Hope

Matagal na panahon na ang lumipas noong huling beses kong tangkain na sumulat. Matapos ng mga ilang unsuccessful submissions, problema sa aking tunay na career at maging sa personal na buhay ay nagising nalang ako isang umaga na hindi ko na mahanap sa sarili ko na magsulat ng istorya. Ginupo ako ng galit, lungkot at panghihinayang. 

Hindi ko alam kung paano at saan magsisimula. Laging nasaisip ko na "he destroyed me and stole everything from me." Pero dinaan ko ang lahat sa dasal. Hanggang unti-unti ay natutunan kong magpakatatag muli at makipagsapalaran sa buhay.

One step at a time, kaya ko 'to, dahan-dahan lang, paunti-unti ay matatapos rin ang paghihirap. Ngayon ay natagpuan ko ang aking mga kamay na tila may sariling pag-iisip. Muli, nae-express ko ang sarili ko sa pagsusulat. Na-realize ko na kailangan simulan ko sa aking sarili ang pagbabago at pagiging kuntento sa kung anong meron ako.

No one has the right to steal my confidence and my happiness. Mahal ko ang sarili ko at mula ngayon ay walang makapagpapabago nito.

How to Describe Character Traits of Hero and Heroine

     How should I describe the hero and heroine of my story? This question crosses our mind when we write romance novels. I remember one of my returned manuscripts. One of the comments of the editor was, "kulang sa description ang mga bida." From a readers point of view, it adds up interest if they could somehow draw a picture of the persons they are reading in their mind.

    

      Sinubukan kong mag-isip ng paraan kung paano mas mapapadali ang pagde-descibe sa itsura ng mga tauhan sa istorya. Malaking tulong ang article na ito (I-click lang ang link): How to Describe Believable Character Traits for Hero, Heroine Villains, http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/writing/how-to-describe-believable-novel-character-traits-for-hero-heroine-villains.html

      Kapag iprine-present natin ang mga katangian ng mga tauhan sa istorya, lalo na ng sa bidang lalaki at babae, hindi naman ibig sabihin ay sa Chapter 1 palang naroon na lahat ng character traits nila. Sa Chapter 1 or sa 'cute meet part' na kung saan magkikita na ang mga bida doon palang ay maari na natin sila ilarawan upang sa gayon sa unang bahagi pa lamang ng kuwento ay may mukha na ang mga bida sa imagination ng mga readers.

     Habang gumagalaw na ang story; habang lumalakbay na tayo sa mga susunod na chapters, pwedeng unti-unting i-reveal ang iba pang describing words para sa mga tauhan ng istorya. Tulad ng edad, kung saan nag-aaral o nagtra-trabaho, family backgroud, mga likes at dislikes nila at iba pang paglalarawan na kinakailangan ilahad sa nobela.

     Makakatulong ring mag-search ng larawan na maaring gawing inspirasyon sa pagde-describe sa mga story characters. Tuald nito:

     Ito ang "inspiration" ko sa ginagawa kong nobela ngayon. Ang love story nina Migs at Liz. Sana ay matapos ko na ito. (yiheee...)

     Happy writing!

Coffee and Milk Tea

Kasama na sa buhay ko ang kape. Lahat na lang yata idinadahilan ko makainom lang niyan. Tulad nalang nito...Kailangan kong uminom ng kape kasi:

1. Inaantok ako
2. Balak kong magpuyat mamayang gabi hanggang madaling araw
3. Wala akong ganang kumain
4. Nalulungkot ako
5. Kailangan ko i-treat ang sarili ko

Walang pattern, no? Lahat na lang ginawang dahilan? Maybe all I wanted to say is I can't live without coffee...And milk tea na rin. Dati ayoko ng tea amoy at lasang "dahon" kasi. Ha-ha. Pero dahil maraming masasarap na Milk Tea na naging uso ngayon...Aba isali na yan sa list of favorite drinks

Ice Mocha with extra shot of espresso and raspberry syrup

Iced Mocha

Choco Java Chip Frap with Banofee pie

Asian Dolce Latte

Hot Caramel Macchiato

           

Toffee nut and Brewed coffee

                       

 Milk Tea...

