Cherry Moriones Doromal today

MANILA,Philippines,November 11, 2000— Three hours before my wedding, the back portion of my wedding gown was accidentally burned by the hotel staff while pressing it . Hahah, oh yeah, it created a big , unpardonable hole at the back. Can you imagine how we were able to handle it? My mom thought it was a joke. Hilarious ! It created a great panic among the family members who were all set for the church.

Grace under pressure. I remember fleeing from the Fanny Serrano Salon (my hair and make up sponsor) with hair curlers on to fit a new gown in every promising boutique at the Makati Cinema Square. I did it all by myself and so everyone was looking for me. I ended up getting the only piece that fit me, but never matched the color of my veil. Opportunely, my veil was multi-layered and long enough to cover the life-size hole on my original gown.  It worked!  By no means any of my guests ever noticed it!

The rewarding experience. I can’t help but cherish our Filipiniana Police Officer’s Christian bridal with only a month of preparation and attended by nearly 450 guests. Special thanks to 7107 Islands Traveller ’s Club (Now 7107 Islands Cruise) for the free hotel accommodations at The Philippine Plaza (Sofitel), Rembrandt, Sulo, Legenda, Boracay Terraces and Silver Place .
 
It’s been ten years now and I feel our marriage is brand new everyday. Wilson and I never fight and we never had any serious arguments. Thanks for the unchanging love, respect and understanding of my husband who is an “officer and a gentleman” (well, that’s according to him)...Uhhmm, honestly, yeah, I’ve been enjoying every bit of my married life. My ex- boyfriend Wilson and I didn’t have a long engagement but ,definitely, we met at the right time. I was 27 turning 28 in two months at that time -a Mass Communication grad , an advertising executive of a small marketing & advertising company, a tv host and pursuing law– and Wilson was 28, a Business Ad and BS Public Safety grad, a Police Inspector and pursuing his MBA. Let’s say, we were both “ single, free and searching” at that time, hahahah! Now, we are even closer to each other and we remain as the best of friends with our two smarties around : Ezekiel Wilson ,9  and Zecheriah Wilson, 5.
 
Ideology on marriage. Marriage is a permanent union both under the Philippine law and under the law of God. For me, it is a decision and a destiny; and how you live happily within it is a joint effort between the husband and wife. In our case, my husband and I unconditionally support each other’s endeavors , whims and caprices irrespective of our limitations . Interestingly, we never clash on financial issues, we never worry about tomorrow ; moreover, we both enjoy sharing our blessings to everyone around us as a matter of passion. Without pretentions, we are both social entrepreneurs who can extend help with joy at anyone without expecting for any favor in return ,and it’s no big deal, we don’t even talk about it. Note that these are things I didn’t know ten years ago. I’m not also saying that ours is the best style of relationship to imitate ; all I know is that my marriage came to me as a blessing. Most important of all, our ultimate secret , is acknowledging the Almighty in every aspect of our life.

Realizations. I went over my two-hour wedding video , and more than the entertainment part and comical bloopers, etc. , I got to realize so many things which steered me to be even more grateful to God for all His favor to me and my family. In that video, I saw friends and relatives who have gone a long way. Some of the kids and shower girls then are now either in college level or are professionals. My male secondary sponsors from PNPA Kapanalig Class of ‘97 who were Police Inspectors at that time are either Police Chief Inspectors (Major) or Police Superintendents (Colonel) by now. Also, there are those among our guests who already left to live abroad , such as my in-laws, relatives, one of the officiating ministers, and friend Aris who served as the bridal car driver and an instant “principal sponsor”.  Furthermore, there were special people who have departed for good and are now with the Lord —for instance, my grandfather, principal sponsor Congressman Ponce, a cousin and an uncle. We can never rewind a single second of our life neither can we add even half a second to it but we can always treasure beautiful memoirs.

Expectation. Lord willing, we will be 11 years on 11/11/11. I hope you’ll join us,again, in another celebration and more decades of festivities.

Great 2011: Got my dream job at the Manila Bulletin on its 111th year, plus it was on a KUNG HEI FAT CHOI week,packaged with promising opporunities for learning locally and internationally and working with the finest men and women in the industry. It's also my Alma Mater University of Santo Tomas' 400th founding anniversary and hopefully my dad's 60th birthday and the 11th year of my marriage on 11/11/11. I've got 1111 reasons to thank God for. Lord, You are awesome!  Happy Hearts' Day to all.!