Fifteen years ago, I remember the first time I laid my eyes on her. She, striding down the MassComm hall in a somewhat flawless walk, donning most of the time in maong and shirt blouse attire. She completely awed me every time she passes by or even just smiling from afar. Funny though, I never knew her then. Good thing, a batchmate of mine, Mai, was an orgmate and a close friend of her. Immediately, I asked for her help. And then finally, the moment came when I was formally introduced to her face to face. The moment Mai said, “Kaye, si Bong. Bong, si Kaye…” never was I totally ecstatic about the whole meet-&-greet setup with the person I’ve been eyeing to get close to. Since then, I thought things will then take its course. Or that’s what I expected it to become. After a few times that I had “happy feel” moments with her, especially those times when we get to take the bus ride going to Boni (where she gets off to go to her tita’s house where her dad fetches her), I thought I was doing a great job of slowly but surely becoming close enough to eventually ask her for a date. I know that time there were also others who’d want to win her badly. But that was my chance. However, when December came, the month when all good things seem to flourish, unfortunately ended not so good for me. I was refused, passed, thrown the bucket. In short — basted! It hurt me badly that after that instant, I thought of forgetting her. I thought that was the end of it

By middle of 1997 was the next time I got to encounter Kaye again after that “pffft” college incident. Still, something was different. Kaye has still that magic spell on me in a way. And all those times I get to visit her at the IL office in Makati, I carry with me that feel of elation because I knew it was her that I’ll see. I even remember bringing my camera with me and by chance, we did have that first picture together. Boy, was I so much in cloud heaven!

From 1997 to 1999, I tried again and again to prove myself to her. But there were countless but valid reasons why Kaye and I never ended together. I almost gave up, knowing she will not fall for me anymore. This was even reinforced when her department moved up to the new office in Alabang. It was then I thought maybe everything’s not just for me and her. But you know, there was something I can’t still figure out why I can never let her go. Was it fate… destiny even… or by the mere belief that Kaye and I may still be possible, no matter how remote it is to happen.

From 2000, things became mellow with my feelings for Kaye. Maybe because I was already seeing a new girl then. I almost ended up marrying her since we have been discussing wedding plans as early as 2001. Pressure was a big factor and that may have been the reason for the delay. However, there was one instance when Kaye invited me and my friend Ara for a special screening of “Oro, Plata, Mata” at GB3. Excitement rushed to my head again. Anxious of seeing her and maybe talking to her again, no matter how held back I was, gave me an unusual high of admiration. Bad ba? I guess so, because my girlfriend was there and I was harboring that weird feeling for Kaye at that instant. Even right after the movie, where we should part ways, I still insisted myself of taking sight of Kaye as she and my friend Ara walked away. I still couldn’t get myself over about that night afterwards. I just felt like there were so many things about Kaye I would still want to discover if given the chance.

In a weird twist of fate, I ended the 4-year relationship with my ex early 2004. I kept mum about the break-up especially from Kaye. Maybe afraid to tell or not ready to share. But secrets do find its way to be revealed. And Kaye found out about it. She knew that me and my ex, as strange as it sounds, were not really meant to be. Funny, but I did agree with her in silence. After a long while, I realized that I should give myself a shot at something far that I’ve been missing… and wanting for a long time… to be with Kaye finally after 9 years of deprivation and many circumstances that were not held back what’s due for me.

And so, when February 2004 came, Kaye’s birhtday month, I knew I have to do something special. She had an event one weekend then, but I waited for her the whole time. Upon going home, I assisted and accompanied her to the bus station, even held her hand (unconsciously! Kunwari ) while crossing the street or just walking. It felt good, actually. But what was more memorable is what transpired when I stayed with her in the bus while it was being filled up. It was almost a slight smack on the side of her lips that showed my real intentions for her. I knew she was also surprised with it but what the hell! I liked it a lot and am hoping she did too.

And, as they say, the rest was history. Never was I so fulfilled when finally Kaye and I became a couple. 2004 was indeed a big turnaround for me, but was so thrilled that the girl I was hoping to end up with a few years ago, now I share the same feelings with. I was hesistant at first (coming from a breakup) but, I guess it’s really about time that I finally give that a rest and move on to the best of what I expect of my life to have – that is to realize a kind of life that involved Kaye.

