Good Things Come in Threes

When I was growing up in my small and sleepy hometown, I would often wonder why our town mayor would always be invited in weddings. Not only that, he would also often sit as one of the principal sponsors or ninongs. In my young mind, I thought it was mandatory to invite the mayor in all the townfolks' weddings.

When I became an adult, I realized that the ninong and ninang are there to serve as the pricincipal witnesses of one's wedding. After all, they are the ones who sign in one's marriage certificate, not the couple's parents or siblings. They also serve as second parents and role models to the newlyweds.

When husband and I planned our wedding, we both agreed that we shall only have three pairs of principal sponsors. Because really, why have a dozen pairs when you barely know them and their marriages are not even worthy of being emulated? It was not so difficult for me to pick those who will serve as our godparents. I personally know the two ninangs and ninongs while husband personally picked the other pair.

Since today is our 3rd wedding anniversary, I would like to give tribute to our three pairs of ninongs and ninangs.

1) Dr. Victoria Albacete

Maam Vicky was my drama teacher back in my senior year in college. When I started teaching at WVSU, we became officemates and very good friends. As I was just a new faculty member then, I appreciated her listening to my lovelife woes and to my personal struggles. I look up to her because she is steadfast in her faith, committed to her family, and managed to grow in her career despite having two young children. She and her husband may have had challenges, but she is always calm and poised - an epitome of grace under pressure. I'll always keep in my mind what she told me - to rest my soul in Jesus because His love is constant. Thank you, Maam Vicky for always keeping us in your praying heart.

2) Dr. Eleonora Padilla

Maam Boging was my teacher in several of my major subjects in college. Most of my classmates who became teachers themselves would always give credit to Maam Boging for inspiring them to take the path of the noble profession. I was one of those who was inspired, too. It was always interesting to listen to her stories and her generosity knows no bounds. We were welcome to barge into her office and into her home anytime of the day. Her marriage and family life reflect the kind of person she is - warm, welcoming, and inspiring. Thank you, Maam Bogs for your kind words and gentle reminders during our wedding day. Please continue to be an inspiration to your students and may you have many more couples to serve as ninang to.

3) Dr. Daisy Altamera

Doc Daisy is the reason why husband has a nakakasilaw smile. She is a dentist by profession, and she has been taking care of husband's teeth ever since he was still in diapers. I have heard about her humble beginnings, and it is inspiring to see her now - a flourishing dental clinic as well as a successful mother of three grown-up children who are also making a name for themselves. Thank you, Tita Ninang for honoring our wedding with your presence and of course, for giving husband his shining molars.

*I have decided to use the Ninangs' professional titles to remind myself that these women I look up to were able to juggle motherhood, family life, and career.

Now on to the Ninongs...

1) Engr. Randy Rabe

Ninong Randy and wife, Irish's love story is something hopeless romantics would love to listen to. It reminds me to never give up and to pursue someone who is worth pursuing. He flew all the way from Singapore to stand as our ninong on our wedding day. We really appreciate it. Ninang Irish couldn't make it because she was pregnant with their second baby then. They now have three beautiful sons, by the way. As for their love story, you just have to ask them yourself about how they ended up together. Thank you, Ninong Randy for the generosity of your time, for your kindness to Axe (when he was still a Totoy) and for your gift of friendship.

2) President Carlos P. Garcia

I would like to say that Sir Caloy was the father I never had. We met as readers in the Lector's Ministry of St. Clement's more than 6 years ago. When I was troubled at work or when I had to make a tough decision, I would consult him and he would always be generous of his time. I remember asking him about a guy I just met whom I was attracted to and how anxious I was about my feelings (I'm referring to husband, of course). His kind words made me feel confident after. Thank you, Ninong Caloy for never failing to listen to me and for believing in what I can do. 

*I am not joking about his President title because once upon a time, he served as the President of our Lector's Ministry. And yes, his complete name is really Carlos P. Garcia.

3) Freedom Father Pol Espanola

Ninong Pol and I met at the Toastmasters Club Iloilo Chapter. I remember vividly about one topic where he was asked about marriage. He claimed to be someone who was not such a good speaker, but when he talked about his marriage, he was confident, spontaneous, and downright funny. I was single then, but when he ended his speech, I told myself that that's just the kind of marriage that I want for myself. Ninong Pol, aka TM Pol also likes to call himself Freedom Father because he advocates financial freedom and financial literacy which he has successfully promoted. We followed his advice of not buying a car nor a house. Why does he give this kind of advice? Ask him yourself. He is very much accommodating when you have questions about money and investments. Thank you, Ninong Pol for that wide smile and for that Ninongly advice you gave on our wedding day (you always rock as a public speaker). 

