Engagement: a happy occasion

Aside from the films, I haven’t witnessed a wedding proposal before. And it has been four years since Buboy and I got engaged ourselves. Thus I didn’t realize since last night just how beautiful it can be even for the spectators.

My sister Juvie got a marriage proposal from her long time boyfriend Benny during one of the regular meetings of the church group they are both actively involved in. We are not a member of this group. However Benny asked us to be there so we went. My sister was obviously surprised to see us there. But we did well by actually participating in the discussion.

Benny was one of the key speakers for the night and he talked about love finishing it off by going to my sister who was seated among the others and kneeling, presented her with a ring and asked the question “will you be my wife?” Now this happened inside the village chapel making the event serene despite the many cheers and laughter from the group. Juvie was clearly surprised and dumbfounded she turned beet red and was not able to immediately answer. But of course she did say yes after several moments of speechlessness. Well, it has been proven long ago that speechlessness can occur during intense moments such as this so it was not taken negatively by both Benny and the group.

After the meeting and the main event, which apparently was the proposal, the group decided to celebrate a little by dropping by Mc Donald’s Fort for a late dinner and afterwards coffee at UCC next-door. Buboy and I had fun along with everyone else despite the fact that we’re not part of the group and some of them we've only just met. However, I noticed how Juvie was still quite silent for most of the night. But it was evident that it was a happy silence. I bet she’s reenacting in her mind the proposal over and over. Well, she was clearly glowing.

The couple with the witnesses at UCC cafe'

To the newly engaged couple, Juvie and Benny, Buboy and I wish you strength as you share the gift of love and happiness that God has given you. We love you!

- Chebong

Happy Birthday Mama Mary....

Today is September 8... Mama Mary's Birthday.

Happy Birthday Mama... we love you and we thank you for watching over this particular Kurly Couple all this time. We know that you will continue to intercede not only in our behalf, but that of the whole world. We thank you for your continued blessings and prayers for all of us.

With love,

-Buboy & Chebong

Farewell Baldo... We'll miss you...

One of our dogs, Baldo, died this early morning. He was the oldest of our three dogs. Baldo was the alpha dog in the house. He was given to my brother when he was just a puppy and has been with us for ten years. Although he was such a sweet dog (to our family), he was also a loud and extremely territorial dog. Those who don’t know him (heck! even those who know him but see him rarely) are terrified of him.

Baldo’s companion for six years was Basti. He was given to me by Mox when he was also just a puppy. Baldo and Basti, though always together fight a lot… especially when we adopted a female dog. We had to give her up, the two dogs were fighting over her like crazy! But even when the lady dog was gone, they would still fight. We’d see one of them limping and we’d know. It’s like a sport to them somehow. They were always in competition. They compete over food, attention from us; they would even compete in barking to let us know someone is at the gate. We’d always know from their barking though if that someone is a stranger or family.

This morning when Baldo was lying under the table slowly slipping away, Basti stood by him with his head close to Baldo’s as if whispering consoling words, staying there, not leaving. When Baldo finally used up his final breath, Basti nudged his head as if waking him up, not believing that he had already left.

They say fighting among true friends is normal. They also say that dogs make good friends. I now know it’s true. I’ve seen it happen. Baldo and Basti, despite being just dogs know what friendship is. And their friendship goes beyond their fights. I wish all people would experience such friendship.

I have been worrying about Basti for awhile now, with him being quiet and obviously depressed the whole day. But then again, everyone needs time to mourn a lost friend, Basti included.

-Chebong