by: Bryan
Last year, I came across this website that measures up who will be your celebrity look-alike. The website is http://www.myheritage.com. Then, lately, I found out that it has a new feature which now measures who from your parents do you look-alike. Karen and I uploaded our pictures and our parents' to test whose DNA is stronger. Here is the result:
Bryan
Karen
by: Bryan
In Batangas, this Filipino marriage tradition/ritual is better known as “Bulungan”. I am not sure how this tradition originated but as name implies Bulungan comes from word “bulong” or “whisper”. Some say this was originated when the old people in the families of couple, which includes mainly of parents and grandparents meet personally in Bride’s house to plan the wedding. These old folks speak very soft to each other that is why it is called “Bulungan”.
www.weddingsatwork.com defined “Pamamanhikan” as a treasured Filipino heritage which, first and foremost, avoids the embarrassing situation of having the parents see each other as strangers come wedding day.
Since the wedding is already planned as early as January, there is nothing to talk and discuss during our “Pamamanhikan”. The main purpose of the celebration is just to have both party meet personally, mingle with each other and to formally seek our parents’ blessing for the wedding.
Traditionally, it is being held at Bride’s residence. Groom’s family brings food for the celebration. But since Karen’s house in Filinvest, Cainta were already sold; we just reserved a function room at Max’s Restaurant in Glorietta as our venue. We first planned to have it in Oriental Garden Function room but the rental fee was not practical for the said events. We also thought of having it at Cabalens in Glorietta but we think privacy would be an issue in that restaurant so we decided to have a private function room in a restaurant somewhere in Glorietta. I just asked my mother to bring some food for Karen’s Family such as leche plan, “gulaman”, “palairot/palarusdos” o “ginatan bilo bilo”, "sinugno" o “ginatan munggo”, “kalamay na mais”, fried fish such as “samaral” and shrimps. As you notice, most of the foods we brought are “kakanin” or desserts. They are requested by Karen. =) Some of these foods are native to Batangas province. We also brought Indian mango. It seems like these were our Dote/Bigay-kaya o dowry. hehehehe…
It was June 8, 2008, Sunday morning when we left Calatagan. We used Tito Oyette’s car. I was with my Father, Mother, Lola, Nanay (my Lola in mother’s side), Tito Oyette, EJ, Tiya Cora, Ninang Theling, and Tito Boy. We arrived at Makati around 10:30AM. We took rest at our residence in Estrella. Around 11:30AM when we arrived at Max’s Glorietta. Karen and her Mom arrived few minutes later. I introduced my family to them. Few minutes Karen’s Dad arrived also and I introduced him to my family. Karen’s relatives arrived few minutes later. These include her Tita Lita and her husband, Tito Popong with Lola Pilang, Karen’s Lola in mother side. Moments later, Tiyo Rusty and his family also arrived. Tiyo Oyoy and his family also arrived later. Tracy arrived last as she had class that day. All the boys were together in one table while all oldies, including Karen and I, were all together in one table while the rest of my cousins and Aunts were on the other table.
As you can see, we out-numbered Karen’s family. Well, it was expected since I came from a big family. hehehe…=)
We ordered food and ate. It was quite awkward to both parties since this is the first time they meet. My mother was speechless. Karen and I felt awkward as we also didn’t know what to do and how to make the celebration more comfortable to both parties. I asked my mother to sit beside me so that she can talk to Karen’s mom but she was totally speechless. hehehe… unlike the boys, they were totally bonded with each other. Lola Pilang and Lola Tindeng with Nanay and Tiya Cora were also bonded to each other as they were seatmates.
After lunch, I asked Karen’s Dad and my Father to join our table so that we can at least talked. I formally asked Karen’s parents permissions to marry Karen and they said, “OK lang s'min, walang problema.” I remembered Karen’s Dad asked me, “Bakit kamay lang hinihingi mo?” hehehe… I told them that all are already set the wedding including the church and reception, list of “Ninong” and “Ninang” and mga “Abay”. Budget is also being talked in this event but since I felt very awkward, I forgot to mention that Karen and I will be sharing for the budget. Well, maybe, they already knew it. =) As expected, tears fell from my mother’s eye. Mukhang baliktad ata, sa side ko pa yun umiyak.
