a groovy kind of luv!

 

"We were both busy living our separate lives until the LORD revealed HIS wonderful plan for us - TO spend the rest of our lives together." At first it seemed odd, but when we finally let GOD write our love story, we discovered a kind of love we never knew existed. HE really is the AUTHOR of great romances. Ours is a love story devoid of the mushy trimmings. NO DRAMA, NOT MUCH FANFARE, but is nonetheless filled with genuine and sensible LOVE. Before, we thought we are experts in this game of love. But strangely enough, it is only when we found each other that we knew how it is to LOVE and be LOVED... It's HIP, It's COOL, and best of all, IT IS GOD's WILL. We are D PUNKS and we invite you to our BLOG...A chronicle of our year long preparation for our upcoming wedding. On December 29, 2005, the PUNKS are officially man & wife!!!

 

the skinny on how the PUNKS came to be...

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.

OUR WEDDING LOGO

This was made by Jon during the early stages of our wedding preps. Back then, we were really clueless and thought it wise to create a "visual handle" for starters. This may not be as spectacular as those I have seen while bloghopping...but what d heck? This was made by MY PUNK and that alone makes it the BESTEST logo in the world. Weee!!! See this appear in all our wedding materials...

meet the parents!

First off, meet my mom and dad. They are married since October 25, 1969 (can you beat that?) I may not be that vocal about it but I so love them very much...(i really do!). I know that I may not be the best daughter one could ever have, but I try my very best to at least make them proud. My parents did not get to where they are right now with just a flick of a finger. Whatever accomplishments they have now are products of hard work and lotsa lotsa patience. I want to dedicate to them this blogsite too. I may be what others call "independent" and "self-reliant" but I know deep deep inside me, I am still a baby that will forever be incomplete without my mom and dad. I love you both...I am who i am today because of YOU!!!

Para kay Bos Jani at Lola Edeng

Hindi na ako magpapatumpik-tumpik pa. Tatapangan ko na po ang aking "hiya" para sabihin sa inyo na ngayon pa lamang po, pinananabikan ko na ang tawagin kayong Nanay at Tatay! Sabi nila, isa sa pinakamahirap na pinagdadaanan ng babaeng bagong kasal ay ang pakibagayan ang kanyang bagong biyenan. Yan din po ang akala ko noon bago ko kayo makilala. Pero sa maikling panahon po na tayo ay nagkasama (sa Singapore at nung isang araw na nakasama ako sa Bataan) naramdaman ko po ang "init" ng pagtanggap ninyo sa akin. Dahil diyan, napakalaki po ng ipinagpapasalamat ko sa Diyos. Kung gaano po ako nananabik na maikasal kay Jon-Jon, gayon din po ang maging parte ng pamilya ninyo...maraming maraming salamat po sa pagpapalaki at pagaaruga ninyo kay Jon. Nadala po niya pati sa aming relasyon ang lahat ng pangaral at turo ninyo. Minsan, hindi ko po maiwasan ang mahiya dahil alam ko po na lahat ng sakripisyo at paghihirap na dinanas ninyo mapalaki lamang ng tama at mabuti si Jon, ako po ang direktang makikinabang. Pero huwag po kayong mag-alala. Aalagaan ko po ng mabuti si Jon. Papahalagahan ko po ang pangalan niya at sisiguruhin ko po na hindi kailanman ko ipagkakait sa kanya ang mahalin at alagaan kayo. Ipinagdarasal ko po na maging mabuti akong "manugang" para ng sa gayon, hindi kayo mawawalan ng anak, bagkus madadagdagan pa ng isa. MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA PAGBIBIGAY SA AKIN NG ISANG LALAKING MAGINOO, MABAIT, MAAALALAHANIN, MAY PRINSIPYO SA BUHAY, MAY PANGARAP, AT HIGIT SA LAHAT, MAY TAKOT SA DIYOS.Mahal ko po kayo!

