A successful business... An exciting love life... A comfortable lifestyle... Things can't get any better for me in the summer of 2002 when Jon & I first met. That explains why no sparks flew between us the moment we laid our eyes on each other. At that time, I was hopelessly trying to snap myself out of my 'American' hangover as my best friend Nollie and I just got back fr. New York & L.A. where we visited my then boyfriend. Jon,on the other hand,frequents my office those days as he was being considered by my Mom to handle the construction of our Grade Sch. Bldg. Just like me, He wasn't too excited with our meeting either...& who wouldn't be? Things were MARVELOUS on his end as well: -a self-made Civil Engineer -a thriving Construction Company -a full social calendar -& a 4 year old relationship w/ a girl whom everyone in their circle expects to be his wife. Obviously, our story is not your ordinary 'boy-meets-girl' mushy kind'a thing. We were happy living our wonderful lives separately that the idea of developing a new 'friendship' was farthest from our minds... But our GOD has a way of revealing HIS grand plans for HIS children. It may seem ODD at first, but if you always commune with HIM in prayer, you will soon be awed by the dramatic unfolding of events... JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE LIVING THE GOOD LIFE, THE LORD GOD GAVE US THE BEST LIFE... OK,OK...I admit it wasn't as smooth sailing as that. T'was only after mos. of 'tarayan','dedmahan' &'sungitan'that we realized we were gradually becoming good friends...not the 'romantic' type just yet, but really really just good friends. It was primarily because we JIVE... -We both accepted the JESUS as our personal LORD Saviour(Until now, this is the main bond that attaches us to the hip!) -We both live with our parents despite our financial independence because we both can't bare the thought of leaving them..(not to mention free accomodations!) -We dig the same type of music ( 80's stuff) thus our term of endearment to this very day- PUNK! -We both luv 'long drives'/ 'out of town trips' (we are probably the most travelled couple in the planet!) -We both admire each others' line of work (I remember that at one time, we spoke for nearly 2 hrs on the phone just discussing how 'trusses & columns' are made!) He also often tells me how amazed he was with me for having that kind of magnet to li'l kids. Then one day, we just fell in love. But we tried to deny it for the longest time as we were both "involved" in long distance relationships at that time... And just like your favorite telenovelas, this is where the 'waterworks' came in (by the buckets!). Our relationship was put to the test & I called it quits a lot of times... There were really bad days when I thought there was no use for me to fight for the relationship. People who can't stand the fact that we were starting to play beautiful music together, left no stones unturned to keep us apart. During these trying times, We both spent time praying for God's will... Jon never let go of me. He was man enough to sort things out, made a decision, and proceeded to follow God's leading. The rest, as they say, is history. HERE WE ARE NOW.TAKING THE BIG LEAP. COME DEC., THE PUNKS ARE OFFICIALLY MAN & WIFE!   We are exremely blessed by God for giving us the opportunity to share this event with our closest friends and family. We now present to you, OUR WEDDING ENTOURAGE - *MAID OF HONOR - Nolita Victoria Matienzo* MAN OF HONOR - Dexter Francis De Vera* BRIDESMAIDS* Clarizza Grace A. Balaguer/Libertine Divinagracia/ Eloisa Novara *FLOWER GIRLS* Martina Siobhan Dela Cruz/ Andrea Nicole Paule/ Keila/ Herschel Barcelon *TO LIGHT OUR PATH* Winston & Mary Joanne Dela Cruz/ Franklin & Rosella dela Cruz *TO CLOTHE US AS ONE* Joseph & Leni Paule *TO BIND US AS ONE* Henreich & Mylene Dagohoy *BESTMAN* - Mr. Oliver Madrid *GROOMSMEN* Jehu Nitto Dagohoy/ Francis Spiro Dela Cruz/JR Henrich Dagohoy/John Mel Paule/ Enoch Dagohoy *RINGBEARER* - Anton Astrud dela Cruz *ARRHAE BEARER* - Joseph Ezra Paule *BIBLE BEARER* - Matthew Sumner dela Cruz* Get to know each one of'em as you read the succeeding entries of our blogsite.


I'm a model!