Wintermelon

Okinawa

Mango Milk Green Tea

 'Hope you enjoyed my beverage picture gallery. Hanggang sa muli!

Sending a Manuscript

Sending a Manuscript

     One day you came to a realization that… “I want to be a writer”. Then, you get to read a love story or a romance novel and say to yourself, “Hey, I can write one of these.” I know, I know how you feel because it happened to me. I realized way back then that I want to write a romance novel. 

     To those who have been reading PHR novels, on the first few pages of the book you can see there that Precious Pages Corp. is inviting all aspiring Tagalog Romance Writers to prepare a manuscript with 23,000 to 24,000 words divided in 10 chapters. Once you’re done writing your manuscript, the first thing that comes to your mind is to send it right away. I’ve been there, the moment I finished writing, I composed an email, attached my work and hit “send.”

     NO. That’s wrong. After completing the required word count, what we’re supposed to do is to give our MS a “vacation.” It is advised not to read our work for a few weeks or months. The objective is to make it “new” in our own eyes as if we are to read somebody else’s book. This activity will help us be more critical of our work as a writer and will make us less “attached” to our book. In this case, editing will be easier. Editing your own work will mean removing unnecessary scenes and dialogues. Even, removing chapters and worse starting all over again.

     You see, before we send our work and expect an editor to read it, we must be happy reading our own work first. We must believe in the beauty of the story we made. To all of aspiring writers, who are sending me queries on how to send their manuscript…Give your MS a break. Later on, revisit your work and edit it.

     When you think you’re ready to send it, compose an email with the subject: Manuscript for Evaluation. Here’s the email address of PHR: ed2rialstaff@yahoo.com. You’ll receive an email reply that an editor has received your MS. You may also text your name, title of manuscript and subject of your email to: 09109854715.

     Thank you for visiting. Happy writing!

Precious Pages Warehouse Sale

Precious Grand Warehouse Sale

Dahil sa isa akong pocketbook / Tagalog romance novel addict ay naligayahan ako nang makita ko ito sa Facebook fan page ng Precious Pages. Alam ko na hindi ako nag-iisa. Sigurado ako, maraming "pb addict" na gaya ko. Kaya ano pa ang hinihintay niyo? Tara na!

PPC Warehouse, Biak na Bato, SFDM, QC

PRECIOUS PAGES CORPORATION
83 Sgt. E. Rivera St., San Francisco del Monte
Brgy. Manresa 1115, Quezon City, Philippines

Tel. No.: 414-6188
fax No.: 367-6222
Email Address: admin@phr.com.ph

 

Keep Inspired

Everyone needs an inspiration. Writers do! I agree that writers need more inspiration than anyone else...to keep them writing. Writers need inspiration and encouragement; without those it'll be difficult to accomplish a book, a poem, a novel or just anything.

When I ran out of reasons to believe that I am a writer I visit websites that will give me a little push. Here try this: Inspiring Quotes for writers.

Whenever I could get away from work or stay up very late at night until early dawn, I would try to combine words, form a poem or weave a story.It is not always easy of course. Most of the time I find myself just staring at my laptop. When this happens I have to divert my attention to other hobbies that will inspire me and lead me back to my writer self.

I have a bead collection in one of my storage boxes. This was given to me by my hubby a couple of Christmases ago. I gave it a serious look and here's what I've done: 

I made mini rosaries for my brother and sister-in-law both working in Singapore (that's why I placed them in small pouches). I made some for me and my hubby, for my boys Ian and Allen, for my Nanay and Tatay and for my cousin Monica. I also created simple bead bracelets for my office mates. I feel pleased looking at my work and just like those creations I feel optimistic that those beads will be like words ending up in a romance novel.

