Our Gifts, our thanks...

We are so thankful for the many friends and loved ones who shared in our happy day together. Seven years down the line, we are still very happy together and I create this blog in honor of our anniversary this year. Indeed many present in that event have even passed on to the next life and we are happy to have been able to share that precious moment and memory with those who have gone ahead.

Below are some of the cards we've received affixed to the many, many gifts that have been given to us. Once again, our sincerest thanks and gratitude.

I actually brought many of these gifts with me to the UAE and a lot are still "alive" and being used, up to this day!

Bouquet and garter

I turned around to throw my huge sunflower bouquet and who caught it? Well the floor at first but my maid of honor, Grace Suede picked it up. I guess I didn't gauge how heavy the bouquet was and how far away the single ladies were standing...Oh well better luck next time.



Oliver threw the garter at his cousin, Toto (Rolando Eliserio, Jr.) but seeing as Grace caught the bouquet, Toto gave the garter to my brother Alvin (Alfred Vincent Villaruel) as he and Grace are 'the pair'.

Cut the cake, free the birds, drink the wine!

Eating cake and exchanging cake is an old tradition that signifies fertility and a marraige blessed by many children. Well our cake was decorated with yellow and white flowers and ribbons and was mostly white outside, but was chocolate-y inside...We had fun doing the poses for the video and pictures, by this time, the stress of the "I do's" have gone and replaced by silly candid poses:

Yes, let's have our cake photo now...

...aaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnddd CUT! That's a wrap! (sorry, it's a 3 tiered cake)


This is how it sounds like, when the doves fly....

Hang on a minute, have we kissed? Oh yes, we have!

Guests

The guest list, is below and pictures further down this page...enjoy!




Pictures of the PVH ballroom, as Obey and I rounded the tables and chatted with our family and friends:

The Alvarez table, my sister-in-law and her sister, my nephews and neices

Obey and I seated our high school barkadas together...so the Babebies meets the Bugoys...hahahaha

Nanay Conching held court with some of her grandchildren and Mrs. Ines Juni, the lady who made my wedding dress.

The Menu

The Philippine Village Hotel had several very nice choices for the spread but we chose one where we both agreed would be the best option for our guests...note here that many family members have quite bizarre as well as particular tastes for food, and we had to be sure everyone has something to munch on...we even ordered a separate dish for the groom's youngest brother who, at that time, was into his fried chicken phase - meaning he only ate fried chicken, period. Overall feedback was that food was good and that there was more. We did invite and expect about 100 - 120 guests but due to the distance, weather and other reasons (last minute invitees), they were unable to come.

The Menu...yum!

The Buffet...bon appettit!

Kainan na!

The wedding started a little after 9:00 am and it took about an hour and a half for everything. So when we finally got back to the Philippine Village Hotel for the luncheon-reception, it was just the right time to begin lunch!

We didn't prepare any program but the PVH kindly donated the services of their pianist. Impromptu host was Byron Cosio who was then the boyfriend of my sister-in-law K Eliserio. Bro. Johnny Casiendo officiated the prayer before the event. Both maid of honor and best man gave improptu speeches which came out more natural and heart-felt...in fact with some very funny moments! One of our secondary sponsors and cousin of the groom, Kristine D. Zembrano sang our favorite wedding song. We decided not to dance because we're embarrassed that people, especially our ninongs and ninangs would pin money on us; something we both felt isn't right and quite opportunistic of wedding ceremonies, if I may add...so we've foregone these traditions and just stuck to good food, chats everywhere and making sure everyone is happy.

Parents had an elevated special place like the couple and the primary sponsors and were served by the waiters. Father of the groom complained he wasn't able to eat what he wanted as he was given a little of everything but he would have wanted to eat only those choices he liked! Oh well, for next time...

Spouses of our primary sponsors also joined them in their special table.

Weddings are family events

Much as we wanted to share our wedding day with all of our friends, this event was indeed dominated by family who can be called to attend at the last minute. Friends are harder to track down :-( so apologies to the many friends we've missed to invite. Here's the newlywed (at that time) pose with the bride's family:


...And once again, this time with the groom's family:


Once more for posterity, Obey and Anne:

Rings to bind us...

