Do you have a couple theme song?

When I was in my teens, I love having theme songs. I even had a theme song for every crush I had. Somehow, it reminded me of those cute guys who made my day complete.

When we attended our Pre-cana seminar and we were asked what our theme song is. I honestly answered "none". There were lots of songs which became a part of our relationship but we never really considered them our theme song.

The only couple theme song I couldn't forget was "It might be you" by two of my closest friends. It made me very cautious of choosing songs back then because it might define how the story will go. Since it was "it 'MIGHT' be you" meaning "unsure", they didn't end up together. *peace*

So is it weird that we do not have a theme song?

This morning, Abryan suddenly sang a song on auto repeat while we were on our way home. Then he asked me if we could play it on our wedding day. We listened to the entire song. It was really funny and I am sure the chorus would best describe what happened to him. However, we just laughed because it wouldn't be that appropriate for a wedding.

About the song:::

Yes... this will very much pass as a theme song when we were starting the relationship. When everybody thought that this guy is nothing but a pretty face and will do nothing but cheat and make women cry, God gave a different kind of relationship that required a change of character.
And that is what happened to us.

You can CHOOSE not to let your past actions define who you are.

Your environment, your family history, your past relationships are not a basis of who you will be.

You CHOOSE what your character will be. It is not an easy process but it starts with a CHOICE.

And there's one thing I know... I never keep a blind eye on wrong doings. With this I can honestly tell that the man I will marry has come a very long way from who he was when I first met him. That is the reason why I will marry him. <3

Here is the song that would describe our journey before this marriage.

FYI: this is not cheesy!
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How to prepare a wedding in a short notice: The Requirements

For most couples I know, their engagement took 6 months to 1 year preparation. So why are we rushing it? I would simply answer it with a "what's it to you?".  The Mayans said that the world would end on 2012 so we might as well get wed this year right? (Kidding)

Really, I thought of having it next year. Yet, I guess for couples who are both working, 6 months to a year would really be ideal. But for us where I take charge of a business, I "know" we can make this work with the little time we have.

Our ID Photos :)
WHERE TO START???

Know the requirements.

We were just blessed because we are accustomed to the internet world which makes the requests of documents much faster compared to lining up in the government offices which could have taken us forever. Here are the basic requirements for a church wedding.


  • Baptismal Certificates
  • Confirmation Certificates
  • Marriage License
  • NSO Birth Certificates
  • Single Status Certificates (CENOMAR)
  • Canonical Interview
  • Ecclesiastical Banns
  • Permit
  • Pre-cana Seminar
  • List of Sponsors
Baptismal Certificate: You have to request this from the church or parish where you were baptized  Good thing we are both from Malabon so it only took a motor ride to travel to and fro to our parishes. Depending on the church or parish, it would just take a day to process this. *Check!*

Confirmation Certificates: Although we both graduated in a Catholic school in high school, we really wonder why our parents did not thought of having us confirmed when we were 11 or 12 years old. We went looking for a church where we could have this done. FYI, since a bishop is the only one allowed to perform this sacrament, we finally found a schedule in a church in Caloocan. Be reminded that some churches hold confirmation ONCE a month so you better be sure to attend it. (Quiapo church hold Confirmation rites every week just in case you are really in a hurry) We are still to attend our Confirmation on the last Saturday of this month. ***Pending***

Marriage License: Tada! How stupid of us to leave this last. You will get this from your Munisipyo. The requirements are NSO Birth certificate photocopy, Cenomar photocopy, but you will need to bring the original ones for checking. Then, you will be scheduled for a family planning seminar. Your names will be posted in the municipal hall for 10 days before you get your license. Since we thought it would just be a whim, we unfortunately have submitted our original birth certificates and cenomar to the church so... we would have to request again! delay... delay... delay... ***Pending***

Birth Certificates and Cenomar: Save your sweat. Do this online. It only takes 3 days and the documents will be delivered right at your doorstep. Birth certificate costs 300 + pesos while Cenomar is 400 + pesos. 

