When I was younger, weddings always fascinated me-- the colorful extravaganza, the parade of not-for-everyday-use refined set of garb, the unfolding of tales of love, the happy-ever-after illusion, the dashing bride; they all seemed like magic to me until I became aware that there is such thing as annulment of marriage; that's when the chariot taking prince and princess to a sunset of endless orgasm suddenly breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Hah! Nevertheless, my fascination with the on-the-day magical scene never goes away.
Filipino weddings are usually a big event. There is a Pinoy saying that kapag ikaw ay magpapakasal sa isang tao, buong pamilya niya ay pakakasalan mo rin ( When you marry someone, you marry the entire family as well). Besides funerals, it serves as a form of reunion for family and friends. True. Only when one dies and one ties the knot that family and friends working or residing outside the family domicile come home to take part of the ceremony. What do these two have in common? Rebirth. I hear someone said agony. Or was it me? Hah! Kidding aside, the association of weddings with family-ness is part of the culture of the Filipino collective society. We have this constant longing for togetherness. We like tapok-tapok (gatherings). Human connection and interaction are two of the elements that make up the core of Filipino culture and tradition.
Filipino weddings are usually a big event. There is a Pinoy saying that kapag ikaw ay magpapakasal sa isang tao, buong pamilya niya ay pakakasalan mo rin ( When you marry someone, you marry the entire family as well). Besides funerals, it serves as a form of reunion for family and friends. True. Only when one dies and one ties the knot that family and friends working or residing outside the family domicile come home to take part of the ceremony. What do these two have in common? Rebirth. I hear someone said agony. Or was it me? Hah! Kidding aside, the association of weddings with family-ness is part of the culture of the Filipino collective society. We have this constant longing for togetherness. We like tapok-tapok (gatherings). Human connection and interaction are two of the elements that make up the core of Filipino culture and tradition.
Now that I am, well, nearing thirty and I am assuming secondary sponsorships, not to mention emceeing and welcoming stints, in weddings, I see it as a stressful event. Hah! I am joking again. But seriously, who wouldn't get stressed out in a six-inch heels and eye shadows and red lipstick and and a floor-length apparel and intricately styled hair? On the other hand, the bride's rapturous delight in the preparation for the big event is contagious. I can't help but smile. Since ours is a conservative society, weddings are to be taken by heart; it's more than just a piece of paper for the contracting parties and their families, or so I hope. I expect with confidence that it stays the same in the coming years albeit the introduction of absolute divorce in the legislative body. Or, whatever!
The thing I love the most about weddings is the return of the balikbayans (literally to come back home, though referring to people). It is a known fact that, due to massive unemployment[sic], Filipinos look for better opportunities abroad. The pre- and post-gatherings of the wedding season draw on togetherness to make up for those days of distant longing. It's when the real party begins.
Thoughts to ponder: In order not to shift mood from June in bloom to June in fume on my part, below is the list I have for my own wedding:
Venue- La Provence. Macau. Jeju. Bohol. Any of the four venues, subject to monetary consideration.
Number of Guests- 50.
Particulars- Destination wedding. No bulky, expensive wedding gown. No onsite video. No pore clogging make-up. Unkempt hair down. Good food, Filipino cuisine is a must. Flamenco guitar or string quartet must play in the background. No funfair.
In my thoughts, the real magic is in your heart and the real marriage starts after the bill is handed to you. My twisted thoughts again. What do you say, punk? :p
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