The Pamamanhikan

The Pamamanhikan or the Filipino tradition in which the groom's parents and family would visit the bride's parents to formally and respectfully seek their approval to have the bride join their son in marriage, happened on Mother's Day. Although I was open to the option of meeting at a restaurant somewhere, my Mama insisted that it should be in Novaliches. She was the one who also took the initiative and told my Papa about the planned visit and together with Ate Tina, cleaned the house and the garden area so the place  would look presentable. I am blessed to have such a supportive and understanding Nanay.

JP came in with Tita Annie and Tito Froilan, bringing merienda for everyone. It was already around 4:30pm and I was really hungry by then... In anticipation, I forgot to have lunch that day and busied myself with my "home improvement" ideas. I was busy changing pillow cases, table covers while praying silently that God would supersede our preparations and bless us. 

I have to mention also and thank my dad. Before JP and his parents came in, I asked my Papa if he approves. He was watching a boxing match on TV when I asked, "Payag ka, Papa?" Without smiling or looking at me, he said, "Oo". I asked again and in a slightly different tone he again said, "Oo." But this time he also added, "Basta wag ka nya lolokohin." It was not easy for my Papa to express how he feels, I knew he was both glad and at the same time worried for me. It was okay. I knew it was because he wanted the best for me. 

Here are some photos taken that day:

...i love this centerpiece which JP chose from SM Home world the night before...

...i took out the photo albums so that we have something to look at in case it gets boring... 

...a reminder that Christ is a silent listener to what will be said during the pamamanhikan... 

...we greeted my Mama and Tita Annie a happy mother's day also...

...our merienda which JP's family brought consisted of palabok, lechon, pich-pichi, puto & chocolate cake which is not shown here. he also brought suman especially for me!...

 ...JP took this photo of me before he went inside...

...my Mama and Papa singing a duet. thank God the videoke which we seldom use worked! everyone took their turn in singing. the first one to sing was Mama to the tune of "Top of the World" which is her all-time favorite... nakakatawa because the rain started to pour down heavily in the middle of her song! the videoke session really made the day so much more fun and special. we tried to beat each other's score but in the end, my Kuya got the highest! He sang his all-time favorite also, which is "Bluer than Blue"... 

...Tito Froilan going through the list of songs and Tita Annie watching and listening along. i think my dad was the one holding the microphone when i took this photo...

...kuya joined also to show his support...

...JP and me, just really happy our parents have finally met and gave us their blessings...

During our videoke session, I could not help but take videos. It is very rare for me to see my parents sing & dance together. I am grateful for the chance to capture this video of them singing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love".

JP and I tried our best to make the day special and memorable and although the pamamanhikan was not perfect, there were delays and some awkwardness at the beginning and towards the ending (because we had to prepare for the e-session the following day), we were really thankful that our parents were so supportive. They asked us more than once, "How else can we help you?" I guess they knew it's not at all easy to plan a wedding, having planned a wedding themselves in the past.

I told them we need help in finalizing the entourage and guests list, in the fitting of the dresses and in praying for good weather on the wedding day and in getting good and trustworthy suppliers. I asked them also to pray for JP and me, that our relationship would go stronger & communication would not suffer because I am currently on night shift and our usual routine is changing.

Things would hopefully get better and easier from here on. This time, our entire families are behind us, praying for us and offering to help us, even financially if needed. 

In all of this, I give PRAISES back to God who makes ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME :)