My officemate and friend, Jovy, got married. Venue was in her hometown - San Juan, Batangas. Travel time was around 3 hours. We rode the service Jeepney Jovy owns. :)
This was my first time to attend a wedding in the province. Actually, this was also my first time na maging abay sa kasal. (Well, not quite. Nag proxy na ko dati as abay).
Compared to modern weddings that I've been to (elegant, serious, formal, everyone was dressed up accordingly, etc.), it was a very informal, festive, and a celebration attended by almost the entire neighborhood! It all happened in their backyard in San Juan, Batangas.
The party started the night before the wedding, sabi nga ni Jovy, wala ng tulugan. We arrived around 6pm on November 16. We were welcomed by a live band singing happy OPM Songs and other love songs. Everyone was busy - some were arranging flowers and wedding decors, some were cooking in big pots, nagtataga ng mga baboy, cleaning dishes (accompanied by assistants na nag-iigib ng tubig sa poso), serving food to the guests, and some were just having fun eating, playing with the kids, dancing to the music, and taking pictures. (too bad I didn't bring my camera). *Credits to Jazz for all the photos here.
Some traditional wedding practices they had:
-Pagsasabit ng Pera sa damit ng ikakasal like the picture above
first on the list were the ninongs and ninangs, then the family. I learned na kung sino kamag anak mo sa ikakasal, sa kanya ka magsasabit ng pera. :) It's funny because one relative of the groom hung the new house key of the soon-to be husband and wife. :P
-Traditional Dance of the bride and groom, plus a dance with your partner / mga abay sa kasal
awkward. I'm not used to dancing, lalo na slow dance. Pero I still did. for my friend! haha :)
-There were also singing/ jamming, and teenagers had dance showdowns of modern dances like Gangnam Style and Teach me how to Dougie. :) In fairness, confident and talented mga tao doon. :))
The Party ended around 12 midnight and my officemates and I checked in a resort near the beach. Forgot the name, but it's a small resort with dormitory-type accommodation.
Jazz and I (my officemate na abay din) had a nap for less than an hour. then we took a bath early and on time for the 2am call time - for the hair and make up preparation.
Early morning view in Batangas
Then we finished around 6 am. Then we rushed to San Juan Nepomuceno Parish church in the bayan, which was 30 mins away from their house. Wedding Ceremony started at 8am.
(me on the left, Jazz on the right side of the picture)
our officemates
Congratulations! Jovy and Carlo :)
Then afterwards, we took the Jeepney service and went back to their house for the reception. Then there are other traditions they practiced there:
-wine toasting and cake sharing/ eating (the usual)
-paghahagis ng bulaklak/ bigas kasama ng mga barya, then the couple must pick up all the coins (for good luck)
-pagpasok sa loob ng bahay (kailangan sumuot sila sa pinto while their parents are also acting as "doors"
-pagpapalipad ng kalapati
-the traditional pagbato ng flowers nung bride sa girls/dalagas and ribbon for the guys, at kung sino man makasalo, isusuot ng guy yung garter/ ribbon sa legs ng girl. It was also believed na yung nakasalo is sila na yung next na ikakasal
-and what amazed me was they had this sort of fundraising session for the newly weds. Everyone who can give cash (other than the ninongs and ninangs) went in front to donate. There was a host announcing who gave money and how much, parang bidding na ewan. Something like "Oh, si Ninong ___, Nag-abot ng P5,000. Total na po natin ay P20,000" until they reached the most that everyone can give. The couple gave the cash contributors some token like their souvenirs and they also handed native products like suman and kalamay. :)
By the end of the "bidding/ fundraising session" they reached P107,000!!! Not bad at all! I'm sure this couple can be able to cut down on their wedding expenses for this sum of money! :) Great idea for my wedding! hahaha :))
Overall, it was a great wedding experience. For my first time to become an abay, it was remarkable. Exhausting, but fun and definitely a new experience! Best wishes to Jovy and Carlo! <3
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