I PROMISE TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR "BUNSOY"

Parents' Face Off in the Lion City

While it is true that Jon and I are very very compatible since Day One, we can't say that much as regards our parents. You see, they are poles apart as far as lifestyle is concerned. Allow me to concretely illustrate my point: PAULE FAMILY *meals are cooked fresh every meal time *husband & wife stay at home to take care of the household, etc. *keeps a house complete with the works – kitchen, garden, veranda, etc. *goes out to relax *calls CAVITE & BATAAN their respective provinces. On the other hand, in the DELA CRUZ HOUSEHOLD - *meals are bought from “carinderias” every meal time *husband & wife is at work most of the time *what house? they live at the topmost floor of a building *goes home to relax *what province? are Tondo & Sampaloc considered provinces? That is the reason why we felt the need to cook up a little vacation for the two families to avoid "untoward" incidents during pamamanhikan. (teehee!) So, the idea of spending Christmas in Singapore materialized. We decided it's worth every single centavo we will spend as both of us feel the need for our families to be united as well. Was it a success? A resounding YES!
The two mothers - Mommy & Nanay
PUNKIN' FUSION at the famous Singapore Theater






we also got to experience a cross-the-border trip to MALAYSIA where we had a taste of how it's like to be wed MALAY style...

tsikiting patrol

Right from the very start of our wedding preparations, Jon & I agreed that our wedding will be a grand family affair. Meaning, each & every member of our immediate family will play an important role in the ceremony.That of course includes our cute "pamangkins"! Never mind if some of them have just started to walk and talk... Never mind also if we break all traditions & end up having bearers for each ring, or two bible bearers (for each testament! ) ... these adorable kids are sashaying down the aisle w/ us come Dec. 29, Martha Stewart be damned! Photo shows (fr. L-R) JR, Ezra (both nephews of Jon), Matthew, Spiro, Siobee, & Astrud-my pamangkins whom I am really really fond of. They all call me Ninang Mye and I love them like they are my children...
this is jon's only niece - andrea a.k.a "budang".
this two cute boys are jon's enoch & jomel. Two very active boys who has got overflowing supply of energy in every fiber of their beings. They are nonetheless certified darlings!
finally, meet jehu! He is the oldest apo from Jon's side. He is truly a brilliant boy! We also got two flower girls who are not our first degree nieces but nonetheless play a significant role in our lives...they are Keila (Jon's Aussie Niece courtesy of his cousin with whom he is very fond of) and Herschel - my goddaughter who is the only child of Anita, my dear dear friend who passed away last year... Will these "tsikitings" pull it through on our Wedding day sans major booboos? Well, that remains to be seen... but truth be told, Jon & I couldn't care less... These kids are sooo dear to their Tito Jon & Tita Mye. In fact, they can steal the show from us anytime they want!

an ODE to my thirty somethin' bridesmaids...(im glad we lived long enough to tell the tale)

