What's in a name?

Last week Kelvin took me to the gym and he signed me up as his guest. As a guest I had to write down my name in the log sheet. I wrote down my first name, and then last name. I guess out of habit, I started writing the letter V, and was about to spell out the rest of my maiden name when I stopped abruptly and saw Kelvin looking at the log sheet, smiling. Oops! I guess I forgot I have a new name now. Teehee!

Recently some friends have asked me if I have legally changed my name or when I am going to change my Facebook name from “Elliane Varias” to “Elliane Tan”. As I sit down in front of my laptop about to change my name, I didn’t realize how difficult it would be for me to change my name – even just on Facebook.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my new last name. My name is a symbol of me being married to my incredible Kelvin; that I am his forever, and that we’re building our family as one, forever. I just love it. I dreamed of marrying him and taking his name. Even before we were married in our first few years together, I would imagine using his name.

I guess what I’m saying is because the name “Elliane Laminero Varias” has been my name for the past thirty years, it is pretty difficult to let go. I guess the thought of relinquishing my name would profoundly affect how I think about my own identity.

I never realized how important my name was to me until now. You see, my name has a lot of history in it. Lamineros originated from the Visayas, specifically from Romblon, and Iloilo. My grandfather travelled to Lipa, Batangas to become a soldier, where he met my grandmother. My granddad was considered one of the brightest in the Philippine Air Force during his time. My mother is an intelligent woman, who bested her peers when she was young. She wanted to be a nurse but had to let go of her dream after her father’s demise when she was twelve. The Lamaneros in Iloilo are of great mind and educators, with a lot of my relatives being teachers and educators, including me, who happens to be a trainer.

The Varias is also a known name especially in Alfonso, Cavite. Growing up I was surprised that a lot – and I mean A LOT of people were named Varias in Alfonso. Even the mayor is a Varias – Mayor Virgilio Varias, my father’s distant cousin and also the Principal Sponsor at our wedding. You will also find the word Varias in Pedro Paterno’s book called “Sampaguitas y otras poesías varias” – the first book of poetry published by a Filipino in Europe; it means plenty or multiple. 

My father was awarded as the rifle sharpshooter when he was still active in the Philippine Air Force, and received numerous awards in the Intelligence Division of the PAF.

I have always taken pride in the fact that I am a Laminero-Varias. My name links me to my family, and my relatives, and my history as a person. My name is my identity, and it defines me as a person. All of my achievements and accomplishments in the last thirty years have been tagged to my name. No, I am not famous. I just take pride in my name.

But today I have decided to fully take my husband’s name. Because that is who I am now. I belong to him. I am my husband’s wife, and the mother of our future children. My husband and I are now one, therefore I choose to take his name. I choose to honor him and our family. My name may help define who I am, but I am still me even with a new name. My heritage and my history still stand. I am still my parents' daughter, and I am still a product of my history.

Our name is what binds us as a family; it is what makes us one. Like what the Bible says in Matthew 19:2-9: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh."

I am Elliane Tan.

________________________________

Hit me up!

Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias

Dahil sa Call Center

Apparently there's a post of Facebook that has gone viral. This is about a young man named Erickson Ignacio Marcos, who was immensely insulted when he was offered a data analyst job in a call center company. He claims that his level of education (5-year bachelor degree) is too good for a call center job; and that the offer is an insult to his education and profession.

When I first read the post, I was so furious I had tears in my eyes. You see, I have been working in the call center for years and I have tons of friends who also have been in the industry for as long as I have, and some even longer. But instead of swearing at him and hunting him down and skinning him alive, (which I still want to do) I've decided to write him a letter. At dahil buwan ng wika, pahintulutan nyo akong magsulat sa Filipino.

Dear Mr. Marcos,

My name is Elliane L. Varias-Tan. I am a registered nurse, and a bronze medalist from Far Eastern University Institute of Nursing. I also have been working in the call center for years.

Maitanong ko lang. Anong masama sa pagta-trabaho sa call center? Mababang uri ba ito ng trabaho?

Dahil hindi ko alam ang istorya mo, hayaan mong ipakilala ko sa iyo ang sarili ko.