With this ring, I thee wed...

Our wedding rings were purchased in the Gold Souk in Abu Dhabi from one of the many shops we frequent just to ogle at 'all them gold!' The design is like twine but also looked like rice so it is for luck as well as binding. We both liked the solid and simple look so we went ahead and purchased it. Meanwhile we have our old rings which we've had carved with our names. My nephew Jed Christian is to carry our old rings and our bestman, J Eliserio, my husband’s brother will keep the new rings safe. Father Efren was a little confused as we had so many rings....he had to ask which one it is that we were going to be using, and yet, he blessed both pairs. The rings with the twine/rice design is below:

Picture...picture

Sometimes we Filipinos call this the "kodakan" time. Many would even mispronounce picture and say "pektyure" or "peeture" like it had anything to do with urine and where it is excreted from! But here are some shots that I'd like to share to the world of the Internet.

Our pretty ninangs (female primary sponsors)

our handsome ninongs (male primary sponsors)

With our parents

This time with our ninongs and ninangs by the altar

I do...

The ceremony was quite solemn and Obey did appear a bit nervous. I was "paos" meaning my voice was an almost non-existent hoarse raspy whisper - perhaps more due to lack of sleep and the excitement that built up till the day itself. We had been busy with the preparations and I was hands-on till the day.

Oh we had this marriage counselling seminar a few days after we arrived and there were only two couples who took the seminar with Fr. Efren. We were encouraged to smoke when we saw the priest light up and since there were only two pairs, we held the seminar outdoors, in the church's garden which was quite breezy and pleasant.

We followed tradition but had we been able to come up with our very own wedding vows, I'd probably would have said this piece. This is the very poem that is engraved in my mom and dad's wedding invite all those many years ago:

Husband and Wife
by Arthur Guiterman

Whatever I said and whatever you said, I love you
The word and the moment forever have fled, I love you
The breezes may ruffle the stream in its flow,
But tranquil and clear are the waters below,
And under all tumult you feel and you know, I love you.

Whatever you did and whatever I did, I love you
Whatever is open, whatever is hid, I love you
The strength of the oak makes the tempest a mock,
The anchor holds firm in the hurricane's shock,
Our love is the anchor, the oak and the rock, I love you.

Whatever I thought and whatever you thought, I love you
The mood and the passion that made it are naught, I love you
For words, thoughts and deeds, though they rankle and smart,
May never delude us or hold us apart,
Who treasure this talisman deep in the heart,
I love you.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Eliserio (tadan!):

Here comes the bride...

Finally after all that marching, it's our turn. My parents and I walked rather quickly as there was no music to slow down our steps.



I would have wanted Jose Mari Chan's "Sing Me That Song Again, Daddy" sung by Cheri Gil to be sang whilst me and my parents marched. But it wasn't to be so. Oh well, maybe in my next wedding. Sadly though my daddy is not longer physically with me.

When we got to the altar, Oliver had to do a "mano po" to both my parents and then led me up to the altar where a special seat for the couple was assigned in front of the officiating priest.



For the bride, this is her final chance to say goodbye to her single life as she faces marriage with her husband to be. Kissing my parents again and thanking them at this stage was naturally done...



Oliver's "pagmamano" (a sign of respect) was done in a funny way and we were all giggling at the seriousness of the situation. It's mere gravity driving us to hilarity...

Still more marching...

Now let's move on to the Secondary Sponsors and the rest of the wedding entourage.

Mr. Rolando Drilon Eliserio, Jr. and Mrs. Pia Bernardo Derla

To light our way, Toto who is Oliver's cousin and Pia, Oliver's best friend and neighbor join together as our candle sponsors.

Mr. Alfred Vincent Linco Villaruel and Dra. Melissa Bernardo

To clothe us as one, Alvin who is my dearest brother is joined by Dra. Meling, Oliver's childhood friend and neighbor. They were our veil sponsors.

Hugh and Kres

To bind us together, Hugh, my husband's brother and Tatin who is their cousin pair up to be our cord sponsors.

