For Denz and Leejay

We waited for this wedding for over a decade, approximately 14 years I think.

Leejay, I met you while you were still part of the children's choir (together with my crazy neighbor, Jajah, who was your best bud back then). I tried really hard to find the photo where you guys had on white togas and a huge purple bow, but it escaped me.

Denz, I met you in our alma mater while you were part of Harlequin Theater. You became my friend for life when you brought Alan, my thesismate, to my house at two in the morning. And then eventually you joined the choir.

Who would have ever thought that someday the two of you would tie the knot. Well... I did. Jajah did. Everyone else did, except the two of you. And that's why we just let you be when you started having coffee time on your own (notice I did not term it as "coffee date"). We knew that something was brewing, but you guys were taking your own sweet time.

I wasn't surprised when one day I received a call from Denz. He told me he was falling in love with Leejay. He didn't want to since you were best friends and he didn't want to ruin your friendship. At last! I thought and I was one of those who encouraged him to pursue Leejay. And when I got the chance, I gave Leejay some unsolicited advise to take the chance and get in a relationship with Denz. Now na!

Well, you guys made up for it and here you are, MARRIED! It was truly a pleasure to witness how God wrote your love story and here's the video I put together with the help of Jajah, Ate Edith, Kuya Yul, Ate Rose, JM and Jay. I shed some tears while making the video because I realized how much you guys have been part of my life.



Take care and may God bless you with many, many kids!

Unrequited Love, Ouch!

There are so many love songs that talk about this kind of love. I've had my fair share of it and it wasn't really a good feeling because you always feel as though you're going to burst with the feeling. You're anxious, hopeful, giddy, and excited all at the same time. That's a lot of stress I tell you.

It took me years to realize that unrequited love is something you can avoid. A lot of people would argue that love comes in the least expected time and that you cannot control it. That's true too. Eventually I realized though that it may be controllable if you realize who it is you've fallen for and why you should not pursue it. It's usually -

(1) your best friend

(2) your buddy guy/gal friend

(3) your close colleague/classmate

And you usually find yourself in this situation -

Paano na kaya, 'di sinasadya
'Di kayang magtapat ang puso ko
Bakit sa dinami-rami ng kaibigan ko ikaw pa
Paano na kaya 'di sinasadya
Ba't nahihiya ang puso ko
Hirap nang umibig sa isang kaibigan
'Di masabi ang nararamdaman
Paano na kaya

*Song by Bugoy Drilon

I found myself in that situation several times and I am just thankful that I managed to salvage most of those friendships. My stupidy wasn't worth ruining the friendship. And that's the key word, FRIENDSHIP.

When I started to have a small crush on Sweetie, I told myself that I shouldn't even think about it because we were best friends. I managed by seeing other people and by reminding myself that he liked someone else. And the theme song for that is "Kung Ako na Lang Sana". He did not have any inkling until the time he asked permission to court me. I told him then, "Let's skip that." Imagine his shock.

Falling for your friend puts a lot of strain on your friendship, especially when he doesn't have the same feelings for you. It's very hard not to hope since you tend to interpret his actions differently. Harshly put, he's just being himself and not really into you. So, wake up before it's too late!

Suggested readings:

How to Find Your One True Love, Bo Sanchez

He's Just Not Into You, Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo

The Rules, Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider