I was looking forward to this momentous day which is the 50th wedding anniversary of Tatay & Nanay, Val & Beth. Recently got a text joke that goes 'What's the most impressive example of Tolerance? - Golden Wedding Anniversary.' Kidding aside, watching a young couple in love is joy, but watching an aging couple in love is bliss. When a couple has cherished their marriage for 50 years, it certainly calls for a celebration. So preparations were made as early a year ago with my four sisters (Cynthia, Issa, Cathy & Aning) taking charge. The boys helped out too in their own special ways.
My son Jan (6) and I took the bus trip to Bicol on Friday night. Unfortunately my wife Vivian & daughter Janinna (14) couldn't make it. We arrived early morning the following day and took a tricycle to my folk's place about 15min away from the town proper of Tabaco, Albay. The wind was so chilly as the tricycle sped on its way. Jan had to duck his face under my jacket to ward off the cold. He said to me later on that we don't take the tricycle again. It was a pleasant surprise when we got off the tricycle to see the compound all spruced up for the big event later in the day. I could already hear the familiar voices of relatives who I learned later came all the way from Dumaguete and Manila. The family of Auntie Baby & Tito Iking Catacutan flew in Friday morning. With them was daughter Lorilie with cute son Ari. Lablab the daughter of Glen and wife of Jasper was also with them. Great to see them after quite some time. The last time they were here was the time of Lola Lisa's interment about 3 years back. The family of Tito Hoel & Tital Cecille from Pasig was in full force together with Tito Lionel & Tito Butch took the bus and arrived Friday night. With them was Roselle with her husband Pei and 2 kids, King the son of Ritchelle (now in UAE), Ronron and Rilette. Woooh, they were just little kids when I was staying in Lola Lisa's house in Boni, Mandaluyong during my UP college days in the 80's. The Catacutans stayed in the main house while the Celda's were in the 2nd floor of Cris' house. Jan & I stayed in Aning's house.
The coffee tasted so good while we milled around and updated on each other at the back of Cris' house amidst the chirping of the birds Cris is breeding. Around mid morning the caterer arrived and already started setting up their things and decorating the whole front yard and make-shift stage. The LCD projector Issa borrowed seemed not to be working and we hurried to the town center to borrow another unit. I thought of the minor seminary and talked to Fr. Nick the rector who was very accomodating to lend us their LCD projector. Marlon the husband of Cathy quickly worked on it and was able to set it up in no time. We had a hearty lunch of adobo and pili (with husk softened in hot water - 'nilanta' in bikol) which our uncles were craving for. It is also our initiation for newly arrived guests to take a taste test of this peculiar delicacy. Initial reactions would be that it tasted like 'wood'. But if you get used to it you would be coming back for more. After a short siesta we all get ready for the 3pm wedding at the parish church. Jan and I had a quick cold shower. No hot water so we were jumping like fish out of water. Whew, that certainly awakened all my nerves in there. We didn't bring anymore our barongs as these were all taken cared of by Aning. Sit back, relax, be cool and enjoy the wonderful day. I was totally impressed with the coolness and the preps our sis did. The grand daughters were all splendid in their gowns while the grandsons stunning in their barongs. We had a great time picture taking inside and outside of the main house.
The weather was wonderful. They said it had been raining for the past days but today the sun was up and brightfully cooperating. The church is just a stone's throw from our place but there was a big cart they had decorated with flowers and pulled by a carabao that would take the bride to the church. Oh I loved this part. Some of the apo's rode with Nanay on the cart to the church which was beautifully decorated. Simple yet elegant. Most of the guests and sponsors were there already and of course the whole barangay came to witness the event. First of its kind in our place. The groom exitedly waited at the altar while the bride marched with all the apo's as minor sponsors. One of the sponsors and a close family friend Tio Lex Quijano jokingly said to Tatay if he was really sure going thru this the 2nd time around. He still has a few minutes to think it over. Hahaha. The wedding was solemnly celebrated by Fr. Kims and the homily was an inspiration to carry you on to your own 50th wedding anniversary. I was a veil sponsor with my sister Cynthia. The children's choir sang great hymns throughout the ceremony. Nicole the eldest daughter of Pebs my brother (not able to attend because he's in Dubai at the moment) rendered a wonderfull tagalog song 'Sayo Lamang' with her cousins all around her. This was the first time I heard her sing in front of people and she exuded that confidence and stage presence. I overheard people and friends commenting on how wonderfully she had sang the piece.
The couple then rode together on the carabao cart and Jan was so exited to ride back to the compound. It was like a float in the Manila filmfest. The compound was all ready for the reception. After the traditional flower shower, eating of cake & wine drinking of the couple - dinner was ready. There were 2 buffet tables and most of the tables for 10 easily filled up. The caterer did a great job and everybody had their fill while a band was singing old love songs. The kids also had a dance number after which there was a slideshow presentation. The message of Manong Marion and family who are now residing in Canada was also shown. They were not able to make it but they are truly one with us in the celebrations.
After most of the guests were gone the videoke was set up using the LCD projector on the wall and the wow magic sing Tito Hoel brought along. The singing lasted way past midnight. It was only abruptly stopped by a brownout at around 1:30pm. But the stories, dramas and drinking went on by candle light. Me and Jan hit the sack around midnight. I awoke in total darkness and I thought I got so drank I lost consciousness.
I was up early and there was already the usual crowd at the back of Cris house. Kids were getting ready for the beach. We had coffee while reminiscing the past day's event. Cris said Tito Lionel urinated in the room next to the toilet during the brownout. It was the room where the Catacutan's where staying. Tita Baby was up early washing up the sheets. Tito Lionel had no idea. He even said that he went straight to bed and didn't mind the singing which was getting all the more off tuned as the night went on. 'Basta ako pag lasing diretso na tulog', he proudly declared. Cris and the rest of the group had a hearty laugh.
There was already a jeepney waiting after we had a quick breakfast. They would all dropped by the cementery first to visit Lola Lisa before going to Bacacay beach. I rode with Cris on his bike since I had to get our reservation for the trip back to Manila later in the day. Most of the beach resorts in Bacacay mostly owned by the Morales family wre destroyed and wiped out by the super typhoon Reming that hit Bicol in October 2006. There was one though that have opened and have huts we could take shelter and have our stuff and food. All had a great time in the beach with the water so calm and shallow that all the kids enjoy. Games were held versus families with kids and parents participating. After lunch we all packed up and went home for we all have to catch up our trips back to Manila. We got home early morning and brought Jan to school while I went straight to a client's meeting in Ortigas. I was able to close the deal for a new project. What great way to start the year! Cheers!!!
Pictures posted and videos posted at the following link: http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b397/juls9265/Golden%20Wedding%20Anniversary/pre-wedding/
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