It was one Sunday morning of October (2001)... the last Sunday of the semester that I would be attending the worship service at Iloilo before going home for vacation... I've decided to attend the service at our church, Jaro United Methodist Church, where I've never attended the service for three years of my stay in Iloilo... To give you an account on this... this is not because I don't want to be there because it's a bit far, but it's because I've only learned that we have a church there just lately (the week before)... I've discovered it accidentally, I noticed the signboard down the road we passed on our way to Consolacion for a field trip... then I've decided to visit the place and have fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ... There, being a visitor I have to stand to be recognized, as it is the tradition of the church, however, I was also given the opportunity to introduce myself before the congregation... After the service, there was lunch fellowship wherein I had the chance to get to know the members better... and there was this guy who was a son of one of the bishops of our church... he seems to be the "kuya" of the young people... He seems to be kind, approachable, and "kuyang-kuya talaga." I noticed that the young people were so close to him, as if he was their elder brother... not surprising though, because YPs treat each other that way... Anyway, being new in the group, we also had conversation, something like "getting-to-know" type... asking my home church, why I'm in Iloilo, or do you know this person? when are you going home... etc. etc.... During our conversation, he asked for my number, and he rang my phone, so I can save his number too... We parted after that, me and my friend going to Gaisano for lunch and he, going home also... from then on he was my textmate... When I got home (in my dorm), he even called me... I just can't remember what we've talked about... all I remember is that our conversation was cut...

My scheduled flight for Manila was Thursday (October 23)... Actually, we're supposed to leave Iloilo at the same day for he is from Davao, however, he has an activity in Guimaras Island the day before giving him not enough time to pack up so he moved his trip Friday... Anyway, he volunteered to accompany me to the airport for he owes me a treat... When we were at the airport, we had refreshments at Bernie's Place, where we had a chance to get to know each other better... we talked... we laughed... we smiled... At that time, I felt that I already knew him, I was so comfortable with him... I just can tell him almost everything... I look up to him as my kuya... for I dont have a biological elder brother... He seems to be so gentle, caring, like an elder brother...

Finally, I arrived home (Tuguegarao) after long hours of travel (by bus)... we are in "text" contact then... We exchange messages on the way we're spending our sem-break... where we were, what we're doing, who's with us... etc. etc...

Vacation is over, time to go back to school... time to travel again... and its what I hate most... I love traveling, but I hate sitting in the bus for around 12 hours... doing nothing but sleeping... though I love sleeping... It's not that comfortable, so I cant enjoy... beside, I usually have motion sickness, and considering the long and winding road trip, it makes be throw up...

Yes, I'm back in Iloilo again... this time, I attend Sunday services at the City except for times when I have exams for the week... Anyway, at times when I attend service at Jaro, we usually take our lunch together... at Kenny Roger's SM City... then after lunch, we just have window shopping, sometimes he accompanies me buy some school stuff, sometimes we play at the arcade and sometimes we see a movie... Speaking of movies, the first ever movie that we watched together was Monsters Inc.

December, its Christmas vacation... he went home earlier than me... but he went to Baguio first before going home (Davao)... December 23 was my scheduIed trip home... When I travel, I always sleep the moment I sat on the bus to avoid motion sickness... but I wake up from time to time during stop overs or when I feel uncomfortable... When I woke up, it was also a routine to check my phone for any messages or calls I've missed to answer... Then, I've noticed a missed call from a number not in my phonebook... What I did, as I always do, was to ring that number without any intention to speak with the person... (sayang ang load...) Then surprisingly, after ringing the number, my phone rang and I answered it. I dont know the guy from the other line so I asked who he was, then he answered that he was Bishop... Gosh! I almost stammered not knowing what to do... I seem to be startled from my sleep and immediately became wide awake... I cant find the words to say... but I just said that the number gave me a ring as registered in my phone... I also added that maybe kuya (the guy) used the phone... so he (Bishop) called kuya and I was able to speak with him explaining him what had just happened... After the call, I was in my deep sleep again... Finally, I arrived home... It was my Mom's birthday, so we (together with my elder sister) proceeded to the church for the last day of the Morning Watch services... During my vacation, I received a gift unexpectedly coming from this guy... when I opened it, it was a pink (my fave color) shirt from Baguio City and a cute and simple handmade card with a message saying, "....I'm blessed for having you in my life...." I was happy then, for the surprise... I love surprises... However, I started to wonder why this guy was acting something like he's courtiing me... But I just shrugged my shoulders with the thought...

