Church Option 1: Sanctuario de San Jose

It almost broke my heart when I learned that the Shrine of Jesus is booked for the 3:30 pm wedding slot of the 9th December. I asked if the 16th is available, and I got teh same reply. I felt so bad I was crying when I relayed this to fellow w@wies. I thought things would be easy since our date is about a year and a half away. But no. As early as now, SoJ is booked.

Then somebody suggested Sanctuario de San Jose. I tried, and thank goodness! The time and date is open! I told the person to pencil the slot for me, and that I will pay the downpayment this Thursday. At least Enrique and I have one option already! Actually, SSJ is where my mom and stepdad got married 15 years ago...

My next concern is the reception venue. These past few days, I have concentrated on the Makati-Manila area. Now, I would have to look for an alternative place. I hope traffic won't be too bad on that day, though it's December and there really might be traffic congestion.

But overall, I think this is an accomplishment. My other half approved anyway, but he said to reserve 2 more churches so we will have options. I am a little skeptical about this plan though, because that entails wasting money, which I really want to avoid.

Anyway, that's all for now. I hope I get a favorable reply from Cat, she's helping me with the Sanctuario de San Antonio arrangement.

Chinese Numerology

Somebody told me that one thing to consider in getting the "right" date is the Chinese numerology. One said that as long as the number, when written, ends in pointing upwards, it is good. If it ends downwards, it spells bad luck.

The number 9, when written, ends downwards. Though I am not really a superstitious person, but just to clarify things, I researched a bit on this.

And this is what I found in Travel China Guide:

"In China, six, eight and nine are considered lucky numbers, since their homophones have auspicious meanings. Six, pronounced 'Liu' in Chinese, implies that everything about you will go smoothly. Eight was originally deemed auspicious by the Cantonese, since in Cantonese, eight reads as 'Fa', which means to make a great fortune in the near future. Later, the auspiciousness of eight was taken up by all Chinese. The letter nine, pronounced as 'Jiu', implies everlasting, especially in friendship and marriage. Thus, numbers ending with these three digits are firm favourites, for example, when it comes to choosing phone numbers, car license tags and room numbers. Four and seven are unlucky numbers people will avoid since the former implies death and the latter means gone."

Of course, I felt happy that our target date is considered a lucky number. But hey, I think it has nothing to do with luck, but more on God's blessing and grace. Enrique told me that we shouldn't be superstitious, and that we aren't Chinese anyway.

Any which way, the thought that the number 9 implies "everlasting" really puts a smile on my face.

Enrique's Thoughts (First Blog Entry)

Yes! Finally, we now have a date to look forward to. It's not just an ordinary day huh! It’s a day when two people will be united: bells ringing, the flowers, the walk down the aisle (a long walk where all eyes and attention will be on her). It is a day when people who are close and dear to us will join, gather, witness and celebrate with us our big day. Yes, Our big day, when I will be standing by the altar, waiting for my lovely wife (looking radiant in that white dress). Whew! I wonder how it feels? Hopefully I will not get nervous and cry. Now, all I can think of is the ENRIQUE-VANESSA Wedding day...

Yup! It’s me, Enrique, the lucky, the blessed guy. I am here in India now and it is so hot but my heart is burning with desire, longing for the warmth and nearness of my Baby Vanessa.

I have sailed for quite a while, to almost all parts the world, but I have never ever seen a girl who really took my breath and my heart away. From the day I first saw her, never a moment did I forget her lovely angelic face. I waited and looked for her for a long time and it was as if destiny brought me to her, an answer to my prayers.

From day one, now, and until my last breath, I know I will love Vanessa with all my heart, with all mind, with all my strength, and with all my soul. I cannot afford to lose her, she is my Life, my everything. I never thought somebody will love me like my baby. Wow! I wish I could collect and connect all the perfect words, put them in the hands of my Vanessa and close her fingers around them.

Bye for now, I have to work and log my navigation observations. But one thing is for sure: not even the stars (lots of them now and it's nice to see) can match the love that I feel for my wife to be.


30 May 2005 Port of Mumbai, India

9th December 2006

Finally, I was able to talk to Enrique for a good 3 hours, and I was so happy hearing his voice again I almost cried. I really missed him so much...

Anyway, we were able to talk about some of the wedding preparations. The first that we talked about was the target date. We have decided that it's a little impossible to push through with April 2006 because he's arriving only this November and leaving January or Feb next year. Which leaves the best month... December! He prefers weekend, evening also. So, at least we have that month already. Later on we decided to have 9th or 16th as our date, but most likely, the big day will be on the 9th. :-)

Next is the Church. I mentioned about the SSA arrangement. I also told him about Kaye's suggestion, and also the particulars. He said that NSSH is a really nice Church also. I should reserve soon already...


Then the number of guests. He was laughing, because my list already contains 150 names, and that leaves him with 50 of his, a ratio of 1:3... hahahaha!

Some other potential suppliers: Hizon's for catering, Archie Paungan for photo/video, String Minstrels for music... and definitely a Vera Wang gown design...

That's all for now, but at least there are definite dates already.