Nagumpisa akong bilang call center agent nung July 24, 2006, anim na araw matapos kong malaman na pumasa ako sa board exam. Bakit call center? Dahil galing ako sa batch 2006, may issue noon tungkol sa leakage at walang ospital na gustong tumanggap sa akin. Dahil gusto kong makatulong sa Mama at Daddy ko, nag-apply ako sa call center. Natanggap din ako ng araw na iyon at nagtrain ako kung pano kumausap sa mga Amerikano, nag saulo ako ng mga codes, laws, policies, spiels, produkto, at kung ano ano pa. Nag ensayo kung pano gumamit ng Avaya phone, magtransfer ng call, mag hold, at sumalag ng lahat ng klase ng mura at panlalait. Dahil Amerikano ang mga customers ko, kailangang sa gabi ako magtrabaho. Naranasan mo na bang magtrabaho buong gabi, Mr. Marcos? Yung pakiramdam na antok na antok ka na, hilong hilo ka na sa antok, pero kailangan mo pa ring sumagot ng tawag ng mga customers na walang ginawa kundi magtanong, mag utos, awayin at murahin ka tungkol sa kanilang account? Buong gabi wala akong ginawa kundi kumausap at tumulong sa mga taong nagbibigay ng negosyo sa kumpanyang pinapasukan ko. Lahat ng kamag anak at kaibigan ko, himbing na himbing sa pagtulog, pero ako nag sasaulo pa rin, kausap ang QA, TL, managers, at kung sino sino pa. Ginawa ko yon ng mahigit na isang taon, Mr. Marcos.

Simula 2008 hanggang kasalukuyan, unti unti na akong napromote; mula English Skills Trainer, naging Voice and Accent Trainer, Senior Trainer, at Assistant Training Manager. Natutunan ko kung paano mag turo sa mga ahente, supervisors, quality analysts, manager, senior manager, at associate vice presidents. At dahil nasa iba't ibang lugar ang mga accounts ng kumpanya, nagturo ako sa iba't ibang lugar sa iba't ibang shift. Mr. Marcos, naranasan mo na bang mag trabaho sa iba't ibang oras? Lunes at Martes umaga ang shift mo sa Makati, tapos Miyerkules hanggang Byernes sa gabi naman ang trabaho mo sa Ortigas o Mandaluyong? Naranasan mo na bang sumakay ng jeep, bus, at tricycle, taxi, Uber, at eroplano araw araw papuntang Makati, Mandaluyong, Ortigas, Quezon City, Marikina, Taguig, Pasay, Nueva Ecija, at Cebu? Naranasan mo na bang makatulog sa loob ng bus, at pagkagising mo, sa sobrang disoriented mo, hindi mo na alam kung papasok ka pa lang o pauwi ka na? Naranasan ko yon, Mr. Marcos. At hanggang ngayon nararanasan ko pa din yon.

Mahirap ang napili kong trabaho, Mr. Marcos. Napakahirap. 

Pero...

Dahil sa propesyong ito, lumawak ang aking kaalaman at karanasan mula sa pagkakakilala sa mga atleta, doktor, MD at PhD, nars, engineer, artists, wrestler, arkitekto, inhinyero, dentista, pharmacist, aktor, yoga instructors, guro, abugado, mga may master's degree, mga COO, may ari ng kani-kanilang negosyo, mga hindi nakatapos ngunit mga nasa matataas ng posisyon sa kanilang mga kumpanya. 

Dahil sa call center na ito, maraming akong nakilalang ina, ama, anak, kapatid, pinsan, kaaway at kaibigan. 

Dahil sa call center na ito, nakilala ko ang asawa ko.

Dahil sa call center na ito, nakaipon ako ng pera at nakasakay ng eroplano para makapunta sa Albay at Cebu at nakilala ang iba't ibang tao. Mga lugar na dati'y nakikita ko lamang sa pahina ng aklat ko sa eskwela. 

Nang dahil sa propesyong ito nakapagturo ako sa iba't ibang unibersidad at lugar sa Luzon tulad ng UP, Ateneo, De La Salle Lipa, Asia Pacific College, Philippine National Police, at iba pa.

Nang dahil sa call center na ito, nakabili ako ng bahay para sa magulang ko. Isang 3-bedroom bungalow na nakatayo sa isang 440sqm na lote sa Batangas; isang lugar kung saan makikita mo ang Taal Lake pati na ang mga ilaw ng Tagaytay pag dating ng gabi. Isang lugar kung saan makakalanghap ka ng malinis ang hangin at makakarinig ng mga huni ng iba't ibang ibon.

