A Different Sort of Wedding

And so, the most awaited moment is here. Kitten marries Don in the most touching, the most simple, and the most relaxed of ways. Haven't we all been to those glitzy, ostentatious weddings that has been de-riguer in Manila society? But what do we take out of it when we exit the reception? The spectacular decor? The unparalleled food? The profusion of exotic flowers? The fabulous wedding dress?

Kitten and Don wanted theirs to be low-key and unpretentious from the very beginning. Their vision was an intimate and relaxed affair, with only their nearest and dearest as witnesses, and where everyone can attend in their casual best.

And so it was.

The men in the entourage all wore kurta-inspired, cream, collarless tops over khaki chinos and leather thongs. The women wore dresses in tropical colors and flat sandals. The bride initially, was to wear an unstructured, flowy dress but being the fashion designer that she is, she changed her mind and created something "fab" as she calls it. The result was a hundred yards worth of a dream dress, which truly came out stunning. You see, Kitten is the fashionista in the family. Her beauty and stature is couture-worthy. Hence, the dress. None of us could have pulled it off. She was breathtaking! Of course, during the reception she changed into a see-through, flowy, Greek goddess gown, which showed off a beaded bikini underneath. Spectacular!

But what was most special about the wedding is something that happened in church. In every wedding I attend I have this habit of staring at the groom closely to watch his reaction, never the bride. I don't know why; it just fascinates me--watching their expressions. Anyway, I was glued to Don as Kitten walked in, looking as though she were borne atop a dream cloud, floating down the aisle.

Don was zeroed in on her, but in the next breath, he unabashedly broke down in tears--copious tears--of joy, of disbelief, of overflowing affection, oblivious to the rest of the congregation, unmindful of what his reaction could imply. He was later to say that he was overwhelmed with happiness and overcome by her beauty. Everyone in that church was hit--not touched--with powerful emotions. I, the unemotional, jaded, me, couldn't hold it together. I teared and sniffled and looked to my cousin, Adrian for solace, but he too, was in tears.

When Kitten reached the nave of the church, her dad kissed her before leading her to Don, who didn't simply take her arm but enveloped her in a tight hug. Okay, I can only feign composure so much. This time I sort of bawled, but I kept swallowing to muffle the noise and I made sure my shoulders didn't shake--that was a lot of effort, mind you!

It was hot inside the church, like a Swedish steam bath. But none of that mattered because what we were all witnessing was monumental--a coming together of two tightly-bonded souls. Did you feel that way in your wedding?

Sibling Love

Early morning cuddle

Pippi looking to Bidi and holding on for emotional support at take off. She said, "The loud noise makes my heart go thump, thump."






Nothing warms the heart more than moments of harmony between siblings, who normally spend their times together constantly at war with each other. There is endless bickering and tattle telling of the he said-she said/ he did-she did sort, which is all a form of power play, of individuation, of each child coming into his own and realizing the self. But c'mon, it does get annoying for the parent.

So when I see them looking to each other for affection and comfort, my heart melts. It gives me gasoline to go on mediating their tiny but endless quibbles.

Married Away

I love his shirt: reverse snobbery
Tito Ernie with his tres marias: Steph (the braniac who placed 9th on the board exam), Val (the uber achiever), and Kitten (the gorgeous bride)







Kitten's family welcomes Don with open hearts

Weddings are celebrations and that is what we are doing here--celebrating each other. The night before the wedding we trooped to Fairways and Blue Water for a "shorts and chinelas" cocktails and and simply hung out, enjoyed the music, drank margaritas and screw drivers and exchanged stories of our common heritage and our collective unconscious--the legacy of our grandparents.

This is the gift of family: the strong ties that are impervious to outside forces, the type that withstands distance, time, and intrigue. We all share the same blood, the same name, whether we like it or not. We consider ourselves lucky because in this case, we do like it. Many of these cousins I haven't interacted with in ages. But tonight it is as though not a moment had passed.

A Boracay Album

fire dancers on the beach










I am currently in Boracay, a place that I never really looked upon with fondness. The noise, the shoulder to shoulder crowds, the competing blare of different genre of music as you pass different establishments, the sky high prices which defy provincial rates of the same goods and services offered in other parts of the country--all this have turned me off. I much prefer the quiet and the isolation of remote beaches where the only sound I hear comes from nature: my breathing, the ocean waves, birds, and okay, maybe some mood-establishing music.

And so here I am with a big change of heart, first, because of the company and the occasion: I am here for a dear cousin's wedding and so I am surrounded by family. Next, the hotel: Two Seasons resort is like an Ian Schrager boutique hotel. It is spectacular, probably the best on the island--tied with Discovery Shores. And the service is fantastic. They have a gem of a front office manager here. Her name is Rica and she makes the impossible happen--I'm talking 6th sense service, like those they espouse in the Four Seasons and Aman resorts. She is a gem--so efficient, charming, and has such a warm, easy way about her.

Yesterday, I forgot my laptop at one of the cabanas and remembered it only after an hour. I checked the cabana but it wasn't there anymore. I rushed to the front office and guess what, Rica was there smiling at me. She said, the moment she saw me, "Laptop?" She saved my sanity. I want someone like her to "arrange" my life.

Will post a Boracay album of photos next time. Internet speed here is on triple slow-mo mode

Same Time Next Year

Around Christmas time, every year, this group of friends (some 8 to 10 couples at any given time depending on travels, foreign postings, etc.) come together just because...

This friendship has spanned decades. In fact, I am the Johnny come lately. It is mind boggling how, through individual evolutions, couplings and uncouplings, the crash of '97 and now the world-wide financial depression, the tsunami in Thailand, Milenyo in Manila, two Edsa revolutions, several coup attempts, and middle age creeping in, this group manages to get together every year no matter what. Except for last Christmas, which was the first that I am aware of in 15 years.

It is sheer pain to organize an evening when everyone can make it. Believe me, it is nuclear physics. Just to find a date when everyone can converge at a specific time and place is an exercise in patience and perseverance. Still and all, the effort is justified by the warmth and goodwill that instantly takes over when we all come together (not to mention the chismis). Can't buy friendship.