I am really so happy with the way things are going between us... I almost cried of happiness last night, and so did he. How I wish he really is here to be with me at these times. Now I really look forward to the day he comes back here... November... *sigh*

Quest for the Perfect Gown

Thank goodness Enrique already has a signal in India! I could hardly wait to talk to him and tell him the latest updates I have got so far. Kaye, a fellow w@wie, suggested that I check out the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart as an alternative venue for our wedding rites, and I think they have a more flexible arrangement than Sanctuario de San Antonio. It’s too bad, because our primary venue is SSA, but due to their schedule, I'm afraid we have to look for a new one.


But in the meantime, while waiting for dear Enrique’s call, I am browsing through potential designs for my gown, and of course, Vera Wang designs are the top choices for me. Here are the two that I have chosen so far.



Vera Wang design 1


Vera Wang design 2


I also checked out InStyle Weddings a couple of months ago, while I was on the “dreaming” stage, and found this simple design nice too…


From Instyle Weddings

My First Flowers from Enrique

Now I just remembered the first time Enrique sent me flowers. I thought they were the most gorgeous flowers ever. Very simple, but truly lovely...



Lovely indeed!

Songs of Love

I wanted to take a break from listening to Yahoo Messenger music, so I decided to go to the website of String Minstrels (one of my potential music supplier) to listen to their demo. I was so happy to learn that they can play the instrumental version of "Ikaw" (our favorite song), and when I listened to it, my heart beat so fast and flashes of images of me walking down the aisle and Enrique waiting for me suddenly streamed through my mind.

After listening to the demos, I immediately put in my player all the songs I wanted to played during our wedding and listened to them... I was totally in dreamland!

Wow, I really can't wait. Can't we get married tomorrow? Hahaha, I guess not, for obvious reasons. But when we do, I am quite sure we will be the happiest couple in the world, and that we would be so in love people might actually see the word "LOVE" stamped on our foreheads. Hehehehe.

Chatting with the W@Wies

Today is the first time that I have been invited to chat with fellow w@wies, and it was a really wonderful experience indeed! They're so nice and easy to talk to, and I was able to learn so much in such so little time. I told them nga about our wedding budget and a lot considered nmy budget too high. So I guess I've been looking at high-end suppliers, so that means scouting and researching time again!

Sigh... I really don't want to think about these at the moment especially since Enrik dear is away, but I can't help but keep on looking at potential suppliers. IAnd thought that a one year preparation is exaggerated.

I'm really hoping that felllow w@wies will help me set up my budget right. I find my current budget a little too high, really. And besides, I have to consider budgeting for a place to stay.

Now I'm sure I really don't want to think about it. I wish Enrique's by my side to help. I miss him all the more...

Anyway, another day has ended. Meaning, the closer the day Enrique will be coming home...

Rethinking the Date

After much thought and consideration, I think I have to bring up the topic to Enrique that we should move our EVP day to December 2006 instead of April 2006. There's just too much pressure I think going on, and I think that to plan should be one of the most memorable experiences for us, not a horrible and taxing experience.

He called me last Saturday night, but only very quick as he just caught a small opportunity (very weak signal as he still in the high seas). Probably I will talk to him Friday this week.

However, I can still feel the sting of the planning bug, and I couldn't help but scout for suppliers and inquire about their services! I really wish Enrique's here with me.

A Soulful Relationship

My best galpal Cat sent me a really nice piece that almost made me cry while reading it. I would definitely send a copy to Enrique dear...


A Soulful Relationship
by Reverend Ronald McFadden

If you're not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are married, share it with your spouse or other married couples.. and reflect on it.

An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye." Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren't really important. Once you decide to commit to someone, over time their flaws, vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious. If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve, you've got to learn to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you.

You and your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs, values, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths. You are two unique individuals who have decided to share a life together. Neither of you are perfect, but are you perfect for each other? Do you bring out the best of each other? Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare, and control? What do you bring to the relationship? Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?You can't take someone to the altar to alter him or her. You can't make someone love you or make someone stay. If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and "a life", you won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain. Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship.

Seeking status, sex, wealth, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship. What keeps a relationship strong? Communication, intimacy, trust, a sense of humor, sharing household tasks, some getaway time without business or children and daily exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note). Leave a nice message on their voicemail or send a nice email. Sharing common goals and interests. Growth is important. Grow together, not away from each other, giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure. Allow your mate to have outside interest. You can't always be together. Give each other a sense of belonging and assurances of commitment. Don't try to control one another. Learn each other's family situation. Respect his or her parents regardless.Don't put pressure on each other for material goods.

Remember for richer or for poorer. If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and pain replace the passion. "Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think." The grass withers, the flowers fades, but the word of God stands forever. -- Isaiah 40:8

Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight. Always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary.

The difference between 'United' and 'Untied' is where you put the i.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!

The Countdown Begins!

I should have made this wedblog some two months ago, but it's ok... I'm getting married!

I actually prefer that this blog be created with Enrique present, but that is a little too impossible as he is now somewhere in the high seas going to India. I hope my dear h2b is doing great...

Anyway, what have we done so far in making our dream of being united come true? Well, more on scouting for the right place to stay, checking out suppliers for the W-day itself, as well as budgeting our funds. Very stressful indeed.

Our target date is anywhere within 2006, but I'm feeling the pressure already. Twice that is, because Enrique is not here to help! Thank goodness for the internet though, I think finding information alleviates the pressure (though sometimes getting the rates even adds to the pressure!).

All for now, but yes... the countdown begins!