Nang dahil sa call center na ito, nakakabili ako ng mga furniture, appliance, damit, gadget, at kahit ano pang gustuhin ko, ng asawa, at ng magulang ko.

Nang dahil sa call center na ito, nabuhay ko ang pamilya ko, natulungan ko ang magulang ko na pag-aralin si Kuya ng Nursing, natulungan kong pag-aralin ang pamangkin ko, at nakatulong ako makapunta at makapagtrabaho si Ate sa Dubai.

Nang dahil sa call center na ito naibibili ko ng kahit anong naisin nila ang magulang ko; napagbakasyon ko sila sa Baguio ng isang linggo, naibibili ko ng designer bags ang Mama ko, at mga relo ang Daddy ko. Dahil sa trabahong ito, naipapasyal ko ang magulang ko at naidadala kung saan nila gusto, at nakakabili ng maintenance na gamot nila.

At tandaan mo, ito ay aking kwento lamang. Alam mo bang mahigit isang milyon na ang nagta-trabaho sa call center?

Ngayon, matanong nga ulit kita. Anong masama sa pagta-trabaho sa call center? Mababang uri ba ito ng trabaho?

___________________________________

Hit me up!

Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias

Charlotte's Story

A couple of weeks ago, I caught up with my friend, Charlotte, who I have not seen in about two months. As we were catching each other up on the events of our lives since we last saw each other, she casually mentioned she was dating. I was surprised with the news because I thought that she was still with her boyfriend Vince, who she had been dating for three years. I asked her why they broke up and she was initially reluctant to tell me, saying there were irreconcilable differences and then she would laugh the issue off, as if her story was unimportant.  But after a few nosy questions from me, Charlotte eventfully told me that she broke up with Vince because he was using drugs and was physically abusing her.

I was stunned. I couldn’t believe it. Charlotte is a strong, confident woman; and the thought of her being manhandled and hurt by another person was pretty hard to process.

When she first found out he was using drugs, she broke things off with him. But of course Vince wouldn’t let her go; he apologized, begged, and pleaded for her to give him another chance. He promised he would never used again and even swore to take drug tests regularly.  Charlotte relented; she loved him. She figured her love was enough to make him stop using and stop hurting her. Maybe he did it because he was just under the influence of drugs; when he’s better or not stoned he wouldn’t do it again. Maybe he had learned his lesson and would change. So Charlotte forgave Vince, took him back, and gave him another chance.

But of course he didn’t change. He started using again, and she found out about it again, and the abuse soon followed. She couldn’t take it anymore.

She went on to tell me what happened; how she found out that Vince was using cocaine, and how Vince twisted her ear, or grabbed her forcefully by the arm, and how he humiliated her in public in one of their fights. My heart broke when she told me how he dragged her by the arm to the car and forcefully shoved her inside. The thing is, some people saw everything and not a single one of them did anything to stop him or to help Charlotte. She was too shocked to react, or do anything. All she could do was cry hysterically inside the confines of the car. Vince was so mad at her sobbing he pushed his forearm across her neck and pushed her onto her seat. Charlotte could do nothing but cry.

She prayed and prayed for herself and for Vince.

And then one day she woke up – literally and figuratively. She realized the abuse could not go on anymore; and that she didn’t feel anything for him anymore. She finally ended things between them – for the last time. It has been some months now but the guy is still trying to woo her to get her to get back with him. Apparently the guy still goes to her home and is still in contact with her family and relatives. They dated for about three years before the breakup and the guy eventually became close to her family and was treated like family. I was confused, why were her relatives still hanging out with that jerk after everything that he has done to her?!

That’s because no one in her family knows what really happened. When asked, she tells them things didn’t work out. And that was it. She didn’t tell them of the abuse because she didn’t want even more trouble. She just got out of one and didn’t want to jump into a new one. She knew the scandal this could cause to her family and his. Right now, she’s just too happy to be free of him and the abuse.

But Charlotte’s family has been conniving with Vince. They were plotting ways on how he and Charlotte can go out and be together. There was even one night when Charlotte was invited by her cousins for a movie date. But Charlotte knew something was up and decided not to go. True enough, her cousins and Vince were planning a mini reunion, in the hopes that they’ll patch thing up and get back together. Charlotte’s cousins also won’t stop asking her as to why she dumped him, or was he just another boy that Charlotte got tired of, as she did with her ex boyfriends. It has eventually come down to Charlotte’s family blaming her for the breakup.

But she just couldn’t tell them. Not yet anyway.