When tapping my fingers on the keyboard is a little bit boring...what's fun about being a girl is:

Well, a  simple source of inspiration! ☺

But that's not all...

Long hours of writing for me, will mean cup after cup of bitter-sweet coffee...

There is no shortcut to the road to success...and so I learned to take one step at a time and savor each bitter-sweet moment.

Q&A Portion

Magandang umaga sa lahat ng walang sawang bumibisita sa My Romance Novels. Pasensiya na sa madalas na pagiging late ng mga sagot ko sa inyong mga katanungan. Madalas ay busy po ang inyong lingkod sa kanyang tunay na propesyon. Mahirap maging aspiring writer at working mom. Parang magkaibang planeta ang ginagalawan (hahaha...)
Anyway, ito na po isa-isahin ko po ang pagsagot sa inyong mga questions:
 

Anonymous said... tanong ko lang po , kung pwede na po bang magpasa ng manuscript ang isang 16 years old ?
 

Yes maaring magpasa ang 16 years old. Walang age requirement mula bata hanggang matanda pwedeng pwede basta't prosang romansa po ang ipapasa ninyo.

Anonymous said... hello! I'm a newbie and I am planning to submit a manuscript sa PHR. I just wanna ask kung paano po makaka-acquire ng pen name? gusto ko kasing gumamit ng pen name. :) hope you'll respond. thank you! :)    

 

Kapag na-appove na ang MS ay puwedeng mag-request ng pen name...sasabihan ka na magpasa ng list of pen names na gusto mo (not sure if 3 or 5) at doon ay pipili sila ng isa na maari mong gamitin exclusive with PHR once in-assign sa iyo ang pen name na iyon hindi mo iyon maaring gamitin sa ibang publications...siyempre parang courtesy kasi sa kanila iyon at identification na rin
  

Anonymous said... kelangan po ba talaga makaattend ng seminars o workshop pag natanggap ung sinulat mo? :) 

Hindi po... Kaya sulat lang ng sulat at ipasa mo na kapag confident ka na :)

Anonymous said... hi po, ms. cristine. Tanong ko lang po kung ano ung subject of your em-ail na ise-send mo sa kanila through text? iyon pa kasi ang hindi ko maintindihan. Salamat po.
 

Subject: Manuscript for Evaluation

Anonymous said... Hi, i want to submit also. mabilis ba silang mag-reply? thanks.

Yes, mabilis sila mag-reply  

 Anonymous said... hello.. hannah kaith po ito.. I'm aspiring writer.. malapit na akong matapos sa MS ko.. I'm from Gensan.. paano ko po malaman na napublished na ang MS ko..? please advice me.. since napakalayo ko from Mindanao.. Ms. Christine bigyan mo ako ng inspirational message kahit nasa malayo ako ay mabigayan ninyo ako ng encouragement for being aspiring writer.. I love PHR! I hope PHR could love me too.. GOD BLESS to all staff of PHR.. sana mabigyan pansin ang Novel ko..

lahat tayo ay love ang PHR at ang magagaling na writers na sina Ms. Angel, Ms. Sofia, Rose Tan, Martha Cecilia, Sonia Francesca, Vanessa, Belle Feliz, Princess Faye, Yna Paulina, Heart Yngrid and naku napakarami pang iba. Tulad mo ay wish ko rin maging gaya nila kaya patuloy akong nagsusulat...sana ay palarin balang araw. kahit nasa malayo ka ay okay lang yan email mo lang yan. Pagna-approve na yang MS mo ay inform mo sa kanila na malayo ka...baka pwede kayong magkaroon ng agreement about terms of payment example baka puwede through your personal bank account ipadala. Alam ko may writer na naka-base sa Japan kaya sigurado puwede yang case mo mo na yan. happy writing Hannah Kaith

 Kc Marie said...If na approved na ba yung manuscript mo.? May matatanggap ka bang income? 

