Iloilo Mass Schedules
Since hubby’s schedule is erratic, we often find ourselves “catching mass” like you do with movie schedules. It’s been a year since we moved to Iloilo, I feel it’s about time we knew the mass schedules in the city . Thus, I went around Iloilo to get the schedules and promised myself I would post it here. (A websearch I did on Iloilo mass schedules returned negative results and this post should correct that lack of information) Thank you for today, Lord.
There’s a Vafalu For You And For Me
Indeed, life is full of surprises. When I decided to move back to my hometown in late 2009, I didn’t have any future plans. All I knew was that Makati life no longer appealed to me. I wanted to come home, to build a real life. I had had enough of the rat race, of chasing after deadlines, of living on fast forward.
Of course, as in anything in life, the reality of living back home did not meet the fantasies I had of Bacolod life. The adjustment was tough in the beginning. My bf (now hubby) still lived an hour’s ferry ride away, and I no longer had my RBG family to hang out with. Eventually, things fell into place. I rediscovered old friendships and nurtured new ones.
On December 28, 2010, hubby and I embarked on our greatest adventure yet. A year later, we have now teamed up with good friends, Luisa and Fay to begin our adventure with Vafalu Design. What was once just a dream is now a reality. Welcome Vafalu.
Special thanks to Nichola Mapa and Mimin Parreno for this fun shoot. It’s early days yet. During this “soft” season in Vafalu’s life, we’ve decided to focus on Kolasa shirts for the upcoming St. Scholastica’s Academy Alumni Homecoming slated on February 11, 2012. Cheers to more creative years with Vafalu.
Firsts
Hubby’s first triathlon, Vafalu Design’s first outing, Vafalu’s first model pictorial….Indeed, it was a weekend of firsts.
On an crisp Saturday morning, we traipsed to the San Francisco Lake Resort in Alangilan with our wares (the cutest tees in the world! Haha.). Hubby had decided to join the triathlon despite a 3 week bout with the flu. I was a little concerned but knew that he would be undeterred. After all, he was a non-swimmer who would dare swim 300 m across an ice cold lake because he felt he was ready for a triathlon. I knew his mind was made up and even envied him the determination to see things through.
I had bought a mountain bike 6 months ago and up to this day I have not gotten beyond Ledesco Village in Iloilo. That’s pretty pathetic progress. Six months after telling hubby: “let’s do a triathlon”, I still haven’t made the necessary changes. Instead of over-analyzing the list of to dos I had yet to accomplish, I decide to focus on what I’m good at. I bring people ideas and then I’m a very good supporter, cheerleader, and encourager…
My Hubby, the Triathlete
So last Saturday, I appointed myself cheerleader and cheered loudly whenever I got glimpses of hubby passing through in his bike and later during the run.
Joy of joys, not only did hubby finish the race (as I knew he would), he placed third too. That and the tale of his being given a handicap is another story. =D Suffice it to say that it was another hectic but colorful weekend.
“Thank you Lord for a husband who’s willing to try new things, for a family who supports my harebrained ideas, for friends who love to dream with me.”
A Sagada Tale – Day 1
For my birthday, hubby and I and a couple of friends went to Sagada. A few weeks before our trip, I found out that trusty old Autobus was no longer operational. Luckily, we were able to make reservations with Cable Tours to get to Bontoc. From Bontoc, we would have to take a jeepney to Sagada.
How we found the bus terminal is a story worthy of another post. Apparently, the terminal was moved from ” near Trinity University” to “a vacant lot which can reached by turning left from the corner where Shakey’s is.” In any case, I don’t think we would have found it if Annie, Donna and Jovy hadn’t stumbled into it and told us the magic directional word “Shakeys”.
After paying a fee of 650php, we were bound for Bontoc. We left Cubao at 8:30 pm and at around 7 am, found ourselves in Banaue, in the land of the famed Banaue Rice Terraces. After much pleading, Mr. Driver agreed to stop by Banaue to allow us to take pictures of the awe-inspiring Banaue Rice Terraces.
On a windy morning, we excitedly took shots of the rice terraces, hoping to capture it in all its majesty. A testament to the ingenuity and industry of Filipinos, the rice terraces remind us of the strength of the human spirit. It is an inspiration to our generation, a reminder to all Filipinos that long before the invaders came, we had our own inventions, our own tools, our own way of life. We have it in us to be great..we just have to find our way as a nation.
