skysenshi.com

On May 28, 2010, my beloved cousin Aggie, a.k.a. Icesenshi, married the man of her dreams, Arthur Fronda.

It was also one of the most stressful events I’ve ever experienced.

Heh.

You know how it is with Filipino weddings. Drama can never be too far behind, especially when it comes to family matters.  We’re all embroiled in it.  I also never realized how nerve-shattering wedding preparations can be if a couple has a non-conventional arrangement. It was held in the morning and on a weekday.

Aaaaaand we had to dance to Jai Ho with only half a day’s practice to our name.

Everyone had issues about one thing or another, etc. etc. etc. etc. I thought I would be spared from it because I had filed for a three-day leave so that I could primp, relax and think happy thoughts. Well, Murphy’s Law being what it is, I was told that I had to spend two days with CHED to discuss some nationwide curriculum matters. Starting on the day of Aggie’s wedding! That was when my own issues kicked in.  My mind went, “Blah blah blah blah blah — insert emo sentiments here about being overworked and unappreciated — blah blah blah blah blah.”

Then I just made a decision: ENOUGH ABOUT ME.

Smart and pretty Icesenshi has finally found her Zoicite. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime event.  It was going to be her day. She was going to be the prettiest girl in the room. She wasn’t going to be a princess. She was going to be a queen. (Stand aside, Princess Serenity!)

I ditched the curriculum review. Heh.

Of course, I still grumbled about waking up too early in the morning and having bad hair day but all that disappeared the moment I saw Aggie walk down the aisle.  I couldn’t believe the look of love that radiated from her gorgeous eyes.  That was the first time I ever saw any of my Amazon-like cousins exude such love and devotion. (I was late for Mia’s wedding — *glares at brother* — so I didn’t know if she sparkled like Edward Cullen, too.)

When Aggie gave her tribute to her parents, Tita Judith and Tito Rino…I got teary eyed.  That was the first time that a wedding has ever brought me to tears.  I’m usually just after the cake. I’m unsentimental that way.  That particular tribute, however…

It just moved me.

Which was surprising, since it can be a bit exasperating to have maligalig relatives surround you on such an important occasion.  Saying we’re a boisterous family is an understatement. I’m surprised we hadn’t terrorized Art’s side of the function hall. Pictured here with Aggie’s college friend, Philippine Queen of Bossa Nova, Sitti Navarro.

Heck, my aunties got me so confused — they were talking and giving instructions all at once — I actually ended up reading Pastor Romy’s part while emceeing.  I was also quite shocked to find that one of our best APC Multimedia Arts students, Gilbert Buen, was the videographer. I nearly skipped the Jai Ho performance out of pure, unadulterated horror.

All in good fun, though. I mean, how many other chances do I get at playing a pastor without the benefit of ministry work? And the opportunity to dance Jai Ho with my kulit cousins? Thank goodness, JR was a self-deprecating reception host. His funny ad libs proved just how resilient we Venturanzas are at turning a potentially embarrassing situation into a comedic one.

Hm. Because I’m a cake addict, who buys wedding magazines just to drool at elaborately adorned wedding cakes, I’m going to indulge myself:

To Aggie and Art: Stay strong in your partnership always. Make more beautiful memories. Never forget to have fun. Congratulations!

Credits:
Prenuptial photos by Richard Mojica and Jowell Mariano of Imagine Nation Photography
Family photos by Jenny Trinidad Fernandez
Cake photos by Dianne Apolonio
Art and Aggie Wedsite: http://www.artandaggie.com