Back to school... same school and same Sunday routines... but this time, text messages with this guy seem to be different already... not just having "friendly" content but its going on a "more than a friend" direction... I was a bit upset then, I'm not so sure of my emotions, or his emotions... basically because I maybe afraid to assume... and afraid to commit and get hurt the second time around... However, there was one situation that happened, where I realized that I've already fallen for this guy... I'm not sure if he was God's Perfect plan for me but l hope he is... At the end of January (2002), I didnt just welcome him in my heart, but I also allowed him to enter my life... to keep forever...

February, it was our first date together as boyfriend-girlfriend... we had our lunch at our fave place (KR) together with his sister afterwhich we watched a movie, "the Lord of the Rings 1." Days passed and we had our second date at the Bantayan Resort, viewing the ocean... talking... smiling... we're so in-love... Months passed... It was April then, time for me to undertake my practicum as part of my curriculum in school. Luckily, I had my practicum at Davao. So I was able to meet his family and some friends... We had great moments together... memorable experiences that I'll forever cherish the rest of my life... We went to places... Jacks Ridge, GAP Farm, Philippine Eagle, UP Mindanao.... Being there with me made my practicum experience so special and unforgettable... I've learned lot of things not only from my training in the industry but most of all from him... I took a step up to maturity...

Another school year again, my last and final stage in my college years. Being a graduating student is exciting and in a way "terrifying..." in the sense that I'm not certain if I'll be able to graduate considering that I have a Special Prob and Thesis... Going back to my subject, the "love of my life," he was there all along giving me support and inspiration... though there were times that we had LQs, we never resort to break up... we just let it pass in a while then talk about it after... that's the way things are being settled between us... There was one time that we had LQ and I know its my fault... to appease him, I did something that I thought I only see in movies... my friend also agreed with me... well, I dont know if people consider it crazy or corny, but I call it love... I love this guy so much that I just made this move without considering what others would think... (wala namang ibang nakakaalam eh...) However, when that was done for me I'd consider that sweet... People might ask what I liked about him? That's not surprising, he has the looks and appeal that a woman would fall for.... he is smart... thoughtful... loving... and so romantic... I remember, on our ninth monthsary, he managed to give me three yellow roses through my best friend... I was at my dorm then, I'm thinking if I'll be going to the school library to do research and other requirements... suddenly, I heard my name being paged for a phone call... so I went down the stairs and answered my call... my friend was on the other line, asking if I'll be coming to school, I said I'm still thinking about it 'coz we dont have a class... then she said, I must go... so I said ok, then hang up... I rushed to my room and get dressed and prepared for school checking if I forgot something important... When I was at the library, my friend was smiling sweetly and immediately asked me to accompany her to the guard and handed me a bouquet telling that it came from this guy... see what I mean? Now, thats romantic... he's doing his best to show how much he cares... how special I am...

January (2003) came, its our First Anniversary... Since I'm in Miag-ao and he's in the City, I went to the City to celebrate this special occasion... It was really special and romantic... As I opened the door in the house, my eyes sparkled in surprise on the things before me... laid on the table was a big bear (I named Anni), a colorful balloon with a print saying, "Happy Anniversary," flowers and a poem with a pink background specially made for me... my name is hidden in the lines of the poem... Honestly, I didnt actually recognize it not until he told me so... how sweet... We went to SM City and see a movie (Half Past Dead), then we had our dinner at Barbeque Park, its a native restaurant situated at a river bank... we had sweet talks and somewhat reminiscing moments... That's really sweet...

Few months passed and my Graduation Day came, my parents came over to attend and celebrate my success... my Dear (I address this guy) was also present... he was able then to meet my parents... As a gift, he gave me a watch, which I wear on my graduation... We celebrated at the same place, where we celebrated our Anniversary... I actually chose the place 'coz its memorable to me...

