Ka-Blog!

In the midst of the killings and pitiless persecution
against progressives, media persons and civilians, some friends and comrades paused
a while to celebrate love. It was Len
Olea and Fred Dabu’s wedding last August 31.

       The lovers
longed to be wed for so long. Their
nuptials have been postponed several times already. Both are fellow activists and writers. Len is also fighting her greatest battle to
save her mom from cancer with Fred providing unshakeable support. To get married in the midst of unrest are
only for brave lovers.

        Len and Fred
are.

        Pom and I,
along with many others, were committed to help to make the couple’s wedding their
happiest day. But we did not know when
to go full blast with our own plans for them. We finally got word that it would definitely push through three days
before the wedding.

        We had no
choice but to do our best despite the short notice. My wife conscripted my father in law to
prepare his incomparable biko for the
reception. She even crafted a special
necklace for the bride to wear to the rites but somehow it wasn’t given on
time.

       Ilang-Ilang
Quijano took time off to chaperon Len to two malls on two straight days to shop
for a wedding dress. This is no little
sacrifice given Ilang’s own hectic schedule. In the two times they went shopping though, guess who bought more
clothes. But a sexy white dress was taken
off the racks in time nonetheless. Ilang
was also Len’s, uh, stylist and photographer on the big day. Future paralegal and Ilang chaperon Julius
Matibag was tasked to buy pancit for
the reception.  He absented himself from
his law classes and job to attend the wedding.

       Trusty Batik
was utilized to fetch the bride’s family from where they met up having come
from different locations.

       My Kodao
colleagues and I hastened to fix up the reception area, using wilting roses and
baby’s breath flowers. Risa Jopson
livened the place even more by putting flowers on the window grills. Felix Latuna set up the sound system while
Ariel Saturay burned a collection of progressive love songs on a CD. Ariel and I tried to video-document the
proceedings but the batteries gave out on us.

       At the QC
Justice Hall, the judge who presided over the rites had halting English but was
romantic herself, embellishing the proceedings by proffering her own marriage
vows. The couple politely said yes to
her unsolicited offer and repeated after her. The courtroom was full with friends and family, warming the couple’s
heart no end.

       As with all
weddings, a relative just had to pop a surprise to try to grab a share the
limelight. An aunt insisted on treating
both of Len and Fred’s families to an impromptu meal at a nearby Chinese
restaurant despite the fact that nearly a hundred well-wishers were already
restlessly waiting for them at the Bayan conference room.

       Two hours later
they finally arrived. Averting more
grumblings, the couple agreed to have their guests partake of the potluck food
before the program. As I assured Len that
enough food would be brought by their friends and families, there were indeed
enough for everyone and then some. 

       I would like
to commend the current CEGP for preparing and presiding over a short enough
program. They even braved through two
songs to serenade the newlyweds. Sweet-voiced
Sarah Birong offered a song, accompanied on guitar by Nato Reyes. But my favorite part was when Len’s brother
sang the couple’s favorite song, Madonna’s “Crazy for You”. He asked the couple to give each other a kiss
whenever the word “crazy” was sung. Hoots
and gales of laughter greeted their every kiss. Nakarami si Len kay Fred that
time.

        Unbeknownst to
the couple, I asked each guest to pitch in for a hotel room for their first
night as husband and wife. I made them
believe that they will spend it at our new dorm. Everyone was in on the surprise but them.

        Len and Fred
never suspected anything. When they saw
Ilang and Jules, who we asked to go there earlier, entering the hotel they
actually believed that Ilang and Jules were going to check in! Ehehehe! But our ruse was worth it. The look on Len and Fred’s unbelieving faces
when we gave them the room key was nearly worth gma’s ouster.

        I am in no
position to divulge what happened in that room that night. But today, Len looked radiant as she clung to
Fred’s arm when they dropped by the office. Well, you know what they say about…

    Mabuhay si Len at Fred! And long live lovers everywhere!