And this upset me to no end. I can’t stop thinking about her and her story. I couldn’t sleep. I tried to convince her to tell her parents. Right now I’m thinking maybe I came in too strong. But this is something I feel strongly about. Charlotte should at least tell her family. In her silence, she is letting the abuse continue; she is allowing Vince to manipulate her family, as he did her. What he did to her was a crime and he should pay for his crime. In keeping her silence, Charlotte lets Vince get away with his offenses. In her silence, Vince’s next girlfriend could be his next victim. In her silence, she is letting the abuse continue, and she will never be able to move on from what happened between her and Vince –  no matter how good she feels about herself now. Her silence puts a lid on what happened, making it seem as if it never happened. But it doesn’t take away the fact that she is a victim of abuse. The bruises may have faded but the emotional trauma those bruises have caused will last for years.

I tried to convince her. She knows she has to tell her family, and soon. But not right now. Right now she’s waiting for the storm to calm down. She’s waiting for the time when she’s ready to tell her family what really happened. But not right now.

I hope she tells her family soon. Very soon. So that she will no longer become his victim. I hope she speaks up soon.

Because I never did. I was abused ten years ago, and I've never said a word to anyone about it.

-Anonymous

#KelandLeng2015

__________________________________

Hit me up!

Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias

The Lovely Ladies and the Dashing Gentlemen

Now it's time for you to meet the dashing and lovely members of our entourage!


First up is one of our best men and Kelvin's younger brother, Keith. He was so amazing during our wedding he basically helped us organize the whole thing! Our coordinators were late for almost two hours and Keith helped us deal with and hand the payments to the florist, the choir, the other members, of the entourage - he even helped us collect payments for the make up artist! We had him running around the venue, the church, and entertain some of our guests. Man, if it weren't for him Kelvin and I would have gone crazy!

Pampanga Family trip 2010

Next up is Kelvin's other best man and best buddy, Jo Santos. He and Kelvin have been friends since high school in Don Bosco Makati. He has also been a part of Kelvin's and my love story, being Kelvin's decoy on our first monthsarry almost nine years ago. Being Kelvin's best friend, he has always been the first guy to know everything that happens to Kelvin and me. All our fights, successes, life events, everything! Jo was soo amazing during our wedding and he truly is one of the best as he picked up my best friends and took them to the resort. He also helped me surprise Kelvin with his wedding gift! He helped me buy the shoes and gave it to him during the wedding preps! Jo himself is getting married to his fiancee, Em, next year. And guess what? Kelvin is his best man too!

Albay trip August 2013

Albay trip August 2013

We move on to my one and only sister, and my Maid of Honor, Angelie Varias. Unlike the other maids of honor, Ate Ye was not active in my wedding preparations, mainly because she has been working in Dubai. When she came home for a month last year, she, along with the whole family, helped Kelvin and me look for a reception venue. But even if Ate wasn't physically present during the wedding preparations, she made up for her absence by frequent phone calls, and paying for my wedding gown and her own dress too. I will be forever grateful to my sister for giving me my dream gown.

2012

2014 Family Trip

Now it's time for the Secondary Sponsors!

Our candle sponsors are my cousin Adah (Daniela Evangelista) and our good friend Louie Tejada. Adah also was a big help in our wedding preparations as she made the origami flowers for the reception. I was just flabbergasted with how artistic and creative she is. And she also sang during the wedding dinner!

Louie, just like Jo, is also a member of our barkada, and has been friends with Kelvin since Don Bosco days. Just like Jo, Louie is also one of the guys who I feel the closest to. I remember years ago when Kelvin and I were still dating and he was single, he would accompany Kelvin when Kelvin would pick me up from work or whenever we go anywhere. 

Club Je 2009

Batangas 2010

Next are the veil sponsors, my cousin Ish (Patricia Navarro), and another good buddy Janno Rivera, who here is represented by my brother, as Janno got to the church a bit late. 

Ish is one of my coolest cousins who also helped me out a lot during the wedding preparations and the actual wedding. Ish assisted her sister Pauline during the pre-wedding interview video shoot, helped Adah with the origami, and she also sang during the wedding reception! Talk about a Jill-of-all trades!

Janno, another good buddy, was also our consultant during the wedding planning, as he is also into events. Just like Jo and Louie, these men have been friends since highschool. Janno has always been like a brother to me, he's a friend who has always been there for me and Kelvin, and a guy who is always available for a good ol' chat.

