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| US Ambassador Goldberg/US Embassy |
Scene: Two days after USAid Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Asia Gregory Beck visited the earthquake-ravaged areas in Bohol, US Ambassador to the
Philippines Philip Goldberg was in Bohol last Thursday, Dec 12. He mingled with
kids at the Maribojoc Central Elem School.
Goldberg and USAid Philippines
Program Director Gloria Steele gave school kits and teaching materials which
the US government donated to Bohol teachers who lost their kits during the 7.2
magnitude earthquake.
Scene: Christmas season starts with the observance of misa de gallo or simbang gabi on Dec. 16. For nine days ( beginning on December 16
and culminating on December 24), Filipinos wake up in the wee hours of the
morning and brave the cold weather, to attend dawn masses which usually start
at 4 a.m., as an expression of devotion to God. Traditionally, completing the
novena is also supposed to mean that God would grant the devotee’s special wish
or favor.
Scene: “Bohol Sings for Hope” album is now on Soundcloud
featuring the singles Bangon Boholano
and Tugkaran. Full songs and teasers
may now be played/downloaded. Help to raise funds for the rebuilding of Bohol!
For more info visit facebook.com/bangonboholanomusic or soundcloud.com/bangonboholanomusic
and share the music!
Scene: “Where is Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013 Brigitte
Burato now?” asked the roving VRS (codenamed May Asim Pa).
“There was no shadow of her doing her job as Bohol’s ambassador of goodwill especially
during the 7.2 earthquake. I don’t think she’s busy! I hope she can give time
to Bohol while the crown is in her head,” added VRS.
***
Having
met several times during Benjie Oliva’s early days at the Department of
Agriculture (DA), it seemed like the two were only meant to be acquaintances.
But after being forced to work together, where Atty. Joan Jagonos as the DA’s
internal auditor and senior staff and Benjie as the secretary’s regional
engagement officer in charge for the regional
trips and activities, the two eventually warmed up to each other and
fell in love.
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| Mr and Mrs. Benjie Oliva |
What’s
surprising to learn was that Benjie was sending flowers to Joan several
times.
It
was their compatibility that kept the sparks flying.
I
asked Benjie and Joan what was the most beautiful thing about each other inside
and out. Benjie enthused, “She is a gift from God. She is the woman that God
wants me to marry. Working with her feels like the biggest blessing and such a
dream come true.” Joan is grateful for having Benjie by her side. “He is the
most unique gift from God.”
On
December 7, 2013, Benjie tied the knot with Joan at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Taloto District,
in Tagbilaran City, dubbed “wedding of the year.”
The
much-anticipated wedding was attended by politicians and generated incredible
star power.
The
wedding vows were so touching that the well-heeled guests couldn‘t help but
cry.
The
radiant bride walked down the aisle while the groom was singing Ikaw (popularized by Martin Nievera)
accompanied by Major Plus organizer, part of which goes, Ikaw ang bigay ng Maykapal, Tugon sa aking dasal, Upang sa lahat ng
panahon, Bawat pagkakataon, Ang ibigin ko’y ikaw, Ikaw ang tanglaw sa ‘king
mundo, Kabiyak nitong puso ko, Wala ni kahati mang saglit, Na sa iyo’y may
papalit, Ngayo’t kailanma’y ikaw...
 |
| The principal sponsors |
Recounted
Mrs. Lea Fabia, owner of the Philippine Nautical Training Colleges, who was
among the teary-eyed guests, “I was touched and teary-eyed when I heard Benjie
sang the song Ikaw. I couldn’t help sharing their joys. The overflowing
happiness etched on their faces was infectious.”
The
groom lovingly looked at his bride, as he said, “I take you to be my wife, my
partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love
you today, tomorrow, and forever...” and Joan, her eyes fixed on her brand-new
husband, answered, “I take you to be my husband, my partner in life and my one
true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and
forever...”
Anyway,
Atty. Ethel Lungay-Reyes, daughter of former Catigbian Mayor and Senior Board
Member
Arnold
Lungay and one of the secondary sponsors of the wedding, says it all:
The first time I saw on
Facebook that Benjie Oliva, a very good friend of mine, was saying words of
love, I know it was something more than just an ordinary love story. When I heard about their story, there was
nothing extraordinary either. Both
Benjie and Atty. Joan are connected with the Department of Agriculture, they
were introduced by their bosses and they became friends. Benjie was smitten by
Joan and he never let her out of his sight.
It didn’t take too long and Benjie finally proposed marriage.
For weeks the couple were very busy in the preparation of
their big wedding. I described it as a
Big wedding not only because of the number of the whole entourage but most of
all because of the members of the entourage with no less than Senator Paolo
Benigno “Bam” Aquino, Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala,
Governor Edgar Chatto, Vice Governor Concepcion Lim, Representatives Rene
Relampagos, Arthur Yap and Erico Aristotle Aumentado, board members, mayors, undersecretary
and directors of the Department of Agriculture and family friends.
The simple love story
became extraordinary when the 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook the province of
Bohol four days before their chosen church wedding date, October 19, 2013 at
the Our Lady of
Assumption Parish church, Dauis, Bohol.
The couple decided to move the wedding date and instead
motivated everybody to stand on its feet and help the victims. The earthquake did not shake their love for
each other. It nourished their
relationship even more while they roamed around town after town, barangay after
barangay to distribute the relief goods to the victims.
The church wedding of Benjie and Joan was finally held
last December 7, 2013 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Taloto District,
Tagbilaran City at 2 pm.
The groom, Benjie, wore a dark suit and the bride, Joan,
was very radiant in her white long gown.
The whole entourage was very colorful in red.
The wedding turned out to be a very intimate affair. The groom sang “Ikaw” while the bride walked
down the isle. The Mass was officiated
by Most Rev. Leopoldo S. Tumulak, formerly Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran
and co-offciated by Rev. Fr. Avelino S. Vale, Rev. Fr. Vengie D. Laguros, Rev.
Fr. Leonel Grado and Rev. Fr. Alger Angcla.
The songs of Major Plus filled the church with music
during the wedding ceremony. It was followed by heartwarming songs chosen by
the groom and the bride sang by Mr. Jerome Sala during the pictorial.
The reception followed at the Panglao Island Nature
Resort, Panglao, Bohol. The bride and
the groom as well as all the guests made the party very warm as they stayed and
gamely stayed and participated in the program.
The program was made very lively by the energetic host
Miss Gloria Araneta and the Center Stage band.
The first part of the program was capped by a very
breathtaking fireworks display. Those who stayed were treated to an all night
party with the couple having a fabulous night.
Indeed this is a well loved couple and it was shown by the
very successful wedding. The earthquake shook them but their love for each
other firmly stood ground. And now it
can be told, their love for each other conquered all.
***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered.
Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter
/Facebook.
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