The New Year ushers limitless possibilities and enormous amounts of positivity that are made even prosperous by the advent of the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival on Sunday, February 10.
Based on the Chinese Astrological Calendar, people whose lucky element is water will obtain fortune and good life since this year falls in the Year of the Water Snake which begins on February 4, a very rare occurrence that happens only once every 60 years. The last time was in 1953.
The Year of the Water Snake, according to Hollywood Feng Shui Master Jennifer Bonetto, will bring extremes in weather patterns in the country and Southeast Asia could experience a lot of tumultuous natural calamities like typhoons, hurricanes, and earthquakes. There could also have a possible rise in fire-related incidents and disasters such as a nuclear explosion. The global economy, she adds, will continue to improve and more creative businesses will be at the forefront.
The Chinese are very particular with colors and they always regard red as a “Yang” chi or male, the extrovert energy as oppose to black which is considered a “Yin” chi or female, the introvert energy. The red, aside from the fact it represents beauty, vibrancy, energetic life and passionate love, it is the most attractive of all colors and the symbol of blood and life in many languages and culture.
2013 will be difficult for people born in the Year of the Pig since they directly clash with each other. But for many, these predictions are mere guidelines and reminders but it will still be God’s will that will rule and prevail over what He has created.
And speaking of colors, during the recently celebrated renewal of vows to seal their forty years of married life at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Newark, NJ Rogelio and Ramona Gapasin made the right choice when they picked red for their color motif. The hotel’s Crystal Ballroom was glistening in hues of red with dashes of white and gold.
The aisle, complete with bouquets of red and white roses on both sides, was made possible with a mosaic-patterned red runner that led to a make-shift altar. A white floral arch festooned with thousand lights and twigs of hollies with red cardinal birds and white pigeons perched all over congruously served as the ceremony’s focal point.
Abundantly laden buffet tables were strategically set on both ends of the hall that left a huge space for dancing and ceremonial activities. At a glance, the garden ambiance overwhelmingly prevailed with guests absorbing the vibrantly festive energy that the interior decor purposely served.
Rev. Fr. Paciano Alex Barbieto celebrated the 6:30 mass in a specially designated private room after which they were ushered into the main venue where the couple received their guests and well-wishers while Rev. Fr. Donato Cabardo, Jr. delivered the invocation and the Grace before meal prayer.
A very moving renewal of vows ensued after a grand processional participated in by Ramona’s mother Mrs. Feliza Nillo Zampaga vda. de Sansait who was escorted by grandson Emmanuel Joseph Sansait and the parents of Rogelio Mr. and Mrs. Gregorio and Enriqueta Gapasin.
The couple’s first born, Rebecca G. Pagan, (a BSN graduate and works at the Hoboken University Medical Center) walked the aisle with hubby Angel Pagan and sons Bryan and Jayden. The couple’s eldest son Jeffrey S. Gapasin (operations manager of CEC Entertainment in Rhode Island) followed with fiancee Sharon Lakatos, while their third child Patrick S. Gapasin (senior windows system administrator at Datapipe in Exchange Place) tread the center carpet with wife Anna and their three-year old daughter Kalia. Rogelio and Ramona’s youngest son Gregory (BSN, RN at the Kessler Rehab. Center of NJ in Saddlebrook), meanwhile, walked with wife Patricia Roxas Gapasin and their six-month old baby, Emma Sofia.
A dinner break and an hour-long dancing slot broke the sentimental first part of the occasion where Ramona and Rogelio took the opportunity to change outfits. Ramona re-entered in a body-hugging Grecian-inspired champagne red gown finished with a voluminous train and flowing sleeve while Rogelio was dashing in his magenta barong Tagalog with front and back appliqués that matched his bride.
After the traditional cake and wine ceremonies, the groom’s best buddy, Anthony Bartido, proposed a wedding toast which he started with a vivid and eloquent reflection of the couple’s inspiring married life.
The couple gamely entertained their guests with a choreographed production number of a medley of dances they were familiar with through the years, starting with the romantic sweet steps that segued to a graceful waltz and shifted to the bouncy cha-cha, then changed the mood to the dramatic tango and airy swing. Just when the crowd thought that it was almost over, the couple suddenly finished it off with the phenomenal dance craze, Gangnam Style, that earned for them thunderous applause.
But there was still more than what they expected. In the middle of Psy’s infectious music, seven-year old Jayden, the couple’s grandson from Rebecca and Angel, joined them in synchronized movement and literally stole the show from them. The crowd went even wilder with applause and stomping. If only for Jayden’s well-applauded participation, that culminating portion was, indeed, worth all the efforts and preparations.
Aptly dubbed as “a romance to last a lifetime,” Rogelio and Ramona’s blissful wedded life is truly one for the books. It is a rare love story.
“We’re still looking forward for another ten years to celebrate our Golden Anniversary, God willing,” Ramona said as hugged Rogelio and gave a playful wink.
Definitely a long and lasting love this couple has had shared in forty years which made me wonder what secret keeps their relationship last.
“There’s no secret, not even a formula.” Ramona explained. “Since we’re two different individuals with different upbringing and orientation and merely attracted to each other, so, we made it a point to fully understand and learn from each other in every way and tried to adjust to each other every single day!”
To Rogelio and Ramona, maybe French pilot-writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s quotation from his book, The Airman’s Odyssey, is a fitting dedication: “Love does not consist of gazing at each other alone but in looking outward together in the same direction!”
Here’s to a more solid and lasting marital togetherness to the both of you!
Erratum et addendum: In my column last issue, the latest WBO Super Bantamweight Title holder Nonito Donaire was inadvertently tagged “The Hawaiian Punch” instead of “The Filipino Flash.” The former tag was supposedly intended for another Filipino pride and achiever in the Sports Arena, Brian Villoria, having had unified the WBO & WBA Flyweight titles.
Incidentally, ESPN, Ring Magazine, and Sports Illustrated unanimously honored Donaire as 2012 “Boxer of the Year” while the Pacquiao-Marquez 4 was named “Fight of the Year.”
Bothered by my own guilty conscience for failure to include significant personalities in my 2012 Newsmakers and Headliners, I stand apologetic for my glaring “sin of omission.” So here are some more worth-praising figures that contributed and brought honor to the Philippines last year: June Mendoza Macasaet of Batangas for winning the 2012 Mr. Manhunt International in Bangkok and transgender Kevin Balot of Tarlac for bagging the Miss International Queen in Pattaya, Thailand, two elusive titles won by the Philippines for the first time; actor-model and Philippine Volcanoes rugby player Andrew James P. Wolff for bringing home the 1st. Runner-up title in the recently concluded Mr. World 2012 competition in Kent, England; Mutya ng Pilipinas bet Rizzini Alexis Gomez of Cebu for bagging the Miss Tourism International 2012 crown in Malaysia; and how could I possibly miss international singing sensation and Season XI American Idol runner-up Filipina-Mexican Jessica Sanchez? Mea culpa!
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