Not so long ago, six high school girls were brought together by circumstance. Though most of us were already friends for a long time, it was during lunch breaks at the High School's Gymnasium where we started to bond. Actually, we were originally three duos who fused. There was an unwritten understanding among the duos that whoever came first to the Gym, they should "save" spaces for the other two duo. Soon after, we just found ourselves coming together apart from the usual boring lunches at school. Then, some boys (at least they looked straight then, hehehe)joined the group... And that is how "KJUTS" was born. Myra & Rizza; Loisa & Anitz, Libay & Nollie (teka d b kabarkada din natin si Melissa? San na kaya ngaun si Liz?). Dexter and Arvin were semi - regulars as well. WE SURVIVED HIGH SCHOOL UNEVENTFULLY, ok, ok, there were a few highlights naman pala: -the infamous party of Loisa; the "crush ng crush ko" reputation of Riz that had us all turning green with envy; the bouquet of rose that LIBAY (ever the beauty queen that she was, hehe)so lovingly clung to at the CATERPILLAR ride; the ala-MENUDO Dance NUmber of Anitz (to the tune of EXPLOSION) that had Ate Anjanette go for the GABRIELA SILANG mode much to my chagrin!; the "uhog" Valentine Snafu that Riz and I figured ourselves into all for the luv of Deck & Arvin; and of course, the ESCORIAL-BALAGUER match that had me standing as the official counsel of RIZ... teka muna, come to thyink of it, super eventful pala! Going back to the story, it was after high school that we really proved how close we were with each other. Just as the other high school barkadas were disbanding because of different collegiate paths, KJUTS stayed stuck with each other eventhough we attended different universities. Of course, noone will ever forget the times when we had to contend with life's real drama. - Loise' migration to CANADA - Our numerous heart aches with the many men we chose to love... Hey guys, sige nga, do you still remember who were ex-partners with whom? BOG, ANDREW, BOK, DENNIS, RONIEL PAPAYA, ARDENT SONON, MARLON IN SUIT & TEDDYBEAR AT NOONTIME, CHED AND WHO IS THAT GUY NGA ULET NA NAHUMALENG SAYO NG TODO LIBERTINE? Promise di ko talaga maalala. Sari-saring pangalan, but none of them is worthy of us. hehehe because: Loise is bound to meet JOE (sana naman friend kami ni Joe ngaun kaya nga inuna ko nang imention kasi baka di ako patirahin sa Vancouver pagpunta namin don sa Honeymoon, hehehe) Libay is to marry ALLAN ( na hindi pa pinagtapat agad sakin..napili pa ang white sands ng Boracay to tell me the news! hehehe) Anitz pala is crossing paths pala with Paul Deck used to date gurls those times...(did he not?) I guess Marnie yung name or was it? Oh well, baka bridal gown designer na yun ngayon because of Deck's inspirations. Hahaha! Riz is to damn space & time pala for James...Remind me to have a word or two with James pag-uwi dito nun...I just have to tell him how BLESSED he is for having Rizza. Sooo faithful, that gurl! Noli naman pala is to meet Doc, then as fate would have it, she is now back in the dating game...Pero I've no doubt that HE is not far behind! Back to our reminiscin'... The saddest life reality these girls went through was in 2004 when ANITZ was brutally murdered in her apartment. (insert tears here...) It was almost unbelievable...She, who is a lover of life...She, who has a humble heart and a generous soul? I still think of her every night before i go to sleep...Miss you sooo much Anits...I miss our shopping escapades, our naughty little TRADING game (na kinamatayan mo na na andito pa sa akin...) Promise, di ko na pinapanood for fear that you might appear there...hahaha! Anyhoo, these girls who now have carved a niche in their respective careers, has a wedding to go to in December. Never mind if they are thirty something year olds now ( cute pa din naman!) This is a fulfillment of our promise to be bridesmaids on each other's wedding day... I am deeply HONORED guys that you all accepted my humble invitation (as if may choice kayo...) to play significant role in my "pag-iisang" dibdib with JON. May I just say this: I am the most blessed bride because I have you guys to share the moment with... AND IN GRATITUDE, I PROUDLY GIVE YOU A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR WEDDING BLOG AS I INTRODUCE YOU TO THE WORLD WIDE WEB!
The good-looking man on the photo is Deck, my Man of Honor. Yep, u read it right...MAN OF HONOR. (Told ya this is a unique wedding, ryt?)In fairness naman kay DECK, di ako papayag na di sya kasali sa entourage come hell or high waters...Eh alangan namang lagay ko sya sa invitation as bridesmaid? Di din naman pwedeng Groomsmen dahil by doing so, he will be standing for JON technically. AYAW!!! Believe me, the gay er guy deserves the title. Whenever my Punk is unavailable, Deck goes with me to bridal fairs, food tastings, etc. etc. He is the best GIRLFRIEND trapped in a man's body...He is to me Madonna's Rupert Everett in the movie THE NEXT BEST THING! You can be rest assured Ateng that I will never ever forget our blood compact. No matter how busy i will get with my new role as a wife, our Saturday rendezvous stays. That's non-negotiable! We will still be roaming the streets of Quiapo long after DVDLANDIA is put to ashes by Pareng Doods... Beside him is my DEAR RIZZA -(My Bridesmaid) A childhood friend with whom I shared a lot of LOBO biscuits, turon, and Chippys with. The friend who became the sister I have always wanted to have... The person who knew all my secrets and my unimaginable CRUSHES...(u know who I am talkin' about,ryt?) The friend whom I thought I lost forever... She fits the title TRUE FRIEND to a T! Riz, I am thankful that the LORD gave you back to me... I am so glad that after all we have gone through, you are still around to share with me the happiest day of my life. Thanks for the patience Claring... I know I wouldn't get to better days if you did not wake me up from THAT nightmare! GOD bless your dear dear heart! You are my LIFESAVER and I love you...
and now meet Nollie (shown here with Deck). She is my MAID OF HONOR! I wouldn't have survived the long flight to the land of milk & honey if it weren't for this gurl. I still vividly remember my proposal to her as our plane managed its way out of the nerve wracking turbulence for what seemed like eternity - "Gurl, if ever we get out of this plane alive, will you be my maid of honor when I do get married someday?" Well, it has been four years since that cloudy day in February. It's high time I fulfill my promise...totoo na ito gurl! Sure, there's been some changes in the casting (if u catch my drift, hehe)but I assure you my friend that JON is finally, THE ONE... I am glad that we have stood by each other through all the pain our stupid hearts has gotten us into... Lastly, this I hafta say to u - Someday, the love of your life will come...A girl who's as pure, true, and loving as you is really saved for last...Mark my word! You do not have any idea what our LORD has prepared for you!

all for the moolah!

teachers' conference 2005-2006