After that, Karen’s Dad and my Father returned to their table and continue to drink Chivas Regal brought by Tiyo Oyoy. I told you, the boys were totally bonded.
It was past 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon when we left the restaurant. After that, Karen and I went shopping for our dress to be used in our pre-nuptial photography with Bern the following day at La Mesa Ecopark.
Here are some of the pictures of our pamamanhikan:
by: Bryan
Meet the Parents
It was January 2005, when I asked Karen if I can accompany her on her way home to their place in Filinvest, Cainta, instead of just going to BPI to wait for her Mom.
After office, we went to FX terminal along Ayala Avenue, across Philippine and Makati Stock Exchange. After around 30 minutes of travel, we dropped off at Filinvest Estate's entrance gate and rode tricycle. Karen told the tricycle driver, "Kina Reyes po..". Having heard that, I thought, "Wow, sikat! In a very high class / executive subdivision, kilala sila ng mga tao." I even thought, "Baka sa ibang bahay kami dalhin ng driver". =) And we arrived at their house. Their house was not the mansion-like house similar to Pacquiao's mansion in Gen. Santos City. =) It was simple built, white-painted house with three cars: a Mitsubishi-Adventure, a Toyota-Corolla, and an Isuzu pick-up. Astig!
Her Mom opened the gate and greeted us. Since her Mom already met me, Karen didn't introduce me. I sat on their sofa. Karen took a glass of juice; served Starbucks carrot cake and have some chat with her Mom. I was also introduced to her Lola Blanca. Then after a while, her Dad arrived from Church. Karen introduced me to her Dad and had some small conversation about our travel from Makati. It was 10PM when I asked to go home. Karen took me a ride on their car to Estate's entrance gate. I just took jeepney to Cubao, and took bus to Makati.
In late February 2005, Karen invited me to their house again because it was her father's birthday and wedding anniversary as well. I helped them in the preparation of the celebration. They also introduced me to her relatives and parents' friends. It was past 10PM when I told them that I will go home. Her parents told me to just sleep at their house since it was already late at night and might not be safe to travel, given my route will be through Cubao. So I was convinced. Karen prepared her room for me. Obviously, Karen had to sleep with her parents. ;) I stayed in their house until afternoon of the next day, because her parents wanted me to come along with them on their way to Makati and just dropped me off in Kalayaan Avenue instead of traveling alone.
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Meet the Fockers
It was Holy Week of 2005, when I invited Karen to go to my hometown in Batangas. I asked permission from her parents so that she can stay with us during the holy week holidays. And she was permitted to come with me. Instead of commuting to province, her father took us a ride on their new Ford Everest to Batangas in the morning of Maundy Thursday. We arrived at Batangas around 10AM. Her Dad met my parents and had lunch with us in our house. I introduced Karen to my Uncles and Aunties and to my Lola. It was around 2PM when her Dad left for Manila. I took her to Balombato pier using our motorcycle for her to witness the beautiful sunset that afternoon.
Karen stayed in our house until Easter Sunday. She met my relatives both from my father's and mother's side. My family prepared a lot of food even if it was a Lenten season. She slept in my sister's bedroom. She experienced in our home to sleep with "kulambo" and took a bath wherein I fetch water in pale from deep well or "poso". It was Good Friday when Karen and I attended the procession for Jesus Christ's death. I also introduced her to some of my high school friends and barkada. It was Saturday when we went to beach together with my family. We rented a motorized bangka to have a trip across the beaches. In the afternoon, Karen and I went to Real, the rural village where I grew up, so she can meet my mother's relatives and I introduced her to them. My Nanay was very happy to see her. She ate star apple served by my aunties. That Saturday night, we supposed to watch my sister acting as an angel in "Dagit" or "Salubong" but we came late. They were on their way home.
We attended Easter mass in the morning and went back to Manila by afternoon.
Few weeks after, Karen again visited my hometown, when my officemates from Accenture had team building in Calatagan during our town fiesta.
Here are some pictures of Karen's first visit to Calatagan:
In our house.
At Balombato pier.
Visit at Real.
During my team visit at Calatagan.
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