Prelude to a grand wedding
SAJID Joseph Tiongco, 32 years old and his betrothed, Marie
Lim, 27, were supposed to wed, with 200 invited guests on March
28, 2020.
With cancellations of events mandated by the government, they had no choice but to cancel their wedding, with the plans of holding it when times get better, with the lifting of community quarantine and the situation does not pose any danger to anyone’s health.
Also considering the fact that their guests from Manila, Korea, and all over would not be able to make it at this time.
But because they planned to get married on March 18, a date considered to bring luck in the Chinese calendar, Sajid and Marie decided to have a small wedding with a pastor, Pastor Bebot Diao, at Artisana Restaurant on March 18, 2020 at 6:00 pm.
Invited were their immediate families only. Marie’s elder sister skipped the wedding as she just came from domestic travel, and did not want to risk anything. The usual trimmings such as a bouquet and flowers were omitted, There was no photographer either.
“No gown, just a simple blouse and skirt I bought from the department store. Just us, our rings, and our love for each other. Last night after the wedding, we went our separate ways, as we decided to go home to our own families, and will not live together in the meantime. Sajid and I will become runners and helpers to our senior citizen parents while we all fight off this pandemic,” Marie relates.
Marie adds, “The wedding went through without much fuss, that we took our documents, and placed it in a recycled envelop with label ‘chicken monitoring’!”
Present at the wedding were Sajid’s parents, Mr. Oliveros P, Tiongco and Mrs. Leonora B. Tiongco and Marie’s Dad, Mr. Tek An K. Lim. Joining them were Mr. Ron G. Zabarte, Mrs. Jo B. Zabarte, Ms. Josephine Gamboa, Ms. Shara P. Lim, Mr. Hun Oliver B. Tiongco, and Mr. Romeo Baguio.
Marie ends her story with this statement: “It just proves that happiness and love are not dependent on fancy things, and elaborate preparations. All you need is the love and commitment you have for the person. And that is a wedding.”
Marie however sent us a note that they are still pushing through with their two hundred persons wedding date “when the coast is clear!”