The Surprise Box <3

Words can't describe the emotions I felt when I saw that pregnancy test turned positive for the first time. We've waited weeks and months to see this result and now, finally~ yay! :3 I can't wait to tell my husband about it. 

October 03, 2015 ~ 

When I found out this wonderful blessing from above, I didn't tell Gelo right away because I prepared a plan how to surprise him. I want to take extra step to make this momentous announcement to him even that more special. 

On my way home in my province, I searched some ideas in the internet for creative ways to tell him. My sister fetched me in SM Pampanga. I bought a box and a simple frame for the surprise thing! ;) I also searched some good stuff in the house that I can use to decorate it. 

I had a hard time sleeping that night. Couple of happy thoughts were flying in my mind. I can't remove the smile in my face. I can't still believe this is happening. I even alarmed 4 o clock in the morning to retake the pregnancy test and felt the excitement even more when the result was clearly a positive! wow! just wow!

October 04, 2015~ 

Dad helped me prepared my surprise for Gelo. :) 

I put these ff. in the surprise box:

A surprise message for le husband written at the back of the ultrasound result

There's another heart beating inside me! :3 yay! kinikilig ako. :D

Mommy, Baby and Daddy! :D
First photo of baby in the ultrasound.
I put it in the frame! :)
For keeps.

It's Sunday- worship day. Perfect timing. And the perfect place to tell him? At the church. We were at the Don Bosco Church, Makati. Before the mass started, I gave him the box.. I told him it was the greatest gift he will receive from me this year. Yay :3

Watch the video presentation below for his priceless reaction :3

Someday, my baby will be able to watch this and he/she will see how happy and grateful we are to have him/her in our lives.

There's no greater feeling of love for your husband, as you look them tenderly in the eye and say "I'm pregnant! You're gonna be a daddy".<3

Psalm 127:3

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Food Tripping: Tagaytay Mahogany Market

So it’s our 7 Wedding Monthsary. I woke up very early, took a bath and dressed up- not my usual weekend. Neither of us discussed what the plans for today. It’s been 7 months after the wedding, I felt the need to celebrate Love but I didn’t say any word to my husband except for a morning kiss and greetings “Happy monthsary!.” He was looking at me while I’m dressing up (para kasing babaeng nagaayos para hindi maleyt sa date nya) haha! Maybe he got it already; I want him to date me. Actions speak louder than words. So he also prepared afterwards. 

Perks of being married- no more pakipot moves. I want a date, so I dressed up, whether he wants it or not- we’re going for a date. Walang tanong tanong.  Walang sagot sagot. Automatic alam na! *laughs*

Both unprepared. While driving, he asked me where do I want to go..

“Take me wherever you want, I’ll go with you love”.—cheeziness! 

goofing around with le hubby <3

Driving habit: Holding hands

Pandy and Bebear lead the way.

So he just continued driving. The nearest sweet and ideal place to spend some downtime-Tagaytay! Just about an hour away from Makati :’> walang sawang Tagaytay! Our favorite place for escapade, everytime gusto naming magchillax at magbulalo. Dun naman kame nagkakasundo- sa foodtripan! 

While we are in SLEX, we asked each other what particular place to visit, where to eat, etc. Then he remembered the Mahogany Market- Home of the Famous Beef- Bulalo Haven. Finally! Tagal na din kasi namin gusto yun puntahan.

How to get there?

Public Vehicle: You can ride a jeep with route passing by “NBI Tagaytay” or all buses going to Nasugbu, and Balayan, Batangas. Just tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Mahogany.

Private Vehicle: From Tagaytay Rotonda or  Junction, go straight to the road going to Batangas. When you reach the Petron Gasoline Station, take the road going right and look for the Hall of Justice Building which is located at the right side of the road. The market is at the back of the building.

Tagaytay Mahogany Market 

The Mahogany market in Tagaytay is famous for its beef/bulalo.

Sabi nga nila, this is one of the places in Tagaytay na hindi mo dapat mamiss puntahan. Lalo na if first time mo and gusto mo makatikim ng super sarap na bulalo. It is also known for the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables being sold in the market.

There are also vendors selling Filipino delicacies/dried foods and souvenir stuff to bring back home around the market. There are also herbs, bonsai plants, flowering plants and many more.