On January 29, 2005, we tied the knot. Good friends were there. Close relatives and family were present and ecstatic to witness our I Do’s. But for me, it was the day that marked my life with forever with the only girl I ever dreamed of ending up with. Speechless yet jubilant, nervous but convinced, and no matter what the expressions I have felt during the wedding, I knew that I was finally complete, in heart and soul. I finally have her. And never would I let go this time.

And 5 years after, I still feel overjoyed with the whole experience. And I thank God that He never gave up on me for catching up on Kaye through all the hardships and situations. Worth the wait? True. Lucky to finally have her? Not luck but simply rewarding! Kaye has been my dream finally fulfilled. And together with our kids Kara, Jemy and Cassie, there’s nothing in life that I would want more. Of course, maybe just growing old with her and see our kids realize their own dreams too.

Be, thank you for the first 5 years we’ve shared, through all the good times and bad. Here’s to more years ahead for us, and more blessings that we’ll be sharing for each other and for the family.

With all my heart, I LOVE YOU! Happy 5th Anniversary!

I already read the one that my wife Kaye made on her Facebook account and reposted here at her blogsite. So as a challenge, I’ll try to come up with my own. I’ll see if I can come up with one similar to hers. Here goes…

1. I used to cook back home in Manila, as in not just heating water or boiling an egg. But not too major though ‘cuz most of the cooking I did were sautee-based dishes. And the only major dish I cooked with flying colors was my favorite… TINOLA! Now, I couldn’t even remember how to prepare it. Good thing Kaye is such an amazing chef for me and the kids.

2. Who’s not to love kissing all the time? Especially with the kids and of course, with Kaye, it’s one of the best ways I do express my love for them. So i don’t think I would give that up for a million bucks! (teka million bucks? hmmm… heheh just kidding!) btw, did you knowing that kissing helps you lose weight? They say each well-placed (and received) lip lock burns an average of 9 calories. With three kisses a day, every day, that amounts to burning 9,855 calories a year — totaling about 3 pounds of weight loss.

3. I’m not usually a cry-baby. I think the last time I did cry was when Jemy was being inserted with an IV when he was confined for high fever. It’s really different when a loved one is involved. Other things I get to cry about secretly are on movies, especially if it involves something about Dads. Hehehe

4. I thought of also pursuing Medicine right after I graduated from MassComm. I kinda envied my siblings who were both in the medical field — Ate Ayette as an ER doctor, and my late bro Jon as an Occupational Therapist. *sound of a stuck turntable* Wait a minute! MassComm? Medicine? No correlation! (Bakit ba gusto ko e! hahahah!)

5. I use to oil paint back then. Had a stint with National Museum before with their summer art workshop which helped me honed my skills. My last year as an advanced student won me a Gold Medal for the Intramuros waterfalls painting I made. Ironically, that painting was sold to my HS teacher for P500 only. Come to think of it, I still have a pending painting job at home. Just have to find time for it.

6. I am not usually confrontational with situations. But if needed be, especially for my family and those of my loved ones, watch out YOU! You don’t like me when am angry… (sans the green color hehehe!)

7. I have been a copywriter for more than 7 years now. I guess the challenge and the fun of coming up with something witty and creative for whatever product or service there is need to copywrite is something I have enjoyed all these years. Maybe I’ll expound more like into… PR? Hmmm… why not?

8. I used to work with UNICEF, first with Greeting Cards and then into the Private Sector Fund Raising Dept. Such a privilege to be there. Hope I could go back and work there again in the future.

9. I enjoy drinking coffee, usually in the afternoon. That keeps me awake actually. But also, when I drink coffee at that time, that means office dismissal is just an hour way. Yeah!!!

10. The best thing that came also from marrying my Kaye is that I now have a new and permanent duet partner especially with songs that requires one. Hope you can hear her sing beautifully with me. We do make such harmonious music together.

11. I used to have a crush on a couple of celebrities when I was growing up. As in not just crush ha? HD pa if you wanna put it. Locally it was Angelu de Leon (this was pre-Joko days) and foreign, it was Drew Barrymore in her Firestarter and Babes in Toyland movies.

11. I was once a member of the CCP Children’s Choir, which was under the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Foundation. We had couple of concerts at various venues like the CCP, Folk Arts Theatre, PICC and even abroad. Though we couldn’t join the trips abroad because we couldn’t afford the fares during that time.

12. Before I ended up in UP Diliman, I used to study in UP Los Banos as a Chem Eng’g student. I stayed at Men’s Dorm for half the year. The 2nd sem was uwian. Tiring? Nah! It was just a 2-hour trip one-way from Home to UPLB and vice-versa. Besides traffic then was very easy, compared these days.