We stopped by Bontoc for some hot coffee, the perfect companion to a foggy day. Again, I reflect on how blessed our country is. We have endless choices of places to visit, from awe-inspiring mountains, to rich forests to splendid beaches — all in the Philippines.
Luckily, Mr. Bus Driver decides to take us all the way to Sagada with an additional fee of 100php. Our weary backs and butts welcome the thought of not having to take the one hour jeepney ride from Bontoc to Sagada. Finally, after 12 hours, we find ourselves in Sagada.
We register at the tourist center and pay a minimal fee of 10php. We then check in at Rock Inn, Sagada.
Now, this was a room with a view.
So this is why our inn is named “Rock Inn.”
We make tour arrangements with SAGGAs. Jeff and Kuya Jeff are excited to show us around.
The adventure is about to begin…
To be continued…
Thank You Lu!
Hubby and I are celebrating our first year anniversary in a little over a month! I think it’s high time I finish sharing tips about planning a wedding before I move onto other things. Starting today until our anniversary, I’m sharing the little things I loved about our wedding.
A Thank You Card From the Heart
This little cartoon was created by my illustrator/artist friend Luisa Gonzales. 🙂 As I’ve said in a previous post, a wedding is a reflection of the couple.
Hubby and I have always loved going on adventures and well, the beach ranks quite high on our fave places to go. In fact, the beach has often been a backdrop to our love story. Thanks to Lu, we have this cartoon that captures just how much hubby and I love the beach.
A Walk in the Clouds – A Sagada Tale
Just a few hours ago, I received confirmation that the career shift I’m after may be happening sooner that I expected. I’m overwhelmed by our Lord’s timing. On that very same week (my birthday week), hubby and I have planned a birthday trip to Sagada. It’s been 3 years since my last visit and to say that I’m excited is an understatement. Of all the places I’ve visited in the Philippines, Sagada remains to be my favorite.
I want to stand in awe of the terraces again, I want to plunge into the cold rivers of Bomod-ok falls, I want to be unnerved by the sight of the hanging coffins, I want to just sit still while atop Kiltepan peak. Sagada is a study of contrasts. You are at once,in a place of frenetic activity and yet enveloped by a feeling of stillness..of peace. It’s a place forgotten by time.
Everything seems to be set. After my career thing, we’ll be taking the bus to Sagada. Another adventure awaits us and this time, I promise to document the experience.
At Kiltepan Peak
We survived Sagada!
Bantayan: Welcome to an Idyllic Existence
It’s one windy morning in the Island of Negros. An image of the beach flits through my mind. However much I wish, I cannot do anything about the weather. I decide to revisit Bantayan in pictures and take comfort in the solace it offers world-weary travellers.
The Bantayan Municipal Hall –
The port of Bantayan – This is what the Spaniards saw when they first visited the island.
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church – Located at the heart of the town, just across the town plaza, the church, like most Filipino churches of this time is made of coral stones put together by a mixture of tree sap and limestone.
Finished in 1863, the church is the seat of the first and, therefore, oldest parish in Visayas and Mindanao which was founded on June 11, 1580 since the Convento de la Asuncion de Nuestra Senora was at the time, under the direct supervision of the Diocese of Manila.
The town plaza is a testament to the municipality’s commitment to eco-tourism. Everything is green in Bantayan. Proper waste disposal is observed, even the markets are clean.
See how the dried fish sellers have organized their wares… =)
The Omagieca Mangrove Park
Kota Park Madridejos Walkway
After a long day of walking around the beach, we spent a chillaxing in town.
Another Bridal Shower
I’m a sucker for celebrations. Bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, birthdays are wonderful reasons to celebrate and I celebrate them with gusto. Last night, I was at a high school friend’s bridal shower. We had way too much fun chatting that the “naughty games” were forgotten.
In the spirit of giving back, I’m sharing pictures of my own bridal shower and that of my sister’s. Since hubby and I would be getting married in Boracay, my MOH/bestfriend/sister #1 came up with a luau theme for my party.
Aloha, Mrs. Alova
We all dressed for the occasion and thanks to Sister #2 had a great time with the games.