Yes Kc Marie meron 
 
Aivan Reigh Vivero said...
Hi guys! Hindi ko na kayo iisa-isahin. :) Pero gusto kong magbigay ng 'tip' kunu sa inyo. I'm Aivan Reigh and I submitted my manuscript last November 2012 and got the editor's feedback on December, of the same year. It was approved - fortunately. But before I got my first approved MS, nagkaroon muna ako ng lumalagapak na REJECT. It wasn't easy... but I took it by heart. I learned from the rejection. Sinunod ko ang mga pointers na ibinigay ng editor, that's why I got my second MS approved.

Sa mga nagbabalak magpasa, mas maigi kung less ang English. Okay naman kasi ang pure Tagalog. Lalung-lalo na sa kagaya ko na di naman magaling mag-Ingles. Minsan kasi, doon pa nagkakaproblema "too-much English" daw.

At yung tungkol sa edad, kesehodang 10 years old ka lang, as long as may kakayahan kang magsulat ng naaayon sa format ng PHR, aba'y pasok ka sa banga kaibigan.

At ang pinakamabisang tip na maibibgay ko sa inyo guys, magbasa kayo ng magbasa para mas matuto kayo ng tamang formula. Naaaral naman lahat ng bagay.

At ngayon pa lang, matuto na kayong bumaybay ng mga salita ng BUO. Iwasang gumaya sa mga JEJEMON. Jejejeje. Dapat ngayon pa lang, mahalin mo na ang bawat letra. Kasi ang mga letrang ito ang bubuo ng mga salitang magagamit mo sa isang pangungusap na siya namaang bubuo ng kwentong magpapayaman sayo. :)

So ayun, magsama-sama na tayo sa pagpapayaman. Hehehe. Hanggang dito na lang muna. Mag se-seven AM na pala ng umaga, matutulog pa lang ako. Hehe.

Kung may tanong kayo, email niyo lang ako, try kong saguting lahat ng mga tanong niyo. Ito email ko: iamaivanreigh@gmail.com

At pwede niyo ring dalawin ang site ko kung trip niyong maumay sa mga kabaliwan ko. Hahaha.

Good morning guys! Keep on writing! ^_^

Anonymous said... pdf file ba ang dapat i-send o talagang MS word lang ang gagamitin??? Pano ang copy rights issue??? Plagiarism and stuff??? Secured ba yung story namin if ever na ireject Sya???

Yes MS word ang gagamitin. maari mong i-email ang concern na iyan sa PHR mismo sila ang makakasagot niyan

Gidget said... I'm planning on submitting a manuscript sa PHR. Ano ang requirement nila sa font na gagamitin, line spacing and margin? Thank you. 

 

1 inch ang margin, 12 ang font size, Times New Roman, double space...

Anonymous said... kung malayo yung location mo,pano ka po ba mababayaran incase accepted yong MS mo?

Same answer I've given to Hannah Kaith you could talk to PHR about that siguro puwede through bank account nila ideposit ang payment kapag na-approve ang MS mo.

Ayan ay natapos na ang ating tanungan portion. Good luck to all of us. Sana bago manlang matapos itong taong 2013 ay marami na sa atin ang may approved manuscripts na. God bless you all and thank you again for dropping by. 

My First 2013 Blog Post

     Hi to all of you guys out there who are reading my blog. Thank you so much for your time, though I become an inactive participant in the blogosphere every now and then. Thank you for joining me in 2012. That year was memorable to me. Year 2012 is a time when I really wanted to have an approved manuscript. It's the time when I am in a hurry to write. I had my taste of returned manuscripts at that time but I remained strong and hopeful up to this very day. I still write but I keep it slow this time. I read more now too. I am more outgoing now and I meet up with friends and get to meet real writers when given a chance. Life is sweeter when you savor each moment.

     I would like to say sorry to those who kept on sending their queries through my blog but failed to answer on time. Now, let me start as I answer some Frequently Asked Questions.

