The wedding was scheduled for March 30, 2009 but the group left together with some friends and classmates of the groom, three make-up artists, four coordinators and four performers on March 29 at around 4:00 pm boarding Nelbusco for a special trip. Nelbusco only has one schedule trip a day and that is 7:30 pm because Madela City, somewhere in the Quirino Province is one of the farthest places north. By the way, the video men and photographers boarded on their own. We were 28 passengers and most of them are young. The groom is only 23 years old and getting married that young.
It took us 11 hours to reach the place at around 3:30 a.m. and were given accommodations. Villa Caridad Resort and Restaurant where we stayed is owned by the parents of the groom named after his mother, Caridad Barrientos. It’s simply heavenly place with 18 rooms, a big swimming pool, a wide reception area and around is their big plantation of corn and I heard bigger than expected. The groom, together with his parents are so humble being pure Ilocanos.
The one who attended our comforts when we arrived is Jerome, before I forget to mention. Even most of the errands he did his part and we thank him for that. I knew the couple could not find time for that.
I had only an hour sleep even I tried to force myself to. The same with the rest, I guessed but got more than an hour. I just laid with closed eyes and at 7:00 a.m. I took a needed bath, ironed my clothes and at 8:00 a.m. we were asked for breakfast and so woke the rest of us. We were done past 9:00 a.m. and we prepared the things needed for the church ceremony at 2:00 p.m. We left Villa Caridad to The Church of God for the ceremony. We were ahead because we had to see to it that everything in place being the coordinators. We were the first to arrive. Checked the sound system, arranged chairs for the parents and principal sponsors and prepared a place for the choir and the trio. The place is solemn as a whole with soil red as draperies giving it a feel of peace and gaiety. The ceremony started a bit late and ended around 5:00 p.m. The ceremony was a real solemn one. And the pastor did his very best. A rare kind, indeed. The first of a kind we witnessed. Best because he was not hurried. He had all the time in the world, so to speak.
Then to the reception. Surprise upon surprises almost all folks from madela came. The city dwellers occupied the tent area below and relatives, friends, principal sponsors, parents and special guests occupied the main ballroom in the second floor adorned with gold and brown, a wonderful combination giving it a rare look. If my count serves me right, more than a thousand guests were present in the tent area while the main venue had around 500 guests or more because the inner room was occupied, too.
And the food. Lots of lobsters and fish and the usual menu for a reception. It was really a grand celebration. For sure their guests enjoyed the feast and the couple’s friends and relatives I know enjoyed the program because they took part of the activities. We did our part the best we can but the best part was being with a real family, the Barrientos and Gannaban’s.