This was followed by our attendants:

Master Jed Christian Alvarez Casas

Jed gallantly carried our wedding rings and on cue successfuly brought it forward to Rev. Father Efren. He was only about 3 or 4 years old at this time.

Master Francis James Alvarez Casas

Jim-jim is the eldest of my nephews and was our coin bearer. He and Jed are sons of my eldest brother Noel Thomas Linco Casas who is married to Suzanne Marie Alvarez.

Miss Julienne Marisse Alvarez Casas

Julienne was our only flower girl. She is also my elder brother, Noel's child.

Our bridesmaid and groomsaide are also siblings from both sides.

Mr. Reynaldo Linco Tan and Miss K Zembrano Eliserio

Rey and Kei are my youngest brother and Oliver's only sister respectively.

Miss Grace Suede

Gams helped me a lot during my wedding preparations and though I had several close friends that I wanted to be MOH, in the end I decided to have her as she was really hands on in all her efforts to help me.

I also would have wanted Mrs. Estella Nessia Betia to be one of my primary sponsors and perhaps her daughter and my good friend Pearly May Nessia Betia to be one of my secondary sponsors. However we were unable to contact them and having only a window of one month to pull off this wedding, we had to go with those that we can contact ASAP. As you can see from our entourage, everyone was either related by blood or connected by long ties of friendships and are quite accessible to both parties.

The March

OK everyone finally arrived at the church including us so the ceremony is just about to begin. We were just waiting for the singer who apparently lives in Batangas and have seemed to be running a little bit late. Since the weather was a getting sunnier, we didn't want our guests to wait any longer so we decided to march without any songs!

First up, Oliver with his parents bravely marched up to the altar in rather grave looking faces (see the picture!). Umberto Morales Eliserio married Rosalinda Zonio Zembrano and have four children. Oliver Zembrano Eliserio is their eldest son.

Nonoy, Obey and Baby nervously began the wedding ceremonies by taking the first steps in this wedding march. Now doesn't the groom look a little bit like John Lloyd Cruz? how about Jericho Rosales? Well, it must truly be love then....hehehehe

This was followed by the bestman, my husband's very thoughtful brother and the second in Nonoy and Baby's brood of four: J Zembrano Eliserio.

Dedey joined Obey in the UAE in 1999. He works for a semi-government chain of hotels in the UAE. Who will ever forget his bestman's speech?! It was classic "Niknok"!

Then our primary sponsors marched to the beat of their good hearts. Here they are:

Mr. Ric Laudico and Mrs. Josephina Villaruel Laudico

Tita Ping is dad's younger sister who is married to Tito Ric and are both blessed with three children, all boys: Alfie, Ricky and Ronnie. They have graciously become, on this day, our Ninong Ric and Ninang Ping.

Mr. Rolando Morales Eliserio, Sr. and Mrs. Helen Dormitorio Zembrano

Uncle Pandong is the elder brother of Nonoy. He was the first one to invite me to his home when Oliver and I were dating. Tita Bing is married to Wilfredo Zonio Zembrano, Baby's eldest brother. It was Tita Bing who sew the dresses for my secondary sponsors, mother of the groom, and maid of honor.

Mr. Antonio Pena-Montilla Villaruel and Mrs. Rose Villaruel

Tito Tony is dad's younger and only brother. Tita Rose is Tito Tony's wife. They have four sons together. I have memories of Christmases spent together with their families and both have been equally gracious to me since I was a child.

Mr. Ernesto Zonio Zembrano and Mrs. Lucia Linco Casiendo

Tito Boy is Baby's elder brother and Mommy Lucy is mom's elder sister who had been one of my "mothers" in early childhood. She came all the way from Bacolod to see me get hitched!

My maternal grandmother, Mrs. Concepcion Belleza Jardeleza viuda de Linco also marched with my primary sponsors, she is escorted by my cousin and Mommy Lucy's second child, Johnny Linco Casiendo.

Brother Johnny at this time was studying to become a priest. Nanay Conching played a major role in my upbringing, mostly being like a second mother to me in my younger years and again reprising the same role when I was left in Cebu for my final year in elementary school as everyone moved to Manila.