My “Goodbye to Singlehood” cake with real shells. =)
My friends and family came home with these sweet little things. 😉
In the interest of privacy, I’m withholding some of the pictures. I will not go into details but the surprise featuring hubby was a great hit that night. ;D
The Burlesque Party
Six months later, my sister also had her bridal shower. This time, we went all out and did a Burlesque theme.
Indeed, life is short. I have decided to say yes to all celebrations. I had a slight fever last night but I still managed to attend my friend’s wedding shower. I’m no longer saying no to moments. Life must be celebrated..that is the only way to live.
A Honeymoon with the Lord
Hubby and I just graduated from our Marriage Encounter Weekend. I’m tired and happily exhausted from all the eating, writing, laughing, dancing and crying we did. (I will not go so far as to spoil the surprise by revealing the details of the M.E.) In the words of hubby, it was “a blast, although of an emotional and spiritual nature”.
I was awed by the different faces of love at the M.E. Indeed, love transcends distance, age, race and even religion. Hubby and I have been changed forever. It is our hope that we will be able to live out what we learned during the M.E. We hope that with the Lord as our partner, we can make our marriage even BETTER. =)
1 Corinthians 13:13 says “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
God’s Little Miracles
On a limited budget and with two month’s preparations (but with the abundant support of friends and family), the Lord gave us the wedding of our dreams. As a bonus, he led a lovely couple who just happened to be publishers of a travel magazine, to notice us while we had our sunset photoshoot near Willy’s Rock. The result of such a joyous happenstance is this article:
Life is full of miracles. Our wedding was God’s gift to us and this article, well, this is a testament to the wonder of God’s love.
A Fun Wedding Needs a Great Host
In the spirit of giving back, I’m posting the draft of our wedding reception program to serve as reference for brides to be…
DINNER RECEPTION Program and Script
By Kaye Parreno
Call to Order
NOTE: Test microphone before speaking.
Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. May I have your attention please. We are about to begin our Dinner Reception so please find a seat and make yourself comfortable.
Let us begin this celebration with a prayer to be led by __________. Let us all stand, bow down our heads and put ourselves in the presence of God. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Opening Prayer by __________
Heavenly Father,
Love has been your richest and greatest gift to this world.
Love between a man and a woman which matures into marriage.
Today, we celebrate that love.
Lord for the joy of this occasion, we thank You.
For Your presence here and now and at all times, we thank You.
Protect, guide, and bless Raymund and Val and everyone present here.
Surround us with Your love now and always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Welcome Address
A pleasant evening to everyone! Welcome to the celebration fo Raymund and Valerie’s Greatest Day Ever. This beach is indeed a fitting setting for our newlyweds as we mark the beginning of their life together. So sit, down, enjoy the cool breeze, and enjoy the rest of the evening.
I am Kaye, the Maid of Honor, and your host for the night. We thank you all for gracing this occasion, especially those who took a leave of absence from work or school, and those who have traveled miles just to be with us today. In behalf of Raymund and Val, and their proud parents, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude for your presence tonight. It is indeed a pleasure to have you all here.
Introduction and Acknowledgments
Parents of the Newlyweds
Before anything else, we would like to acknowledge the persons who took a great part of this joyous affair. For without their support, this even would not have been made possible. Ladies and Gentlement, it is with great pleasure to introduce to you the Parents of the Bride, Mr and Mrs. Joe and Carmen Parreno.
(Optional: description of parents?)
And of course, let us get to know the Parents of the Groom. Friends, let us give a big hand to Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Nora Alova. (Optional: description of parents?)
Principal Sponsors
We would also like to acknowledge our Principal Sponsors. Starting off with the ladies..
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
- __________________ – description
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, our most distinguished set of principal sponsors. A Round of applause! Thank you Sir and Madam, for taking time out to be with us.
Family and Friends
A wedding brings two people and their families together. It refreshes the family ties and friendship that have gone stale and almost forgotten against the toll of time and distance. For this allow me to give a very special welcome to the families and friends who traveled away from home to be here.
From the Bride’s Side:
- _____
- _____
- _____
- _____
- _____
From the Groom’s Side:
- _____
- _____
- _____
- _____
- _____
Also with us here togight, it is our pleasure to have Rev _____________, our officiating priest for the wedding ceremony.
So I guess that’s about it.