Summer came, I enrolled non-degree courses in preparation for my board exam (the first board exam for fisheries). These courses last for a month and it ended first week of June... I was so sad and lonely then... It would mean being apart from the one I love... Actually, some of my friends were teasing me that I am enrolling a course on LDLA, which stands for Long Distance Love Affair... The day I left Iloilo, I was in tears then, its very hard for me to leave... aside from being away to my Dear, I'm so uncertain on when we'll be seeing each other again... It was really sad... especially that I'm used to be hanging around with him whenever time permits...

I was hired as a Research Assistant at the WorldFish Center-Philippines, which was based in Laguna. I was new in the place and had only few friends and that adds up to my loneliness. My routine was work, take out dinner then in my room... I tried to review and prepare myself for the board exam... July came, I celebrated my birthday with some of my friends... as our form of communication, we exchange text messages, calls, e-mails and chat... One good thing that happened was I was given a chance to have a trip in Iloilo... so, we had sometime to be together, I was so happy for that chance coz I missed him so much... For the rest of the year we relied to text messages, calls, e-mails and chat using webcam, thanks to the technology. Then, there was an event at UPV in December, which was the Pagpanginbulahan a recognition ceremony for UPV board passers... so being one of them, I used this as an excuse at the office to go to Iloilo with a hidden agenda... if you know what I mean... We were together once again... we visited the Angelicum, CPU, and we had dinner at a place where they serve iced tea in a fish bowl, we really had a great time together though it was too short...

Our Second Anniversary seem to be an ordinary day for me... We were not together to celebrate it... We only exchanged gifts... thanks to the mail system, at least we know its working... Again, thanks to the technology... it helped us communicate and see each other despite the distance...

Months passed so fast... Its already April, my Dear's graduation... I came back to Iloilo to be with him on this special occasion of his life, his graduation from Medicine... he is now a Medical Doctor... Actually, I accompanied her grandmother went up the stage to do the honors... I felt flattered and with great pride for that opportunity given to me... I felt how special I am to him... then we had our celebration at Day's Hotel... Another thing I couldnt forget from that trip was the day I arrived... we went to Robinsons for lunch, there I met his Titas, cousin and grandmother... After lunch, he showed me his exhibit (aside from being a doctor, he is also a photo artist), I was so surprised when I saw my picture in one of the exhibits under portrait... I couldnt believe it... What am I doing here, I managed to ask... Anyway, funny thing was that, it won 2nd place under that category... Unbelievable! How can that happen?!

After his graduation, he joined me back to Manila, where he moved for his internship... I was happy then 'coz we can be together at least every weekend... we watch movies... we go on a night swimming in resorts nearby... we play... we dine in nice places... we just enjoyed each other's company... such lovely couples...

I'll never forget my birthday, I can say its one of the happiest moments in my life... He gave me a very big teddy bear (Bidi) and then we went to Tagaytay as my request... we visited the "Palace in the Sky," overlooking the Taal Volcano... the Peoples Park, such a nice place... then had dinner at Maxx, where I burst in tears... I was so happy and I couldnt contain myself so I cried... Tears of joy, I guess... or a trace of bitterness of the past birthdays I had... I really treasure this moment...

