Many months ago, we were invited to join a relative's silver wedding anniversary. Hubby had been requested as a sponsor to grace the event, and he obliged. It was casually formal with the entourage donning on coats and tie/or bow. So it is with much concern that hubby had to look for his attire—and you know him, the cool GQ guy.
So last Saturday was THE day and we took our time dressing up since we were just a block or two away from the venue. It's been awhile since I've heard mass, much less attended a wedding in a catholic church. And I was amazed at what technology has done. Where once we required live choirs for songs, the priest this time had an i-pad. With just a touch, he could command the songs and for awhile I thought he was having his concert since he was multi tasking, singing while doing his rites at the altar.
Then I also noticed by the side of the pews those candles flickering so evenly and systematically, until I found out that they were electronically lighted. Which meant that you didn't need fire, you just pressed a button after you paid your dollar. In my time (and that was sooooo many years ago in Cebu), my cousins and I would pay our 25 centavos (good for one candle) but we'd start lighting as many candles until the priest would catch us and shoo us away....anyway... and the thought occurred to me to be pressing all the buttons.....
The wedding was held at a side room of the San Sebastian Church in queens, where most special services were officiated. As we entered the place, we were greeted with melodious chatter of the Illongos as everyone was getting ready for the service. (the couple hails from Bacolod). The bride was radiant and gorgeous in her gown while the groom was equally as handsome in his black suit. And the entourage was as elegant and as charming. Jessica and friends really did a great job organizing the special day! It had all the trimmings of a traditional wedding ceremony.
During the service, the priest presented a surprise message from the couple's children. The bride as well as many guests had tears rolling down their cheeks as the experience of not having loved ones on such a memorable occasion was disheartening.
However, the message by the priest was uplifting, appropriate and hilarious. Believe me, don't trust a priest who dons a white kinda batman's costume, because you'll never know what he's hiding inside his gown and cape. The filipino priest talked about many a filipino's plight of being away from their families in search of the american dream. With each explanation, he had props, starting with a scale and some weights, then a bolo, a chopping board and finally the biggest faux diamond I've ever seen. All that was inside his robe. And the priest always had a smile on his face. That I like.
The reception was at the Sheraton Hotel in Flushing Queens. The guests were greeted by a choreographed welcome of the entourage. There was seating arangments where the Colmenares clan was assigned to one table with conversations of tracing their roots. It was indeed a Filipino affair starting with two roasted pigs (lechons) as part of the buffet, there was dancing to everyone's content, merry making and of course, a lot of picture taking to send back home to the Philippines.
Then another video presentation of the couple's life was compiled by their children. During the whole time, Jessica had not a dry eye while Bernard sat amazed and grateful for his blessings. The whole night was just amazing. And my message to the couple:
To Jessica: Girl, we have something in common, we are married to Colmenares men and after 25 years we know what they're made of....well, sort of...It has never been a smooth ride, sometimes bumpy, sometimes adventurous and even on occassions we are just cruising, right? Well at least for me it was. But I can assure you whatever journey we will have with our 'COLMENARES' man, it's worth the ride, JUST AS LONG AS WE'RE DRIVING.......heheheheh!!!!
and to Bernard: 'TEH, I will wait for my invitation for that golden wedding anniversary you promised sa church, gani... the one you said nga it will either be “in the beach or in the mountain....but definitely it will be in the Philippines.”
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