Wednesday, December 28, 2005

one-angle thought on weddings...

Driving off to work one morning, I heard the DJs on my favorite radio station interview a male celebrity. I didn’t get the name of this man because I wasn’t really paying attention at first, and I also didn’t know why he spoke about weddings too…maybe he’s promoting something or he’s about to get married, whatever!…Anyways, my attention was caught by his verbal treatise on weddings, particularly big weddings, and although I do not agree 100% with his idiosyncrasies, I find his exegesis sensible.

According to him, nuptials were meant to be very private, and, that nobody really cares about the wedding except those who are getting wed themselves (the latter is what I strongly oppose). But since he said it so candidly, I continued to listen. Based on my interpretation of his premise (or at least what I thought I heard, hahaha!!!) , he advised those getting married and planning a wedding party to stop making their guests suffer by giving-in to their whims and fixations like, the type and color of clothes guests should wear (please come in pastels, in floral, etc.), by buying the gifts specified on the wish lists (yes, they do have wish lists, discreetly, by informing guests of their wedding registry in selected department store or shops, some even limit their gift wish list to pricey items, just how inappropriate is that?). I think the guy made a valid point.

Why can’t the guests wear the clothes they prefer to wear, or choose the gifts they can afford, or is really meaning to give, scratch conformity. I observed too, in one or two occasions, guests are obliged to shell-out extra cash for clothes to wear and to buy the gifts they think would please the couple instead of giving the gift which comes from their hearts. So, instead of looking forward to attending the wedding, the guests dread the event, at times feel reluctant to be there, and worst of all, some end up with excuses of not showing up, instead of celebrating with the couple tying the knot.

Perceptible isn’t it? But I love weddings and I enjoy attending wedding parties because it’s romantic and I’d like to see as many beautiful brides, their gowns, the head dresses, and the flower arrangements. On a more serious note, I endear being witness to a sacred union which to me is really especial and worth celebrating. Imagine – finding two people (most of the times very much opposites), joining them, and hear them promise their lives to each other, together, forever. Awesome!

Talking of weddings, my friend Allen and husband-to-be Lowell (they maybe off for the honeymoon already as I write this piece), chose me to be one of their primary sponsors (the fifth couple I am to). Of course, they are not the kind of person who gives out wish lists, and theirs is not the type of wedding mentioned above. Allen is such a sweet and loving person and although I don’t know Lowell that much, I’m sure he’s one very good man, and their nuptial is like a dream… A garden wedding on a cool December morning in scenic Tagaytay shared with the family, closest relatives and friends, solemn and romantic, I imagined it to be. I wished I was there to witness the sweetest moment in their lives, but since I cannot be – I’m just sending them both this loving message...
The warmest best wishes for your married life. May God shower you with enough blessings to make your life together stronger. And I’d like to add, Dear Allen and Lowell that I am so honored and pleased to be one of your "Ninangs."
For those getting married, and those planning to get married in the future, I'm leaving you a borrowed line from Hallmark, "Weddings are more than a long-awaited day, it is the beautiful beginning of all the days of your life together," soooo thoughtful.

Click Here To Write Me

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Love came down...

Off for a four day vacation, I was hoping Monday at the stores is light and I could do my last minute Christmas shopping with ease. My first stop was Washington Mutual at 3rd Street to get some cash, not for the gifts because I usually use the power of plastic for all expenditures, but for the meals while shopping. WAMU's parking lot was full and so are the parking lots of all the stores we visited from Beverly Hills to Glendale. Had I not applied the stoic strategy of "just wait, don't drive" I wouldn't be able to find a slot to squeeze-in my tiny SUV. But I love full parking and shops full of people at Christmas time, it reminds me of SM (Southmall, Megamall, Bacoor) my favorite shopping center in the Philippines. The scene is familiar, people rush to the mall to get last minute gifts for their love ones, makes me feel I'm at my hometown.

Despite the full parking lots, the florid homes, and the festive menu however, I still feel the celebration here is a bit languor, maybe because it is a non-secular country so people greet with "Happy Holidays" (to be safe of not offending somebody) instead of "Merry Christmas" which is what the season is about, the birth of Jesus Christ.

I miss the rice cakes and the "puto bumbong" (a purple variation of rice cake cooked in bamboos), I miss attending "Simbang Gabi" (a series of dawn masses) and seeing frowsy faces trying to complete the novena of masses. I'd like to think Christmas in the Philippines is inimitable. The only country in the world where the season kicks-off officially the first day of September (because the month's name ends in "ber" same as in Decem"ber"), where radio stations play euphonious Christmas carols instead of the popular song "September Morn." Where enticing display of "parol" (a native Christmas lantern, usually shaped like a star) and lights, enhances the hopes of the zealous filipinos.

Here, there, or anywhere, Christmas is always especial, looking forward to a home filled with happiness and togetherness of family and friends. It is also a day of feasting, delicious meals, wines and drinks, and doing everything we love. It is a season of prayer, of giving and receiving (I love presents!), of reconciliation and forgiving, with memories that linger long after the season is over.

Twelve years ago on December 25, love came down on us at Christmas. Our little bundle of joy is now a young man. Happy Birthday Abraham!

Love came down at Christmas; Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas, Stars and angels gave the sign.--Christina Rossetti

and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

Have the Merriest Christmas and the Best of the New Year from our family to yours...





Click Here To Write Me

Sunday, December 11, 2005

View from the top

This is one of the oldest structure in Downtown Los Angeles' Financial District. 727 West 7th is Roosevelt Building. A building with a character, and a favorite filming spot for Hollywood movies, including the famous Spiderman 2. I remember when this movie was being shot, without hesitation, I approached the production man to ask when Tobey Maguire or Kirsten Dunst will be there to shoot their parts, only to be told that the stars won't be coming for the duration of the filming. Disappointed, I asked more questions and I learned a little about second unit production filming, but that's another story. What I'm trying to say is, three years stay at Roosevelt is really worth every hour of it. It's interesting, fun, sometimes challenging, my coworkers can tell you why.

Until the move to the third highest building in the southwest, the AON Center. This is my view...hmmm...I fell in love again.

at mid day...
...where Wilshire begins

and Swordfish' helicopter scenes were shot...

where the Hollywood sign at the back adds more delight







...where happy faces means




more fun at work!





At sundown, it's even lovelier...when the skies are
clear, I'm blessed with a view of the Pacific Ocean...


breathtakingly beautiful!

The final story, the final chapter of western man, I believe, lies in Los Angeles. - Phil Ochs

Click Here To Write Me