Side Note: I'd also like to thank my brother, Mel Francis Varias, for all his help during the wedding preparations, and for helping me lose those stubborn pounds through our rigorous badminton sessions. Thanks. Kuya!

The third pair is our Cord Sponsors, my cousin Angel Guno, and another good buddy, Alvin Lachica.

Angel is one of my sweetest cousins at sya pinakalaging kinikilig pag nakita kami ni Kelvin! Hahahaha! Among all of the members of our entourage, she is the one I am most protective of. Why? Because she's the youngest of the bunch at twelve years old! Di halata no? Aww! She's gotten so big she really is a young lady na!

Alvin, just like the previous guys (as most of the male members of the entourage), is also part of the barkada. He and Kelvin go a long way, with them being taekwondo and basketball buddies ever since high school. 

Playing Dota at Arena 2009

Now let's talk about the bridesmaids and groomsmen!

First, are my best friend Isha Santos, and Kelvin's childhood friend, Philip Co. Isha has been my best friend since high school and the mother of my first ever god child, Lawrence. Philip, has been Kelvin's friend since he was a little boy in their house in Paco. He spoils Kelvin big time and he's Kelvin's soulmate when it comes to food trips and computer games.

Second, we have my best friend Sesha Antonio, and Kelvin's friend, JP Tadeo. Sesha has been my best friend since I was ten, and whenever we get together, we always talk about our fight in the prayer room, and the time we walked from school to Taft Avenue, talking and wondering why boys didn't like us. Haha! JP used to be Kelvin's colleague and mentee in Fujitsu, and they've become good buddies in the office and outside the office due to their mutual love for basketball.

Third, we have my third best friend Razel, and Kelvin's friend and JP's brother, Oliver Tadeo. Just like Sesha, Razel and I have been best friends for about twenty years now and I can say she's one of the moodiest and most stubborn woman I have ever met. Peace! Love you, best! Oliver is also a good buddy, and he was Kelvin's colleague and basketball buddy back when Kelvin was still working in IBM. 

Gradeschool Graduation, 2002

The fourth pair is my cousin Mikka Manalang, and Kelvin's college friend, Jek Ramirez. I absolutely adore Mikka and I was so blown away with how gorgeous she looked on our wedding day. I guess it is an understatement if I say she doesn't like wearing gowns or make-up. Mike, as we call her, never really liked girly clothes, or anything girly, period. So for her to walk down the aisle like that, all dolled up, is a huge effort for her. Thank you, cuz! Love mo talaga ako! Jek and Kelvin have been friends since college in Asia Pacific College. Among their group of friends, Jek (along with Joma and Jess) is one of the people I'm most comfortable with. He has always been very gracious, friendly, and funny to everyone. He's also one of Kelvin's best buddies in their group, as he is one of the guys that Kelvin trusts.

The fifth pair is one of my favorite couples in the world. Say hello to my TA BFF Joyce and her husband Joma De Vera! I first met the couple nine years ago when Kelvin and I stated dating and we have gone in thousands of double dates over the years. Joyce has always been my confidant as Joma has been Kelvin's. Joyce also organized one of my bridal showers along with our other friends. I am so happy that the couple is now pregnant with their firstborn, more than two years after their wedding. At syempre, nnang ako! Kelvin and I have been trying to conceive as well. Baka makahabol pa kami ng kinakapatid ni Baby De Vera!

The sixth pair is my cousin Clarice Varias, and Kelvin's friend and basketball buddy, Wency Young. Clarice is my dad's brother's only daughter, who is not only gorgeous, but also stunningly intelligent, taking up accountancy in college. I remember when she was still a wee girl, she was so quiet but oh so bungisngis! Wency is a good friend of Kelvin and Jo, who is another basketball enthusiast.

The seventh pair is my gorgeous sister-in-law Jamila Utayde, and her cousin Solomon Tan. Jami is my salon-buddy and make up consultant. She is also the mom of our ever-adorable flower girl, Sophia Anne. Ahia Sonny Boy,came all the way from Mindanao, just to be with us and be one of Kelvin's groomsmen.

The eight and last pair, is also one of my favorite couples, with the ever energetic Melissa Amurao, and Kelvin's sweet boylet and barkada, Jaja La Rosa. The couple, also engaged to be married in 2017, has graciously agreed to be part of our entourage. I have always enjoyed our long talks and heart-to-heart conversations. This year, me and the TA ladies have agreed to meet on a regular basis for quick chats over dinner or coffee so that we can catch up on our lives and break the monotony or the work week. 

