JOSE H. REYES & Kyna C. Pasamba
Love in the Time of Corona
I’ve always loved romance. Romance in music, literature, art, films—you name it. Growing up, I always dreamt about what my own romance would be like. I had the unconditional love of my family & friends, and to me that was more than enough, but I was genuinely curious about what it felt like to meet my soulmate. I thought meeting my soulmate would make my heart race, but when I met Dappy, it was different. Yes, my heart did race, but it settled and I felt peace, as if it was meant to be.
We began planning the wedding in December 2019, but in March came the pandemic. No one could have prepared for that. I’ve heard of other couples that postponed their wedding because of the constant and rapid changes in the government’s pandemic protocol. The uncertainties and risks can be so overwhelming, and I understand why some people wouldn’t want to go through that for a once-in-a-lifetime event. But as months passed, I grew more and more sure of October 10th. At a time when people not only lose livelihood but even their sense of purpose, I found that the wedding now has a chance to mean something more.
We wanted our guests to have something to look forward to, but laying the groundwork for the strict implementation of health & safety protocol was of utmost importance to us. From social distancing to proper sanitation, this was by far the most challenging aspect of our journey. We have always been a team, but the preparations for our special day made us a stronger tandem. The result? We learned that there’s no need to postpone milestones. Everything can be celebrated in our own way as long as we are willing to persevere and adapt.
At the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes, a carefully selected total of 45 of our closest family & friends gathered for our ceremony. To see all our loved ones that day in one place had us beaming. The walk down the aisle was an experience
I’ll never forget. Underscored by a live rendition of Ryan Cayabyab’s “Iniibig Kita” as my bridal march, I entered the Church in a gown fit for a queen. One that not only made me feel beautiful, but gave me a sense of security on this very emotional but joyous occasion. It was as though I had stepped into the romantic fantasy I’ve been dreaming of since I was young.