Entrance of the Bridal Party
At this point, I assume everyone has settled down. May I request our lovely cousin _____ (Manang Grace?) to please facilitate the welcoming party for our newlyweds.
Background Music: __________________
Description – voice over/MC
- Flower Girls:
- ______________ Description:
- _______________ Description:
- Bearers
- Bible:_______________ Description:
- Coin:_______________ Description:
- Ring:_______________ Description:
- Secondary sponsors
- _______________ Description:
- _______________ Description:
- _______________ Description:
- Groomsmen + Bridesmaids
- _______________ Description:
- _______________ Description:
- _______________ Description:
- Best man + Maid of Honor
- _______________ Description:
- _______________ Description:
GRAND ENRANCE OF BRIDE & GROOM
Tonight calls for a grand celebration and it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you for the very first time Raymund and Valerie as husband and wife. So without further ado, let us all rise and give our warmest welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Raymund and Valerie Alova!
(Newlyweds enter the hall)
(Grand entrance of the couple with effects like bubble and fog and confetti?)
(Spotlight on the couple)
BRIDAL PARTY DANCE: Music: Marry Me song c/o Mimin
– Whew! What an opening number! Excitement and positive energy are already starting to brew in this splendid beach wedding party, and that’s only the beginning!
To facilitate the official opening of this night’s event, a few words will be given by the Groom’s Parents. May I request Tito ______ and Tita _______ for the opening message.
OPENING MESSAGE: from Groom’s Parents?
Thank you tita and tito. Well I guess it’s time. The food is ready and dinner will commence in a while. May I call on _________________ to say grace.
GRACE before meals: Nang Aileen
Just before DINNER
All right, dinner is served. But not so fast, ladies and gentlemen. First you have to prove you deserve this sumptuous feast by proving to us all that you know a little something about the Bride and the Groom. So here’s the mechanics of this little pre-dinner game. You are grouped according to your table. Each table has a name corresponding to every little adventure Raymund and Valerie have experienced. I give out a Trivia Question and one member from each table stands up, shouts out the table name, and is given the chance to answer. If the answer is correct, then congratulations! Your table gets to approach the buffet table first! Val, Raymund, you watch out for who stands up first. If the first answer is wrong, the other tables get a chance to steal. Ok? Is that clear enough? All set?
Now for the first question…
Trivia questions c/o Manang Pech
- ??? – Congratulations table Corregidor! To the Buffet Table now! J
- ??? and so on…
DINNER
May I have your attention please. While you are eating to your tummy’s content, the newlyweds would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone personally for your presence. As your table is called, please approach Raymund and Valeie to have your picture taken. Simultaneously, our beautiful Bridesmaids will be distributing wedding giveaways and passing along the guest book so please stand by in your seats.
– Souvenir Picture Taking while Background Music: “Favorite Hits”
– Wedding Giveaways
– Guest book
Val’s dear friend Dee and her dear boyfriend ______, will now have the chance fill your hearts with songs. May I call on Dee and ___________, for a lovely serenade.
Thanks u Dee. Now, may I direct your focus on a little presentation here, prepared by the Bride and Groom, to share with you the simple travels they have shared in their journey of knowing each other
– AVP: Video/ powerpoint presentation of Adventures
Thank you for sharing those memorable times with us, Raymund and Val. Now give us the chance to share something special with you..
– AVP: Messages from people who are not present
CAKE cutting by Bride and Groom
Okay. So are you guys done with the main course? Ready to go for dessert? By all means, help yourself.
Speaking of dessert, it’s now time for the traditional Cake Cutting by the Bride and Groom. Raymund, Valerie, can you guys join me here..
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The cake has been cut. May I now request the waiters to please serve the cake to our guests.
– Happy Marriage Secrets. Each time the guests “cling” their glass for the couple to kiss, the couple would kiss and the MC would have them call on another married couple to share their “secret” to a happy marriage and then kiss.
BOUQUET THROW
– Mechanics to be clarified further
– Singled Out Bridal Catch
P.s. It drizzled during dinner. We didn’t let that dampen our spirits though. Of course, the chair covers got wet, hence, the “naked” chairs. =)
– Picture with new “couple”
TOAST and WISHES
A celebration is never complete without a toast and a bottle of good wine. While the wine is being served and poured, let us hear from the well-wishers who have been a significant part of the lives of the couple, who love them and wish the best for them. Starting off with:
WISHES
- Tito Tony: description
- Gay: description
TOAST
Best Man waits for everyone to stand up and see to it that everyone has raised their glasses and says: (something like) Here’s to good health, happiness, good luck and prosperity to Raymund and Val! Cheers!