Tawilis and Danggit for only 100 php (50 each)

First stop: The Famous Eatery which is featured in GMA Pinoy Foodies and Delmonte Kitchenomics: The Alegres’s Canteen - the best Bulalo in Tagaytay.

Reading other blogs, reviews and considering officemate’s suggestion- we decided to eat at Alegre’s Canteen.

There are variety of yummy foods.

 But we ordered our all time favorite:

The Best Bulalo 350 php

Tawilis- a must try 100

 

Unli Free Banana <3

suka (vinegar) for sawsawan - FTW

Overall, we had a delightful dining experience. Best Bulalo in Tagaytay + Tawilis (my bagong paborito hihi) +Unli Banana =Solb! 

The next time you go to Tagaytay City do not forget to pass by Mahogany Market for your fresh fruit, plant, and beef ‘pasalubong’ or souvenir and try at least their famous bulalo. :">

Gelo & Aiza Save the Date Video: 02122015

                                    

Our save the date video :)

By: 54 South

How to tie the knot?

Find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, get a ring and find romantic way to ask for a yes and then find a place to say I  DO :)

Because of the busy preparation, I wasn't able to post our save the date video on time.

Better late than never :)

Enjoy watching! 

<3 Gelo and Aiza

plus our save the date card:

Climb for Love: The Pamamanhikan

... After the decision to take the relationship to the next level. We immediately informed our family about all our plans.

As a part of Filipino tradition, Gelo have to go through the stage of pamamanhikan before we get married. He needs to climb for love first. :)

Pamamanhikan have been established by the Philippine pre-colonial Malayan forebears.

It is from the word panik (which means to ascend or to climb a house’s flight of stairs).  The groom-to-be will ask for the girl’s parents’ permission to marry their princess. The custom symbolizes honor and respect for the parents, seeking their blessing and approval as you start down the path towards matrimony. 

December 07, 2015 ~The Pamamanhikan 

Gelo and his family went to our house for a formal proposal of our marriage. He officially asked my father for my hand and he clearly expressed his intentions. :) *Bravery*

Happy eating with my dad and Gelo's family <3

The wedding arrangements and other plans can be discussed during the pamamanhikan.

Tatay giving his words of wisdom plus kwentuhan with my future in-laws.

The side of the groom will bring foods and drinks for the occasion as form of celebration. 

Salo-salo :)

Nomnomnom :3

Family friend, relatives and my siblings :)

Happy us! :)

After getting my dad's permission to get married, we immediately went to my grandma to introduce my future in-laws to her and formally ask for her blessing. I will never forget that emotional moment when she asked them to take good care of me because my mom is not there anymore to look after me. I can't help the tears in my eyes as she cried while saying "kayo na bahala sa apo ko :'). Sadly, she passed away last January 1, 2015 :-(

Asking for my grandma's blessing.

I don't wanna sound emotional because this is actually one of the best moments in my life. But honestly, there's a bit sadness knowing that mom should be here witnessing everything, cooking and preparing delicious meals for Gelo's family, sharing her thoughts regarding the upcoming wedding- but she was not there :(

 In preparing for the happiest day of my life, I had to face what made it so sad. But realizing that if only she's alive, she will be happy for us- it give me so much comfort. She was not physically present, I know she's guiding me and Gelo with our journey to forever. *positive spirit*

Visiting Mom

We love you mom! ~so much.

That day ended up with a prayer.
All went well. :)

I would like to say thank you to our immediate family and relatives for being so supportive with all our decisions in life.

The Proposal

He got down on one knee. The next few minutes, my heart was at total bliss. And all of a sudden, I have a ring on my finger. Whoah!

December 05, 2014, in Greenhills West Clubhouse during BDO-ITO-DCO Christmas Party, around past nine o'clock in the evening, he popped the question and I said Yes! Gelo and I got engaged. At that particular moment, we were the happiest couple on earth. <3

                             Do you want to hear our wedding bells? You must watch this video first :')

Videography: Gherric Magboo
Photography: Frederick Gabutero

He asked, I said Yes. Now, officially engaged:)

    

Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, LOVE gives us a FAIRYTALE