13. I graduated from Manila Science High School with no honors compared to my siblings. But I was happy still since I finished high school having a good average (don’t know exactly but I know it’s 90+) and the pride of finishing in such recognized special science school.

14. I used to participate in competitive swimming in my hey days. Yup as in the whole shebang — crawl (freestyle), backstroke, breaststroke (my forte) and butterfly. Been in the loop for more than 10 years since Grade 4. Me and my late bro Jon almost made it to the National Team but we opted not to because of our studies.

15. I was turned down by Kaye a couple of times during and after college. But the funny thing, I still couldn’t get rid of her in my thoughts. Parang there’s always something left to be done. And then, after 9 years in the making, finally I had my chance and eventually we became a couple. Afterwards, I made a promise to myself of never ever letting her go forever!

16. I think I’m a good actor. I don’t know if this is true but in my college years, I used to be the “most sought” talent for a TV production in MassComm among other batches (I was still in Theater major in 1993 before I eventually shifted to MassComm).

17. I once came out in a TV series entitled Pira-pirasong Pangarap when I was 8 years old. My mom, who used to play a nun in Flordeluna starring Janice de Belen and was once a member of PETA (the theater group ha!), got the stint for me. I had that first chance to stardom but my acting then was consciously bad (I often look at the camera during takes. ngek!) So that was the end of my budding acting career. Sayang…!

18. I used to collect a couple of stuff back then. From stamps, bracelets, rings, even sugar sachets (which I still collect until now). The only thing I never collected were girls. Hehehe di tlaga! That’s bad. Wait! Does a number of crushes count as collecting girls din? Sana hindi.

19. I’ve seen 3 oblation runs in 3 different UP campuses — Los Banos, Manila and Diliman. Wanted to see sana the one in Baguio, but I don’t know to commute going there back then.

20. I used to be a mallrat prior to finally marrying Kaye. I guess I have a knack to window-shop all the time, or simply walk the corridors of Glorietta or Greenbelt for no reason. Maybe it was a way for me to relax myself after a long day’s work. Sayang I love doing this before with my late bro at the newly renovated Robinsons Manila circa 1998.

21. I was in a rush when finally I had my first front seat view of my son Jemy being taken out from Kaye’s womb. It was so unexplainable to witness such a fine child being born and was later tended by nurses. There were actually slight tears but I guess the excitement stop it from flowing. Ironically, I never had my digicam then so I have to make use of Kaye’s Nokia 6300 for the coverage. Suprisingly, the recording was superb. What’s more weird, though, was that Kaye was very conscious and awake and even had our first pic together with the pogi boy. Good thing the nurse took the pic well, not showing the red-colored bag that was outside Kaye’s abdomen (aka Kaye’s uterus! ngek!)

22. I am truly lucky because Kaye and I share the same faith. And because of that, our bond as husband and wife is always strengthened by the Lord every passing day. No wonder waking up with her everyday is such a blessing!

23. Upon learning about Kara and met her when she was still 5 years old, I’ve been telling my friends before that she was my daughter, or been wanting to be her dad. I even used the pics of Kara which Kaye sent me vial email as my screensaver in my computer. So when I got to finally marry Kaye, I realized not just one dream but two — to be Kaye’s forever and to be Kara’s dad! Sarap ng feeling!

24. I used to compose songs. These were mostly love songs, typically of a Martin/Gary V. type of genre. Sad, inspiring and even with depth. I don’t know how it started I just kept on writing and composing the music for them. I even had one song (composed in just 2 hours) arranged which I sang during my bro’s interment. To date I have around 9 -10 songs. And am still hoping to finish 4 more. I won’t reveal the latest 4 until am done with it. Stay tune!

25. Lastly, same as Kaye’s, I always wish of seeing my brother Jon again, even just for a short while. Maybe he could even meet my wonderful family. I just miss him a lot, not because our closeness was very short-lived, but because being his twin, I long for the part of me that was lost 10 years ago. If God would permit that, then maybe I could tell him “thanks for everything” and embrace him for one last time, just to let him know how much I love him dearly.

So that’s my version! If in case I couldn’t get to write another blog before the year ends, just want to say Happy New Year to everyone and may you be continuously blessed with God’s infinite riches as I have been everyday!

And Be, it’s been a wonderful year! Looking forward for more years with you and the kids! Love you so much!

‘Til then! Ciao!