Canonical Interview: Will be scheduled by the church where you will hold your wedding at. 
For us, it will be next week, on a Wednesday. ***pending ***

Ecclesiastical Banns: Your chosen church will give the bride and groom a request form which will be given to the churches where the bride and groom were baptized. Their names will have to be announced after the mass for 3 consecutive Sundays. This would be the perfect time for those who would want to STOP the wedding to come forward and state why the wedding shouldn't happen. Of course, the reason should be lawfully acceptable. If no one disagrees...

the Permit will be issued. *** we should be getting this, this Sunday ***

Pre-Cana Seminar: You can choose which church you would want to have this. They have schedules. ***checked***

List of Sponsors: You need this for the marriage license and for the church. 

Other than the Marriage License, we are all good to go. 
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What happened after the Proposal?

It has been a month and two days since Abryan proposed. Right after the fleeting feeling that I will get married, the preparations have to happen. I was very comfortable with a civil wedding. That was what we originally planned. I was not really in the mood, and I don't think I am that type of woman, to tediously plan for a church wedding. Like my closest friends used to say, I was always one of the boys. But after the "pamamanhikan", my mother, who is based in Hongkong talked to Yan and they decided that a church wedding is always better.

So why is it better? I had to try to understand why I would agree with a church wedding since I already had my mind set on a civil one.

For our parents.

Not just for mine, or for any bride of that matter. I just realized how any parent would love to see their daughter or son receive God's blessing through the church. Since my family is still traditional, I know they would really be glad if the church bells ring.

For God

For those who know our love story, the beginning of our relationship wasn't ideal. We went through a lot of trials and we both believe that it's just right that we put God in the middle of our relationship as husband and wife. IDK, saying our vows in front of the altar will forever remind us that we did not only make a promise to each other but to God as well.

And all the other things we've learned in our pre-cana seminar made me realize that a church wedding is not just a "paper" signed legally, it is a commitment to God that we will forever love each other.

So how long do we have to prepare for this wedding?

2 months!

It's exciting.

I would really want to have it next year but this year has got to be THE year. Having a lot of time to myself, I have the opportunity to really be hands-on in the preparation.

This wedding website was made a few weeks after the proposal...

WEDDING WEBSITE
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The Music of the Night

I was terribly waiting for the day, September 13, when I was scheduled to watch one of my favorite and most dreamt Broadway plays to be staged in Manila, Phantom of the Opera. It was all over my social networking sites, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

When you have prepared and waited so much for this day, you wouldn't let anything ruin it. Yet that morning, I got hot headed just because Boi didn't reply to my texts for awhile. (hormones) He said he was going to his mom's place but what's so important that he could be doing that he did not reply to my texts? And then, the flare began. I called, no one picked up. I called again, he picked up. I asked him where he was because I was hearing a lot of noise. He said he just came from the bathroom which was why he wasn't able to pick up- totally not good at lying! And because my detective instincts are really at par, I got furious! I told him not to go home. I was even thinking of going to CCP by myself and watch Phantom of the Opera alone.

He then texted that he knows how important this day was for me so he do not want to ruin it. He went home. SILENT TREATMENT. Went to sleep. Woke up around 5pm. At that time, all I wanted was to be ready for the show so I put aside the morning issue.

We arrived at CCP at 6:40pm. We bought the program which cost us 500 pesos and a keychain for 400 pesos. (really! such an expensive keychain) And around 7:15pm, we lined up for the  theater entrance. The usherettes of CCP are very particular with time. They let people in exactly at 7:30pm. Good thing we got aisle seats. I was pleased that they were strict with the "no camera" policy. I would have complained if they were not because I did not bring mine though it hurted me a lot... hehehe. (All photos were taken using my fone)


Here we go!!! I thought to myself. While we were seated, I turned to my right where Boi was seated and saw a small black box- jewelry box that he held in front of me. He opened it and in it was a ring. (I know what was going to happen but I don't know how to react!) I just said "Totoo ba yan?" Then, he kneeled and my eyes just got bigger! I was telling him to get up because we were already attracting viewers. And of course, he said the "Will you Marry Me?" line. His body was shaking and I felt his armpit got hot afterwards. (hehehe) Of course I said "yes"!


I am not particular with jewelries. For all I care, I would be happy with any ring. It is that easy to put a smile on my face. He just made this night a NIGHT to REMEMBER.