Seeing each other on weekends gives me joy and excitement that makes me look forward for weekends... We usually go to mall (SM North, Megamall, Robinsons, Gateway, Walter Mart, Shangri-la) walk around, play basketball or other games at the arcade, sing in the videoke ''bar,'' then often times watch movies... sometimes we also go to places like zoo (Manila zoo, Malabon zoo), parks (Intramuros, Ninoy Aquino Park 'n Wildlife, Luneta, Quezon Memorial Circle, EK, Star City and more...) just walk around, enjoy the place, have a chat, watch the sunset (whenever we catch it), smile together, laugh, giggle at each other's jokes and simply enjoy... have quality time together... sometimes we also go there to play badminton and have a bet, wherein the looser will treat the winner... sad to say, I'm always defeated... There was this time also that we went to Enchanted Kingdom... we enjoy the rides and the amusements... and we're a bit tired at the end of the day... our first stop was the 'fun house' then we tried bump cars, the swan, log jam (whew! that was scary... by the way, we bought a photo of this experience), the rapids (where I enjoyed it even though I'm a bit wet...), of course ferris wheel (where my Dear was a bit scared) and the grand carousel... We also tried the 4D, the basketball, which I enjoyed... It was really fun and exciting... Another thing we love doing is dining at different restaurants... we tried several restaurants at different places already... In Iloilo, we've dined at Days Hotel, Bavaria (German restaurant), Jo's, Casa Monteclaro, Talabahan, Barbeque Park, Muséé restobar, Al dente, Hotel del Rio, etc. etc... In Los Baños, Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Dalampasigan, Makiling Cafe, Ihaw Express, Selinas, Isabels... in Davao, Jacks Ridge, Mandarin, ''mountain top,'' and in Manila, Treehouse, Muang Thai, Japs resto, Yellow Cab, Old Spaghetti House, Dadz (eat all you can), Roxas Blvd., Gerry's Grill, Pier 1, and Singing Cooks and Waiters, where we dined recently... and I didnt only enjoy the food, but I also enjoyed the performance of the cooks and waiters... I had really great time...

Now, going back... my Dear attended our Christmas Party (office)... we had games, which both of us participated... the newspaper dance, the ''egg'' game (I dont know how the game was called) and others... we both enjoyed I guess...

January (2005). Our Third Anniversary... I didnt know what to expect... but what I have in mind is that we'll be having a simple dinner prepared by him then we'll dance or watch movie after... however, I was so surprised... so amazed that I dont know how to react... I'd like to share you my most unforgettable and heart overwhelming experience, which I think was the happiest moment in our relationship so far... Though how simple it seems, for me its wonderful and romantic... Since I came from Los Baños then, he fetched me at the drop off point nearby... then we walked to his place... as I opened the door, the room was a bit dim and I could smell the fragrance of rose petals... the camera was set in its place... the table was already set and in it are pink candles, stuff toys in a basket with a balloon having an ''I Love You'' print in it and another having Happy Anniversary, a big card and bouquet of flowers wrapped in pink fancy wrapper... as I entered the room... seeing these things touched my heart... I felt so special... that I find myself in tears... I hugged him tight while tears were falling down my face... He tried to calm me down and wanted to take a picture, but I dont... I dont want to see a picture of myself in tears... But anyway, I managed to compose myself, so he assisted me to my chair and dinner was served... it was a candlelight dinner... he was the cook, the waiter, the photographer and my date all at the same time... I did nothing... While we were having dinner, music was playing in the background... After dinner, he washed the dishes while I remained in my chair staring at the lighted candles, smelling the flowers and admiring the stuff toys, the place which he decorated with rose petals... When he was done he handed me the big card... it had a beautiful message and also written was a poem made by him, which had a very striking content that the last sentence of it played in my mind over and over... its a question saying, ''would you become my wife?'' I didnt say anything after reading that, but I asked him to read it for me... I'd like him to be the one to deliver it that I would better appreciate it coz he was the one who made it, I'd like to see his expression... and with the last question, he'd taken out a figurine containing a ring and slipped the ring in my right ring finger... and gave me a caricature with the words, "Will you marry me?" It took me a few seconds to answer... 'coz I never expected it... but I finally said "yes" and signed it in the space provided in the caricature... then we kissed and hugged... we danced... we celebrated our anniversary and at the same time our Engagement... it was indeed a very special event in our lives that I wanted to last forever... With this, I thanked God for working in our lives and specially in our relationship... and I look forward for the time that God would bless us together as lifetime partners...

My perfect moments? All of these, but the very special one will be the time that I will be walking down the aisle wearing my elegant white dress... then the love of my life will be waiting for me near the altar and singing as I walk... then as I draw near him, he would be smiling sweetly... and will assist me to the altar... as we both make our vow before our Creator... "in sickness or in health, in richest or in poor... till death do us part..."

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