Altar of the Boac Cathedral and Group Wedding Picture
Last year we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Boac Cathedral ( the same church where we were married in 1957) in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. All of our four children and three of our grandchildren, a son-in-law and two nieces from the United States were in attendance. In addition about 150 friends and relatives from Manila and Marinduque were also present. A friend from Vancouver, B.C., Canada also attended this memorable event.
The Bishop of Boac officiated the renewal of vows and mass. The Governor and his wife with about 150 guests attended the reception held at our conference hall( Chateau Du Mer Conference Center)
The following is a write-up of my daughter experiences. She titled it " Survivor Philippines and my Parents Golden Wedding Anniversary.
" Resembling the journey survivor contestants make to get to their island, after 47 hours of travel -planes, trains, automobiles and a long ferry ride-- Carenna and I finally arrived on the peaceful island of Marinduque. Staying at my parents winter home and resort, we were joined by all my siblings, brother-in-law Dave, nephew Ian, niece Elaine, and first cousins, Ella and Lanie and Alex ( Lanie's S.O. and Carenna's personal "bee killer"). It was quite an experience getting there and being there." Here are the 12 memorable things about the Philippines during my trip:
1 (One) Great performance- Carenna sings "New World" at the Anniversary reception
2. (Two) Happily married parents ( renewed vows after 50 years)
3. Three Hours of holding Carenna (50 lbs), sweating during midnight mass in an ancient (no A/C) cathedral built in 1660 with 1000+ mass attendees( imagine survivor LOG HOLD challenge)
4. Four Roasted Pigs -aka Lechon . Carenna got to meet the live pigs the day before they appeared at the party ( albeit with tan).
5. Five guys eating balut- Ian, Dave, Alex, Dodie and David E had a christmas day Balut eating contest-- yes that's the fertilized duck embryo boiled eggs that they eat in Survivor and Fear Factor TV shows
6. Six aquamarine bridesmaid dresses that did not fit
7. Seven words in tagalog that Carenna knows, ( Tabi po Nono', tubig, paroparo, salamat po, maganda and Kain na)
8. Eight bouts of prickly heat-poor Carenna
9. Nine hours of marathon shopping in Metro Manila with Cousin Cindy Nieva ( professional shopper)
10. Ten asthma attacks in Manila-not known for air quality
11. Eleven types of rice cakes ( 11 hour hangover for Ella)
12. Twelve of us crammed in a van during the round Marinduque Island Tour
Yes, at that time there was no air transportation available from Manila to Marinduque. There are rumors that air transportation will be available around October, 2008. I hope these rumors will become a reality.
May I reiterate to the provincials officials of Marinduque, that if one of their goals is to make Marinduque a world -wide tourist destination like Boracay Island in Aklan, it is imperative that air transportation services from Manila should be their number one priority. Otherwise, the island will remain as if it was in the 1970's with exception of course of new roads and one modern hotel and resort such as East Point and Chateau Du Mer.
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