When the show started and when they lit the chandelier and started playing the Overture, I was teary eyed. I couldn't believe I was watching Phantom of the Opera!


The entire production was superb! The transitions to every scene were perfectly done. Though the stage was small, it was well managed- not too crowded. And about the performance of the cast, they were very good. But if you have seen Sierra Boggess as Christine Daae in the 25th Anniversary performance, you would really wish she was the one on stage. (just because I am used to how she sings and acts out every line)


When it ended, it was a sigh of relief that at last I got two goals down- to find the man I will be with for the rest of my life and watching one of my long lists of musicals that I have been dreaming to see since I was a child.
phantom Phantom of the Opera the proposal
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Good Times!

There are times when you feel lost and that there is nothing good happening. But like what my mentors always say, sometimes there are things that you just have to outlast. And after that, things will start to get better again.

And it did!


And here are the things that I would celebrate for!

  • Boi is turning anew! 
* I forgot that he hasn't made this known to others yet so... Ang daldal ko talaga! Chaka na nga pag na announce niya na. :)
  • We will watch Phantom of the Opera this September 
After postponing buying the tickets for some time, Boi and I finally decided to purchase our tickets! I can't imagine my regret if I don't see this masterpiece.
ANTHONY Downing as Raoul
Photo Credit: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/
Claire Lyon as Christine
Photo taken from:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/

This is one of the grandest productions in Broadway. If you want a glimpse of how grand it is, check the pictures below.



So if you haven't bought your tickets yet, there are still a few good dates available. Make sure to check Ticketworld for the best seats!


  • Car Insurance for Total Loss in the process
After a series of follow ups, our car insurance is now processing what we will get for the misfortune we had on our car. Boodha was unfortunately flooded while parked in our garage during the HABAGAT days. The flood was so high we couldn't do anything to save it. HOPEFULLY (crossing my fingers), we can get a new car SOON.



  • An underwater digital camera
It's not really a need because we do not have plans of going to the beach yet but I would really like a handy camera so I do not have to bring the bulky Canon that we have. As for which camera, we are still deciding between Canon D20
or Lumix TS4

And there are other good things coming which I would like to share when they're official.
It really helps in one's motivation to write about the good things that they are experiencing. It makes one realize more the blessings that God is continuously giving.

So if you are experiencing a not so good time, just remember that it's not going to rain all the time. Expect for that sunshine and be excited!
habagat life phantom
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A Beautiful Wedding!

Applause! Congratulations to my bestpren RJ for marrying his dream girl Angel! After 11 years of relationship, I am just glad that though they were married in the US, they still decided to have another wedding here in the Philippines for their relatives, friends, and all their loved ones.


How do you make a marriage work forever?

The priest said there should be two important things: PATIENCE and KINDNESS.
There might be some things about your partner that you WILL never accept- but PATIENCE will solve this for you. And there would be times when you would want to pack your bags and leave, but if you remember your partner's KINDNESS, you will eventually unpack.

There are a lot of things in between which would really be hard to understand. Nevertheless, it takes a LOT of EFFORT to make a marriage work. Most say that it is worth it.


This wedding is the most elegant one I've seen so far. Too bad we had to leave a little early because of some "no Yaya issues" with Megan.
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Boats in the City

Ever since we got back from Tagaytay, the weather hasn't been really nice. Storm Gener's very strong winds and its hard rains made me stay in the house for 4 days now. I am just so glad that I do not have an office work anymore which could have forced me to dip into the thigh high flood and find out the next adventure that awaits me. This is one of those times when I am thankful for having a business.

When you live in Malabon, flood is not a weird event. It is something we expect when storms as strong as what we have now enters the Philippines. But I don't feel bad at all living here compared to what some people told me that I should probably get a new house somewhere else. Manila is no different to Malabon nowadays. It floods everywhere too. It is something that just takes a little of getting used to. And besides, admit it.... Malabon folks are happy people. Peoplehere help each other in these times and we truly care about our neighbors... Compare that to your condominium neighbors!

And part of adapting the appearances of lifeboats. It's funny because you'd probably see these on the beach or at the river but not on the street.
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