Thank you, Ninongs and Ninangs for accepting our invitation of being our principal sponsors. We look up to you not just because your marriages are worth emulating but also because individually, you rock!

So, to those who are getting hitched and are planning their entourage list, don't include someone as your principal sponsor just because he/she is your mom's bestfriend, your baptism godparent, or God forbid, your town mayor! Choose someone you know personally and someone you could look up to in your marriage. 

Our Love Story

Most of our close friends and family members think our love story started on that fateful day of August 8, 2013, where we were formally introduced and were "arranged" to have lunch together.

I couldn't even look at you here.

What they don't know is that it started way back here...

We were strangers back then.

This photo was taken on December 2012. It was during the mass celebration and tribute for your former elementary teacher and my colleague, Prof. Hulleza. We were never introduced here contrary to what you said. I was sitting at the very back with some WVSU co-teachers, and you were sitting with Mabik here. But I do remember your nape and of course, your performance (you sang the song Maam Hulleza taught you). Your singing was so-so and unremarkable but your nape struck me. I remember telling myself, "This guy has such a dark nape!" I then inspected the rest of you. Looking at your Intel shirt, I assumed that you're an IT guy working in the Middle East because of your dark skin. That afternoon didn't feel so significant at all, but looking back now, I can only marvel at how love works in mysterious ways. 

We never crossed paths again until 8 months after, when your sister and cousin (and aunt?) arranged for us to meet. I had second thoughts when your sister, (Manang) Hazel invited me to eat lunch with Helen Joy because we've have never been that close. I was suspicious when she said she'll bring her brother along (you). I went anyway because I thought there's no harm in joining a different company for lunch. So we ate in this Korean resto where we had to sit on the floor and you sat across me! I felt uncomfortable because I didn't know you that well, and how do you start a conversation with someone good-looking? I was attracted and intimidated at the same time. Then, you commented that I was holding my chopsticks wrong and handed me a spoon. I remember my face turning hot with embarrassment because your comment made me feel stupid. I thought you were fresh and such a smart aleck for saying those things out loud. Anyway, I vowed to myself that I would never join in such a "lunch" again and God forbid - meet you again.

As I said, love moves in mysterious ways. After that lunch, Helen Joy sent me a message to join her for a barbeque at their place the coming weekend. I was going to say no, but I couldn't come up with an alibi, so I said yes with a note of caution that it will be the last time I'll go out to join them and their "arrangements."

Hi, Rafa!

Well, what do you know? I actually enjoyed talking with you. You brought me home and asked for my number and that made me feel really giddy. That "Saturdate" perhaps sealed our fate. 

With Scoutie who became our flower girl the next year

The next day which was a Sunday, we attended mass together and we had lunch in Sheridan, Oton. Then, on Monday, we had lunch in Cilantro, where laughing over a bowl of pho, I had an epiphany where I told myself, "I think I'm going to marry this guy." It was in the same line of thought as the one I had when I told myself that you had such a dark nape. It came out of nowhere, but the only difference this time was I felt like flying because of sheer bliss. You have to go back to Singapore that very night, but I was determined to communicate with you somehow. That night, I sent you a "may you have a safe trip" message. I wanted to sound casual, but I was in love already. 

...And so, we communicated through Skype. I figured that you liked me, too. Why else would you spend late nights chatting about random and silly things with me? Those late nights, however made me groggy and useless at work the next day. Plus, I was daydreaming of you most of the time, so the papers I needed to check took a backseat until they accumulated. There were tons of work to do, too. I was angry at myself for getting carried away by my feelings. So I did what any crazy person would do - I blamed you!

It seemed like a good idea to blame you because the next thing I knew, you were also confessing your feelings for me, and that prompted you to take the next flight home. We had a good talk in Esplanade and we took that mighty leap of faith together. That was August 31, 2013. We met August 8, 2013, so you can imagine just how fast that was. Then 5 months after on January 26, 2014, you proposed!

How could I say no to you? You had me at hello. I felt like floating the entire time that day. We got married seven months after you proposed. Then, I got pregnant with Thirdy right away. God has been smiling down at us. 

Ah, the glory of love!

Today is September 20, 2015, and we are celebrating our first wedding anniversary. I can't say that it has been a bed of roses the whole time. We have our differences, but then we vowed to make these differences work so we could complement each other. What's great about our first wedding anniversary is that it's no longer just the two of us now - it's already three of us! I think the greatest gift that we have received for our anniversary is that we were presented with another role - as parents. It's a big responsibility, but it's been a rewarding experience, so far. 

It's been a year that we took that major leap of faith. Your nape is still dark, I still suck at using chopsticks, and we still have our Skype dates, but we're better, older, wiser - and I'm still truly, madly, and deeply in love with you. 

Cheers to one year of love! Our love story continues...