- all guests are requested to rise and participate
- what to serve? Wine?
Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen. You may now be seated.
GAMES: Introducing the Game Masters: Jill and Boogs!
– Married Couple Statue Dance. All the married couples at the wedding join the newlyweds on the dance floor and each couple will be eliminated based on the # of years they’ve been married (the fewest to the most years).
TRIBUTE to parents
Video Presentation: Tribute
Mother/Son – Father/Daughter Dance followed by FIRST DANCE: Music: Teenage Dream
It is said that our parents are our first teachers, raising us patiently from childhood to adulthood. They have been our source of comfort, support and inspiration.
Raymund and Valerie are truly blessed with such wonderful set of parents, and I’m quite sure when it comes to knowing what marriage is all about, hey always have a word or two to share to their children. We would like to call on the Father (or mother?) of the Bride, Joe/Carmen Parreno, to say a few words of wisdom.
Thank you, Dad/Mom. Thank you for that inspiring message. Now we would like to call on the Father/Mother of the Groom, for words of wisdom that life and experience have taught.
Thank you once again. Let us give them a big hand for such wonderful and meaningful testimonies. Tito and Tita, Mom and Dad, this video is for you.
– Video: c/o Nong Raymund and Manang Pech
– (Music plays in the background, and the newlyweds invite their father/mother to dance)
– Father/daughter and Mother/son dance
BRIDE & GROOM speech
The night and this celebration has almost come to an end but for our newlyweds, it is just a start of their new life together. As we each go our separate ways, may this day be as memorable for all of us as it is to them. To personally convey their heartfelt gratitude let us now listen to what Raymund and Valerie have to say..
(After speech, Raymund invites the guests to go by the shore and form a farewell circle)
THE FAREWELL CIRCLE: Raymund and Val go on inside the circle and starting from opposite sides, bids each guest thank you and goodbye until reach each other.
(Everybody hold hands. Bridesmaids distribute sparklers) Raymund and Val dances while the sparklers are lit up.
Music fades in from the background: ___________________
Another dance from the couple
EXIT: Golf cart with “Just Married”
(MC leads the applause as the couple drive away.. Mimin, takes over..)
(People head back to the reception area.)
Well, what an exquisite ending to a beautiful day. We have finally reached the end of our program, ladies and gentlemen. It has been momentous, sharing this evening with you all. Again, thanks for coming. God bless, and enjoy the rest of the night.
MIMIN takes over and the DANCING BEGINS!
— Open Ending—
Tips for a Beach Wedding – Part 1
A week ago, colleague’s daughter got married in Boracay. I’m reminded of my own beach wedding and the purpose of this blog. Considering how long it has been since I’ve written about planning a wedding, I’d be remiss in my duty as a would be “wedding blogger” if I don’t post a wedding related post soon. After all, December’s coming–wedding high season. Its high time that I get started blogging my tips for brides to be.
1. Tone/Mood
Light and breezy, that’s what beach weddings are about. Thus, when planning a beach wedding, keep in mind that your guests just want to have fun. Throw formality out of the window..and put on your gayest smile. Except for the church ceremony, the cocktails and the reception should be a big party, a laidback celebration of love.
2. Church Ceremony
If you’re getting married in the Holy Rosary Chapel, make arrangements with your florists to decorate the chapel’s door. If you want to create the ethereal effect of a bride entering the church, you’ll have to have a white curtain cover the entrance. The door of the chapel is quite heavy and closing the door before the bride enters. is not something even the strongest of men can manage without a squeak. Besides, why have them go through all that trouble. In my case, my friend Lore of “Chic and Choc’s Party Shop”, did a beautiful job of creating a simple curtain for me. Jez, Jans, Dee and their significant others where there to make sure that the curtains opened for me at the right moment. (As you may already have noticed, DIY weddings won’t be possible without the support of family and friends.)