1. Clarify ko lang po I am not yet part of PHR. I am also an aspiring writer like most of you out there. 

2. Required age for submitting manuscripts - Wala pong age requirement. As long as kaya ninyong magsulat ng nobela na romance ang tema at may 23,000 to 24,000 words at nakapaloob sa minimum of 10 chapters ay maari po kayong mag-submit ng manuscript.

3. Email address. Makakatulong po kung magbabasa kayo ng PHR pocketbooks. Sa ganoong paraan ay malalaman ninyo kung saan (address)  ipapadala ang inyong nobela. At matutuhan ninyo rin ang style ng pagkakasulat ng mga nobela ng PHR.

4. Subject na ilalagay sa email na ise-send: Manuscript for Evaluation.

5. Hindi pre-requisite ang workshop para makapagpasa. Kahit hindi nakapag-workshop ay puwedeng magpasa ng ms.

6. Para sa mga nasa malayo. You can submit your work through email.

7. Payment. Siyempre po ay may kaukulang halaga kayong matatanggap kapag approved ang manuscript. 

Sana makatulong ang ilang mga kasagutan na nilagay ko dito. Keep on reading and writing!

My 2013 Starbucks Planner Story

     My first attempt to have a Starbucks planner was way back 2006. It was introduced to me by a former colleague. However, I failed to get one at that time. I wasn't that tough on drinking coffee and so, I had a hard time completing the required number of stickers. My next attempt was last year (2011) and luckily it was a success. Thanks to my office mates, my hubby and friends. This year, I started off early. I've been collecting stickers since first week of November. By second week of December I redeemed my green Starbucks planner and availed of a Starbucks pen for additional cost of P195. Other available colors are white and black.

     Let me show you my 2013 Starbucks Planner Story:

     Enjoy!

     There you have it. How about you, what's your 2013 Starbucks Planner story?

Manuscript, Third Submission

This is my third time to submit a manuscript. Wish me luck. I hope I get it this time!

Untitled

     I've finished another manuscript. This time, I am not too excited to submit it anymore. I am planning to spend more time in the 'editing part', perhaps longer than what I've spent in my previous ms. Stayed away from this recently finished ms for like a week, so I guess I am ready to face it and read it as if I wasn't the one who wrote it.

     

     My plan is to submit it next week... Then, cross my fingers that things will turn out better this time. I really don't know if I am really meant to be a romance writer. Sometimes I doubt myself, yes I really do. Even if I am at times very vocal about how I go through my stories I still wonder why. Why do I wake up early in the morning finding myself itching to scribble something in my notebook? Why do I have to stop by the nearest food court or find a decent place to sit down and write words cluttering my thoughts? Why do I have this crazy imagination? I even have a feeling that I am weird and I don't belong with the workforce I am included in.

     Just a thought. I guess I have to talk less about my dream and keep most of the details to myself. I feel kinda hurt seeing the blank expression on the faces of the people I am talking to. Looking at me like I am talking about 'the impossible'. Is getting published (in my case) impossible? Maybe I am just pressuring myself too much about getting published. For now, I just have to keep on dreaming, WRITING and praying that wishes still do come true.

Untitled

Today is one of those days when I just want to turn to my quiet self. That suddenly occurs to me in certain occasions when I don’t want to hear too much noise. Noise. Yes, noise; that’s what people around me create when they talk almost at the same time. I don’t know why there are people who want to always be heard like they’re from some group of geniuses or something.

I have come to this realization that I might be sending the wrong message. These people talk about me in several instances and sort of describe me as some simple-minded, no ambition and totally weak human being. They call my name in a pathetic way like they’re calling the attention of a three year-old kid. If I were a book, I won’t be easy to read. So, why are those ‘geniuses’ out there assuming that they know me that well?

People don’t win friends by waking up in the morning and offering a sachet of instant coffee. That could be a start. Kind gestures can be a start of friendship that can last a lifetime. In the contrary, to expect too much from someone is not a wise decision. That’s a lesson I learned from being observant by how people around me talk and act. Too bad I adapted the habit of imitating and making fun of another person’s mannerism. Yes, I admit I can be really cruel when I make fun of someone behind his back. But I can be the sweetest thing next to cotton candy.

