All this talk of Meteor Garden reminds me of a former officemate of mine whom I like to tease as looking vaguely similar to Hua Zhe Lei. I’m talking about my "kakosa," Engr. Stephen Las Marias.

He got married with his longtime girlfriend Lovely at the Ina ng Awa Parish Church in Muntinlupa last May 7.

That Saturday afternoon, it began to rain even though the sun was shining in Muntinlupa. The time was 4 PM, approximately the same time when Stephen was getting married! Only then did I believe the saying that when it rains while the sun is shining, there is a "tikbalang" getting married. (Peace, Steep!) Still, they say rain during a wedding is a blessing so a heavy downpour (which was exactly what happened) must be a downpour of blessings as well.

When I finally got to the church by quarter to 5 PM, they were already exchanging vows and wedding rings. There must have been at least a dozen pairs of ninongs and ninangs and their color motif was golden yellow.

The wedding reception was held at the Sto. Nino Pavilion in a nearby village. They hired a band to play and I overheard the caterer say that they had to replace the tablecloths because they got wet during the rain earlier.

The program consisted of the cake cutting, wine drinking, dove releasing, bouquet throwing (the new practice now is to throw several roses and the girl who gets the one with the congratularoty note is touted as the next bride), the garter throwing, and the first dance as a couple, during which guests pinned money on the couple’s clothes in accordance to a Filipino custom.

As I went home, I texted Stephen and advised him that when troubles do  come, he should just recall the vows they made to each other on their wedding day.

The Las Marias - Palisoc Nuptial at the Ina ng Awa Parish Church in Muntinlupa.

"We profess our vows before God and before man…"

Stephen and Lovely Las Marias, ECE

Still "kakosas"