paano naging RAIN yan? Hahaha
Pang-release ng stress itong app na ‘to kaya kahit minsan na lang ako nakakasagot… sasagot pa rin ako. Tuloy ang ligaya!
if you were a store, what would you be selling?
“If I were” or “If I own”? Weird question. haha. I could not think of an answer to that at this time but if you had asked me that same question about one year ago, I wished I’d be selling/franchising a tea shop. It’s booming now but years back, whenever I crave for tea, I could not find any perfect ones. I was never a coffee person.
This online "scrapbook" is a tiny portion of 