Contentment is earned in time. It’s funny how some try to break my ‘I’m satisfied wall’ bombarding me with endless lectures of the ‘technical stuff’ even when it’s not necessary to discuss it. It’s obvious to me how these guys just want to show off. They’re pathetic insecure creatures without a life of their own. Life. I’m tempted to say: Back off I’m living my life.  

Keep on Writing

     That's what I am holding on to right now -- I have to keep on writing. I have submitted a manuscript two weeks ago and was informed thru email that it is not yet good for publishing. Many parts of my work have to be changed. The problem mainly has something to do with the plot and the conflict of the story....too common as per the editor. I made a mental note that the status of my manuscript is "for overhaul" funny I know. 

     Nobody said that there is an easy way to be a writer, the world should have been full of writers by now. I have read a few stories about successful romance writers. Their journey was not easy, many of their novels have been rejected by different publications before they become published writers. One thing was common from what I have read about them -- They never gave up. They just kept on writing until they got to where they wanted to be. Dreams are made to motivate us and lead us to a specific direction. 

     After two unsuccessful submissions, I don't know why there is a part of me that doesn't want to let go of the dream to be a romance writer. I imagine scenes and dialogues I have to put into words. I should be content with my current job. At my age, I should be looking into a head start in my career but my entire being is shouting NO. I should be satisfied with what we normally talk about in the workplace but it gives me a feeling that "I'm trapped." Weaving stories gives me happiness no one I bump into everyday can fully understand. Call me weird, call my mind cluttered but for now all I know is...I have to keep on writing.

How does getting rewarded through sharing sounds like to you? Join #phchurpchurp today and bring more friends to the community!

How does getting rewarded through sharing sounds like to you? Join #phchurpchurp today and bring more friends to the community!

Precious Pages Corporation Summer Writing Workshop Aftermath

      Not a single word in the dictionary can describe how I exactly felt on this event. The Precious Pages Corporation Summer Writing Workshop really moved me. The speakers are very helpful and patient in sharing everything a romance novelist should know. 

Ms. Edith Garcia

Mr. Boots Pastor

     I will not disclose here the reading materials shared to us during the workshop to show my genuine appreciation and respect to all of the organizers. You have to attend the next workshop (next year) to have your own copy of the slides. I took pictures of the slides and jotted in my notebook pointers shared by the speakers: Ms. Edith and Mr. Boots. You can get reading materials from other sources. Search the web or drop by the nearest bookstore and you'll surely get a book suitable for your need. But I assure you that you won't get the same experience as we workshop participants did.

     So just allow me to share the experience and as you go along I hope that next year, you will be inspired to attend the event. The two-day workshop started with the registration where we paid P400, signed the attendance sheet and were given a name tag. When we were settled, we started with a prayer and shortly introduced ourselves. I initially felt awkward and a bit old with that part. It served me well though, I somehow felt glad being around different people. Ms. Edith discussed more about romance, the heart of the romance writer, understanding romance novels. Mr. Boots shared more on the technical aspect of the job as a romance writer. He spoke with thorough experience in film and television and opened our eyes to the world of novel writing in a wider view. He has given depth in our understanding of romance novels. 

Mr. Segundo Matias Jr.

     Mr. Matias was hilarious, we went laughing almost non-stop. His topic was about Ethics of a Writer (for Precious Pages). The tips and rules he shared though, should be kept in mind by a writer working in wherever publishing company.

     On the 2nd day, afternoon part of the workshop was graced by Ms. Angel Bautista.  She shared her journey in becoming a PHR writer. She leaded a Q&A portion and answered each question with much gusto. She is so candid in sharing her experiences. It has been very inspiring listening to her. She ended her talk with book signing and picture taking session.