So there you go, folks! I'm extremely happy with our choice of members of the entourage as these are the people who have been with us for years and I'm certain will be with us for years and years in the future. 

I dedicate this blog to the lovely ladies and gentlemen. We would like to thank you for the love, support, tears, and laughter that we have shared over the years. Thank you for being with us on the first day of our married life; we look forward to more years of laughter, tears, and love with you.

#KelandLeng2015

__________________________________

Hit me up!

Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias

Our Principal Sponsors

I have been writing soo much about me and The Husband; but how could I forget the people who made US happen?

This blog’s edition is dedicated to the people who literally and figuratively walked and will be walking with us as Kelvin and I start and keep our marriage.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to meet our Principal Sponsors, our Secondary Sponsors, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, flower girls, bearers, and our parents!

Today I’ll start off with our Principal Sponsors or Ninongs and Ninangs:

My uncle and the mayor of Alfonso, Cavite; Hon. Mayor Virgilio Varias, and his charming First Lady, Mrs. Rosemarie Varias

Hon. Judge Gonzalo Q. Mapili Jr.  of Cavite, and his wife, my aunt, Dr. Leoncia V. Mapili, who not only ensures that the people of Cavite has sparkling set of teeth, but also has the most enchanting smile

Mr. Cesar Maligalig, and Kelvin’s aunt, Mrs. Dalisay Maligalig, who is also the Principal Statistician of Asian Development Bank

MSgt. Danilo Evangelista of the Philippine Air Force, and my aunt and feisty godmother, Mrs. Melanie Evangelista

Mr. Alexander Macalma, who just arrived from the States after recently retiring from the US Navy, and my elegant Tita, who prepared a scrumptious seafood lunch for us when we visited her in Cavite, Mrs. Virgina Gañac-Macalma.

My uncle, Mr. Gil P. Melo, and his wife, my ever stylish Ninang Mrs. Julie C. Melo. I pleasantly remember when we were still planning  the wedding, my family and I would always bump into them in SM.

My uncle Engr. Cezar Lamanero, who, sadly was not able to make it because he was in Dubai, and our enchanting Ninang who came all the way from Ilo-Ilo, Mrs. Josephine Lamanero.

One of our favorite Ninongs, Dr. Edgar Michael T. Eufemio, who is one of Papa’s treasured friends. He has also been a massive part of Kelvin’s life, having operated Kelvin’s  knees (yes, both of Kelvin’s knees) for his ACL injuries in 2008 and 2011. His wife, also our Ninang, Mrs. Anna Marie V. Eufemio, was unfortunately unable to join us due to a trip outside the country.

Another lovely pair, is our buddy Janno’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham and Josephine Rivera. Ninang Jo is one of our Ninangs who have given us the wisest and most important lessons of married life. I will forever treasure our dinner where we talked about the importance of family, children, and faith.

The last two ladies on the list are the loveliest and the sexiest Ninangs of them all. They truly are our second (and third?) mothers.

Mrs. Hydie F. Peralta, our good buddy JR’s mom, and the barkada’s surrogate mom. Ninang Hydie has been there for Kelvin and the whole barkada ever since they started in grade school and high school in Don Bosco Makati. If you want to know the history of the gang, Ninang Hydie is your go-to woman.

Mrs. Corazon Santos, our mother with another brother, and Kelvin’s best man, Jo. Even since Kelvin and I started years  years ago, she has always been our confidant, mother, and the barkada’s peacekeeper. Kelvin and I recently got into a major fight, two weeks before the wedding, and it was Ninang Corgie who helped us patch things up. Just like Ninang Hydie, Ninang Corgie has seen Kelvin and me, and the rest of the gang, grow from the young snotty boys, into the fine men that they are right now.

And there you go! I dedicate this blog to our phenomenal Ninongs and Ninangs who joined us on our wedding day and took time off their insanely busy schedules. Thank you so much po! With you behind us as our advisers and guides, we're more confident that our marriage will always be on the right track. Thank you for all your advice and guide even before our wedding day. We love you!

Next up are the lovely ladies and dashing men of our wedding party!

#KelandLeng2015

__________________________________

Hit me up!

Wedding Blog: http://www.kelvinandleng2015.blogspot.com/

My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliane.varias