3. Transportation
Remember that there are no taxis or jeepneys in Boracay. You take your pick between a trike and a walk to get where you want to go. I walked to my wedding under the sweltering heat of sun but I got away with it because our resort was just in front of the Church. Given the proximity of the church to Boracay Plaza Resort, we also didn’t have to arrange transportation for our guests.
The Mystery of Anawangin
Republished from an old travel blog of mine (2008).
I was feeling overwhelmed by work the day I said yes to Anawangin. Usually, I’d have read some blogs already, I’d have seen pictures of the place but I was just too busy to check. Thus, I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was that I wanted to get away for the weekend, to be able to forget my troubles if only for a short while. And forget them, I did…
I was drowsy from our 4 hour road trip. I sleepily got into the boat but the waves stirred my senses to life. The waves were unusually huge and it was disconcerting to see them have their way with our tiny boat (it could only carry a max of 4 persons!). To make matters worst, Anawangin was too far off to be seen from the pier. It was pretty much an adventure into unforgiving seas. I noticed our boatman navigating the boat, avoiding the rock formations that were around us. The waves crashed into the iceberg-like rocks and gave me an inkling of how our tiny boat would fare against the rocks. That boat ride pretty much summed up our Anawangin experience… a glimpse into the lush, raw and almost violent beauty of nature.
Thirty minutes later, we found ourselves in Anawangin. A wide stretch of almost white sand, alternately lined with pine trees (not coconut trees!) and tents greeted my sight. We arrived whilst another group was leaving. One of them had drowned and had to be rushed to the hospital in town. The fatalist in me didn’t let that incident dampen our spirits.
We hurriedly set up our campsite knowing that it would be dark soon. One group of campers observed our laughable and awkward attempts to set up our tent and came over to assist us. Seeing our difficulty in cooking our rice over charcoal, they offered us the use of their portable stove. Here, the Bayanihan spirit flourished.
There was no electricity in the area, no facilities except for tiny almost-makeshift shower rooms, no cell sites. This was it, the authentic camping experience. With no technology with us, the food and conversation kept flowing. We slept under the stars, sated with the realization that life is truly beautiful.
This was a place where time stood still. I could imagine myself lying on the beach and getting cozy while reading a novel. This was a place for reflection, a place where you could actually hear your thoughts.
Since we wanted to see the rest of the islands, we had to leave early the next day. The waves would be stronger in the afternoon and no boatman would risk a visit to the neighboring islands then.
The next day, we left early for Capones Island, an island that I found was full of contradictions. It was like you had visited three different places and not just one. Not only was there a beach and a small cove but there was a towering cliff where you could view the whole island. Atop one of the cliffs was a lighthouse. It would have been nice to visit the lighthouse but our boatman insisted that it was too dangerous to attempt to cross the waves to get there.
I was reluctant to leave. I wanted to drown myself in the experience. I wanted to get lost and be found again. But reality beckoned. Thanks to Anawangin, I felt my spirits revived. I was ready for the world again.
The Beginning
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney
When I turned 25, I resolved to visit the land of my childhood–Disneyland.
I am a Disney baby. I grew up memorizing “I Can Show You the World” and “When You Wish Upon a Star”, I shed tears when Bambi’s mother died and I even wept for Wall-E, who roamed the streets of the Earth alone. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried buckets the very moment I stepped on Disneyland. It was a joyful homecoming…it was also when I found a new passion..I found the adventurer in me and I haven’t been the same since. 😉 It was quite fitting that I would realize my dream in the land where dreams come true. =)
A Daring Adventure
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.” Helen Keller
I remember reading a book where the writer espoused the view that inspiration isn’t found, it is not something you look for. He said that inspiration is something inside you, it is something that comes from within. Today, I awakened to the truth of that statement.
All my life, I have been a restless soul. For so long, I’ve been so worried about not having figured things out, about not knowing what I want from life. I’ve fretted about dying before finding my real and all-consuming passion. Recently though, I’ve found myself inspired by life itself, by the strength of love, by the enduring bonds of family, by the beauty that seems to abound in everyone I meet. I don’t know if this will last. This feeling of knowing that everything will be right in the world, that things may not be perfect now and they never will be, but that eventually, the imperfections won’t matter at all.
