Dec 26 – We visited Inday Phebe and Tito Roming at the Union’s guesthouse where they arrived earlier from Seattle.

Dec 28 – Around 10am, Jimer and I went to Pier 15 to meet with Tiyo’y Jesher and Manang Fe. In the afternoon, Samuel went to the airport to meet Manong Eman and his family. They all stayed for the night at our humble house and we were able to fit a total of 12 people inside!

Dec 29 – After last minute change of arrangement, it was agreed that we will meet with Manong Jun at NPUM around 9AM. So we all get ready early in the morning and took 3 cabs to fit us all, going to NPUM. When Manong Jun arrived, it was clear that we cannot fit in his Starex if we include our baggages. It was decided that Manong Eman and his family with Jeremy will stay and wait for Manong Leslie while the rest of us went ahead, destination SSD. Here are our pictures at NPUM.

I admit, I was looking forward in visiting SSD since I haven’t been inside the place. My impression, typical Adventist environment, but more spacious and more greenery (if there’s such a word). We went to one of the guest houses and immediately after leaving the van, the kids excitedly went to the mini playground.

When we went inside, new faces showed up: Alex, Manang Sharon and Tiyay, Dawn (whom I have seen for the first time), Manang Gina and her family who arrived the night before, Manang Sheilah’s sons and Inday since Tito Roming was out as well as Manang Sheilah and ‘Nong Nilo. After the SOP greetings and settled in, we had a quick lunch then made arrangement going to Silang. Since Alex will be having his “pamanhikan” in the afternoon also, our family ride along with them. So once were at Putingkahoy, Alex with the seniors (Tiyay, Inday, Nanay) and juniors (Manongs Nilo and Harry) proceeded to Ascel’s place and we were dropped off at Uncle’s place since Samuel and his family were already there waiting. We stayed for sometime at Uncle’s place until we got ready to go to AUP for the final rehearsal.  While waiting, we indulge ourselves with boiled corn for our merienda.

Since Lola Unsay’s (Pasig SDA Church matriarch) house is along the way, we decided to pay her a visit. But as we got near her place, we met Pastor Koch and Che as they are getting ready to go somewhere. They volunteered to drive us to Finster chapel since its a long walk from that place. And upon arrival, Pastor Koch gave each of our children P100 as their belated “pamasko.” We couldn’t be more lucky that day.

At the Finster, we found out that we were really very early since only Manongs Nilo and Harry were there (straight from pamanhikan). After sometime, participants started to arrived as well as other relatives also. The rehearsal finished around 9pm and we realized that our stomachs are growling because we haven’t eaten dinner yet. Uncle Jethro was kind enough to drop us off at Uncle Em’s place.

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Upon arrival, we went straight to the dining table because we’re all famished then got ready for a good night’s sleep.

Dec 30 – the W day. We got up around 6am, with breakfast already waiting c/o our ever accommodating host, Noel, who was up before the sun shone on the horizon. After breakfast, I’ve decided to wash the clothes we wore yesterday because we still don’t know when we will be going home, so its better to have clean clothes ready. Around 11am, we started to get ready for the wedding since our call time is 2:30pm. Nancy have to do make up all five of us. Everyone is busy preparing themselves, however, Len-len is not yet sure if she’ll be able to make it to the wedding since she still has a high temperature since the day before. Then on the last minute, it was decided to let her visit the clinic to make sure that she’ll be alright, so Karen then will take her place as one of the bridesmaid. It’s just luck that they almost have the same body size to fit the gown as well.

We hurriedly went to the venue, and found that almost everybody is present already. After some final instructions, Manangs Sheilah and Gina, the ceremony coordinators, signaled for the start of the wedding, exactly 3pm. The wedding went on smoothly, and generally, almost perfect as rehearsed. I was not able to take pictures earlier because I left the camera in my bag that when I remember to use it, the ceremony is almost nearing the end.

Ascel’s Tita Miriam who was the reception coordinator, left me with more instructions since she will be heading off to the reception to prepare the area in advance. So after the wedding, I have to make sure that I remember her instructions that’s why we were one of those few who left the Finster Chapel last. Upon arrival at the reception, everyone is almost seated, saved from the entourage since they will be acknowledged upon entrance. I seated myself at our designated table before the program starts. During the reception program, we tried to took as much pictures as we can of our relatives since this is just once in a lifetime opportunity to have them all here in one place.  But after the program, the fun begins.  We literally owned the stage and the newly weds presence, by taking pictures in every given opportunity.  We were such a big family that we couldn’t fit the camera in one sitting!
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Upon leaving the reception, we stopped by AUP’s clinic to visit Len-len who was confined early that day due to her high fever. At Uncle Em’s place, as we are preparing for bed, we heard the doorbell rang and Uncle Job’s voice echoed downstairs. Samuel told us that they were inviting us at Manong Leslie’s place to spend the night there. Nanay chose to stay behind since she’s too tired to travel while the rest of us packed our things headed for Silang. We were able to see at last the home of Manong Leslie, and it was large, for our standard. They were very accommodating and was able to make last minute arrangements for our stay.

Dec 31 – We woke up early and told the girls to take a bath already because we don’t know what will our activities for the day. So its better that they’re already finished with this task immediately. Then we heard Manong Leslie’s van and saw Manong Eman, Manangs Rejean and Sharon alighting the van. They were having their early morning stroll around the SSD compound and were met be Manong Leslie along the way, so he invited them to visit his home also. We worshipped together but before that, we had a sort of getting-to-know-you session since Jo was not familiar with all of us yet especially those from Negros.

After breakfast, they went to Manong Jun’s house to visit also. After sometime, we all got in the van to go to SSD. It’s been very cold in SSD not to mention experiencing a light drizzle of rain every now and then. When we reached the guesthouse, the kids immediately went to the mini playground while the rest of us went inside the house. We were served with some more food but I declined since I am still full from our heavy breakfast earlier. Since the weather is not suitable for a picnic at the Picnic Grove as originally planned, we’ll just have a pizza instead. So the Manongs went out to get the pizza. The relatives then come by batches. Uncle Asher and family brought some more food then the folks from Muzon, riding with Uncle Jethro arrived. Then the house were almost filled in every corner. With kids running here and there, others were interested on the one-on-one showdown of videogame with Naruto, chocolates being served every now and then, folks chatting and spontaneous laughter filled the room.

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Then the pizzas arrived! As in P I Z Z A S! There were at least 30 boxes of them piled up on the table, all waiting to be eaten.  No need for second bidding, we immediately start consuming them to our heart’s content.  But it seems that we all have a bad syndrome of pizza overload, because after sometime, there’s still more pizza still waiting to be eaten but we cannot do it anymore.  I myself would not want to see another pizza for the meantime and the kids were of no help at all in defeating those slices.

Since its already mid-afternoon, Samuel’s and my family bid our goodbyes to everyone at the house. Samuel and his family have to go to Tiaong to catch-up with Nancy’s family new year reunion. And for our family, this would be our first new year at our house and we wouldn’t want to have it lonely and uninhibited. Manong Leslie and Uncle Job were kind enough to drop us off in front of AIIAS for our bus to Manila. It was a very memorable and happy experience for everyone. And I’m totally glad that Alex and Ascel had this wedding, or we would not be able to see each other once again. The next question now would be: When will be the next gathering? We’re looking forward to it in the very near future.