  I am one lucky gal! Give me a room and I can work it in no time.I'm so thankful to God for giving me the "gift of gab". It comes in handyespecially in the industry that I am in (Pre -School Administration). Really, i do not mind speaking with people. I say the right things, i make good lasting impressions, and most especially, i get them under my skin... That is why I sooo love job interviews, presentations, emceeing, and all those stuff most people find nerve wracking! BUT, for some very ironic reasons, I become dumbfounded, nervous, and really really a "CHICKEN" when it comes to attention elicited from winning contests, raffle draws, and the like! (heehee!) I do not know why but I think it is the feeling of being the center of attention when you least expect it. (Matapang lang ako pag ako ang nasa microphone kasi I am in control of the goings-on!) CASE IN POINT: Would you believe, a 20,000 prize i hit @ BINGO BONANZA was almost forfeited just because I was too "nahihiya" to shout BINGO! Stupid I know... Pero I just can't explain why a sudden surge of shyness envelopes my whole being whenever these kind of situations hit me. To be quite honest, I still am praying that I finish my "walk down the aisle" just in time for my groom to catch me as I faint! Imagine 200 pairs of eyes looking at me! Whew, the mere thought makes me wanna puke! That is wh when my fiance & I went to WEDDINGS AT WESTIN last Feb. 27, the raffle (which has one major prize, and lots'a lots'a minor ones c/o exhibitors)was the last thing on my mind. Add to that the hassle of asking the signatures of each and every exhibitor participating in the fair...Excuse me, but that is so not me! Unfortunately, my fiance thought it was a good activity to keep him from falling asleep as i drag him around the fair in my quest to find the best "picks". At one point, I even kidded him " Napaka-jologs naman nitong si Honey ko!" (biruin mo ba namang isa-isahin nya yon...believe me, even you would feel the same!) Good thing, a FASHION SHOW was being held inside the other hall and since I soo love watching models sashay onstage, I feigned dizziness and begged my intended to please bring me to the fashion show as there are many seats there. He agreed immediately ( a plus, of course are the finger foods being served LIBRE!) Freeloader talaga si my punk! The moment we entered the hall, my secret dream of being a model never left my mind. I pictured myself walking down the catwalk...and as a die hard SEX & THE CITY fan that I am, I suddenly remembered the particular episode when CARRIE became a model. I kept on whispering to my fiance the exact words of Carrie, " I'm a model!" So much so that even he got the accent and the "attitude" the exact way Sarah Jessica Parker said it...I'm a model!!! Then, my fantasies were interrupted as I heard the voice-over announcer said "We invite everyone to proceed to the FAIR once again as we draw the trip for two to BALI, INDONESIA, 3nights, 4 days Travel PACKAGE." Once my hubby to be heard that, he grabbed my hand, went straight to MATUS JEWELLERY, paid 2000 as reservation for the WEDDING RING we were not even decided on buying, got the receipt, rushed to where the fair organizers are, and dropped our entry to the MAJOR RAFFLE DRAW. He then seated ourselves in the front row hopin' and prayin' that he will hear my name being announced as the winner. That's when a bizarre sensation got the better of me. As soon as I realized that we could actually WIN, I run away from where he was seated and pretended to go around the booths not even giving a hoot to the contest. My fiance, being the "understanding" & "pasenyoso" that he is, let me be... The winner was picked, and was so relieved that it was not me. (Stupid talaga ako!). Unfortunately, the winner wasn't there anymore so they had to draw and draw until the winner is physically present. Then, I heard my name being called...After that, it was a blur. I saw myself running farther until h2b caught up with me...I said I do not want to come up the stage...I even threatened him that i would run to our car. Then, he had a brilliant idea...He whispered to my ear the following magic words: "Punk, di ba gusto mo kanina pa maging model? The Lord just granted your wish..."Then, with the accent and attitude, he said to me, "You're a model!" And just like that, I had a change of heart...He was right...I am a model! I smiled, and, in a very "model-ly" fashion, I went up the stage and got my prize.I smiled, and smiled obligingly to the camera men in front of me....I was a model!!! I have everyone's attention! Everyone is fussing ovah the MODEL! To the Weddings at Westin Organizers, thanks for letting me fulfill my secret dream...and oh yes, the BALI trip too! Nowadays, whenever that unexplainable fear of being caught offguard hits me, I just remember this incident in my life and hopefully, as I walk down the aisle this Dec., I will keep whispering to myself - "I'm a model!"