I thank the Lord for taking me on this journey. It’s has been one thrilling adventure after another. I haven’t been spared the hurts and tears that come with a journey but I have also been blessed with joyous moments and loving memories. After 30 years, my heart is finally at peace. =) Indeed, life is beautiful. =)
His Vows
In the rush of planning our wedding, I wasn’t able to prepare my vows. It totally slipped my mind that when the priest actually asked us to say our vows, my mind went literally blank. Hubby went first. My heart fluttered and tears of joy fell from my eyes. Clearly, I had married a man after my own heart…someone who’d write me “sweet nothings” hopefully until I’m old and gray.
I busily composed my vows in my mind. There were so many things I wanted to say. However, come crunch time, I stuck to what I knew, afraid that I’d disintegrate into a mess of tears if I actually spoke from the heart. Indeed, God knows best. He sent me Raymund, who is as assertive as I am passive, who is as oc as I am disorganized, who’d consider living in Big Brother’s House while I shun publicity. He sent me a man who is as curious about life, as eager to go on adventures, as passionate about travelling/backpacking as I am. As such, I feel blessed and I pray that we will grow old with each other, with the Lord in the center of our lives.
Sunset in Boracay
Ode to the Sea
On a rainy day such as this, I miss the feel the feel of the sun on my skin, the sound of the waves, the smell of the sea. I miss the promise that summer brings…
In the Isle of Guimaras: Where Legends Abound.
Too Much On My Plate?
The entire day, I’ve been glued to my PC, storing DIY templates, bookmarking websites on US constitutional Law and surveying the records on my desk. I have accomplished a little of something, so all is not lost. 🙂
I’m that type of person. When fixing my room, I spend a few minutes on cleaning and hours rereading magazines, books and letters that I’m supposed to put in order. Or I begin one task and then, before finishing, move to another. To sum it up, my problem has always been finishing projects. Not all projects in particular, but projects with no deadlines.
I had no problem with school or the bar or even lawyering because there were time periods I had to meet. Now, I am in control of my time. Time is a luxury I enjoy and it is something I haven’t been able to control–yet.
I am trying to change that though. I am married now. Although, we still are in a long distance relationship, we are a legal “us”. That means that we have to make plans, set deadlines for our goals. It means going beyond our adventures and making day to day decisions. It means getting the “fun” us to also do some “serious” time. I know that it’s early days yet and there’ll be more adjustments to make in the future. Like hubby is sick with fever now. I want to visit him but can’t because I have work here. 😦
I am confident though that the Lord is looking out for us. Stay tuned, life will only get better. 🙂
The Layout to Love
Six months after our wedding and a few days before our relatives arrived for my sister’s wedding, our wedding scrapbook arrived. This is what a DIY Boracay wedding looks like.
The Little Things That Make a Wedding
Knowing we had only two months to plan, hubby and I made the most of every waking hour. We employed the help of family and friends. It was amazing how things fell into place. We only made one visit to Boracay to meet with our suppliers and yet we pulled it off. It really was because our Lord guided us every step of the way.
What a blessing Nonoy (our make up artist) was to us. Before him I had had at least 3 trials with 3 different make up artists. Luckily, hubby and I bumped into his Tita who was also a wedding organizer. She referred us to Nonoy and that was it. A match made in beauty heaven. 🙂
Sibling Love
As early as 6:30 am, hubby and I were already up preparing for our 2:00 pm wedding. Make up session began at 7:00 am. My sisters Kaye and Mimin joined me on my last night as a singleton. We were all exhausted from all the travelling we had to do. Suffice it to say that we just slept the night through.
The Holy Rosary Chapel, Boracay Island, Philippines
Since we were staying at the Boracay Plaza Resort, which was located right in front of the church, I opted to walk to my wedding. With my brother holding an umbrella to shield me from the warm rays of the sun and my younger sister holding my train, it was a fitting start to a beautiful new life.
The Groom – My hubby, a loving, kind and adventurous man who takes good care of me. =)
The entourage – Our hearts swelled at the sight of relatives, family and friends who came all the way to Boracay from the Philippines and all over the world despite the short notice.
A Walk to Love
Mixed emotions..that’s what I felt. I was certain that the man standing, waiting for me at the altar was the one but still, it was a little sad kissing my mom and dad and leaving them, to walk toward him.