L-R: me, Ms. Angel and Ma'am Ging

Book Signing

L-R: My good friend Janette and Ms. Angel

     We were not yet awarded with certificates. We have to accomplish a manuscript and be able to submit on or before October. Meeting this requirement will allow us to join their Christmas party and be awarded with a certificate of participation of the held workshop. I do look forward to the chance of accomplishing a manuscript. It must be great to party and mingle with real writers. I am crossing my fingers that I can submit an acceptable manuscript. To all of the participants, good luck to all of us.

Summer Writing Workshop

     I received this text message this afternoon. I'm attending the PHR Summer Writing Workshop! I'm so glad my friend and I made it. To all of the other applicants who passed the screening, congratulations and see you on May 11 and 12.

Precious Hearts Romances Summer Writing Workshop Screening

     My friend and I went to Precious Pages Corporation Main Office at #83 Sgt. E. Rivera (along C-3 Road), Quezon City. PHR will be having a Summer Writing Workshop scheduled on May 11, 12 and 13. Prior to the workshop they are holding a screening for interested participants. 

     We had a difficult time looking for the place. From V. Mapa, Manila we took a jeepney going to Quezon Avenue. We take off at Jollibee Quezon Avenue and took another jeepney going to Sgt. E. Rivera. We made a mistake of not looking closely at the address numbers. This lead us to Sgt. E. Rivera St. corner A. Bonifacio. We walked by going back and looking at the address numbers. Wheew! 

     Our screening started by having to answer a personal information sheet. Then, we were given a short exam. The examination part was something both of us were not prepared for. However, is a great experience. It was my first time to get in a publications house and see tons of books being prepared for final binding, packing and distribution. I could still remember the smell of ink. 

     I hope my friend and I will qualify to attend the workshop. Miss Jane Constantino told us she will just inform us thru our contact numbers. 

     For interested participants deadline of screening is on April 25, 2012.

Bud Brothers by Rose Tan

Additional pocketbooks for my Bud Brothers Collection:

Wedding: Alvin and Rochelle Cruz

     Aside from gift giving and series of parties on the merry month of December, romance also is in the air. Some lovers find December a perfect month to tie the knot. Just like my brother-in-law Alvin and his beautiful wife Rochelle. They got married on a rainy Saturday afternoon, December 17, 2011 at Our Lady of the Abandoned Church in San Roque, Marikina City. The title of my blog is My Romance Novels and weddings are present in some if not most romance novels. 

      The message of the priest to the couple was "magsama kayo sa hirap at sa ginhawa." We always hear this during weddings and the phrase means that the couple should stay together in sickness and in wealth...in bad times and good times...in sorrow and gladness.

    Ang masasabi ko ay nawa'y isabuhay ng mag-asawa ang tinurang mga katagang yaon: magsama sa hirap at sa ginhawa. Ang mag-asawa ay dapat magsama ng matapat hindi dapat makisama ang babae dahil siya ang napahalo sa pamilya ng lalaki at nabigyan ng bagong apelyido. Hindi din dapat ang lalaki lamang ang makisama dahil lamang sa paggalang sa babae. Magsama ang salitang ginamit upang magpahiwatig ng pantay na pagtanggap at pagmamahal sa isa't isa. Naunang banggitin ang salitang hirap bago ang salitang ginhawa dahil tunay na ang karamihan kapag nakakatikim ng kaginhawaan ay nakalilimot na kailangan rin magsakripisyo-- maghirap. 

Classic example:

     Wife prepares dinner and sets the table. She lovingly calls her husband. He goes straight to the dinner table and eats his share. He later stands up leaves his dirty plates, spoon and fork and goes back to watch his favorite show on television. Wife gathers the dirty dishes and washes them. Later she cleans the kitchen.

     The same scene takes place day by day. The poor wife does all the sacrifice and the husband constantly gets his taste of being treated as king. I hope after the wedding, when all the colorful garments and decors are put away. Husband and wife will equally share the word sacrifice.

Congratulations Alvin and Rochelle