“When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the very angels desert heaven and come and sit in that house and sing for joy.” ~ Indeed, it was a joyful affair. I’ve always loved weddings and I’m proud to say that I loved mine the most. (haha, love your own.)
Love is beautiful and weddings, well, they are the most definitive form of celebrating love.
A wedding is not just joining of two souls. It too is the joining of families, the union of two houses. I am now not only a Parreno but also an Alova. 🙂
We hadn’t thought of how we would get from the Church to the venue. We figured we could easily walk to the reception. After all, it was just across the Church! However, Ms. Vicky of Boracay Plaza Resort lent us her car and driver for the occasion. We were pleasantly surprised to find a wedding car waiting to take us to the venue.
Boracay Plaza Resort
Our 90 or so guests were treated to cocktails and some light snacks while we went off to the beach in search of the perfect shots. We prepared a hosts of things for them to do, a jigsaw puzzle, a DIY photo and video booth. However, the concept of Do It Yourself in the Philippines hasn’t quite caught on. While we had put signs asking them to record a message for us, no one actually did. Still, it was a pleasant exercise in understanding the pysche of the Filipino wedding goer.
Our host and my maid of honor Kaye, kept the mood light and breezy. Also, since only close relatives and friends were there, they knew each other and were excited at the opportunity to reconnect. Besides, Boracay is a paradise, guests pretty much entertained themselves.
It was a beautiful night filled with lots of singing and dancing. Laughter filled the air as we celebrated love, the love between a husband and wife, the love among family, relatives and friends.
The Greatest Adventure of Our Lives
And this is the story of our love. 🙂
This my friends, is the start of our greatest adventure yet. Hope you enjoyed viewing the pictures.
Another Wedding in the Family
Four days ago, my younger sister walked down a church aisle lined with purple hydrangeas, an angelic vision in white lace. It was a culmination of 7 months of planning, 7 months that took my sister and her groom on a whirlwind round of photo and video ops in different locations around the island of Negros.
20 pairs of sponsors in varying shades of silver and gray heralded the start of the bridal march. It took my breath away seeing her looking so happy and beautiful, a radiant bride excited to begin a new life with her dashing groom. It was a fitting beginning to a love story that began in an inauspicious setting, at a doctor’s clinic, no less.
It was a beautiful wedding between two beautiful souls. I may not have the words to aptly describe how beautiful the entire wedding was but believe me, it felt like a fairy tale…a wedding fit for a princess. Then again, that is who Kaye is..our darling princess. 🙂 Sweet, amiable, loving and kind, she is a Disney princess, cast in the same mold as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. Everyone takes to her as she is able to put everyone at ease, she is magical…she’s the closest a human can get to being magical anyway.
That said, my advice to all would be brides is this: “a wedding should always be a reflection of who the bride is.” In my sister’s case, it was fit for a princess. 🙂 Her talent and creativity and eye for exceptional beauty shone through every detail of her wedding. In my case, it was as laidback and carefree as I am. We both got the wedding of our dreams and that my friends, is what every bride should aspire for. 🙂
Distance between Iloilo and Bacolod City
It’s a sunny Tuesday morning in the City of Smiles. I am thinking of hubby, who is in Iloilo working at a hospital. I realize that I don’t even know how far Bacolod is from Iloilo. I know that it is an hour ferry ride away but what about in terms of distance? I google it and find these answers. According to http://www.trueknowledge.com, the distance is 43.82 kilometres. Flightpedia.org states that the flying distance from Iloilo to Bacolod is 43 kilometers (equals to 26 miles or 23 nautical miles.) Travelmath.com is a website that gives driving directions. It doesn’t seem to realize that Iloilo and Bacolod and islands though, I laugh when I see it draw a straight line linking the two cities, it seems you will just have to drive through the seas and Buenavista, Guimaras. That will have to wait til the day flying cars are invented though.
A Map to Our Happy Ever After: A Wedding Map
From another site, I got the idea to create a wedding map. We were getting married in Boracay and to correct the misconception (as there are no churches in Boracay) that we were having the ceremony at the beach , I set out drawing a map of the church and the venue for the reception. Despite my awkward attempts to draw, our map was well-received. At the back portion, we included information about Boracay, where to go, what to do, where to eat. I love how we were able to personalize our wedding despite our limited budget. Like I’ve always said, research pays off. =)
Life with Raymund and Valerie 