Lucky circle of Love

(This content originally appeared in my column at the Cebu Goldstar Daily Newspaper)

As the popular song goes, “Lucky I’m in love with my best friend; Lucky to have been where I have been; Lucky to be coming home again”…

Sometimes one has to travel far away to discover that happiness is waiting at home. That’s certainly true for fish dealer and young businessman Mark Edward Nepangue and Singer/Music Teacher Eda Mondigo, who first crossed paths more than 15 years ago when they were still in the same neighborhood. The late Mrs. Nepangue (mark’s mother) spotted Eda first, and was delighted when she learned Eda was almost the same age as her son Mark. Courtship followed as orchestrated by Mark’s mother. A few years later, they fell in love and became a couple. It was never easy for them growing up together and going through a lot in the relationship. They broke up and got back together for several times. The last one hit her hard and made Eda leave the country to work overseas. So she left, then he followed her to win her back (again) – and so the circle goes (again).

After dating again for a year, Mark and Eda spent an evening with Eda’s family for dinner. “Everybody was so happy and seemed excited”. So at the back of my mind I had an idea why and what was going to happen”, smiles Eda. “There was nothing to do on that very moment (everyone important and close to her heart were there gathered) except ask someone to marry you,” chuckles Mark. “I’ll never forget his words,” says Eda. “He said ‘we’ve been through a lot and I know I’ve hurt you before but now I want to prove to you and to your family how much I love you, will you marry me?”, ’ Of course I accepted.”

Mark and Eda had no reason to delay their wedding so in six months, with their family and friends in attendance, they tied the knot. They chose April 24, 2009 as their wedding date.

A glowing Eda arrived at the newly renovated Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral wearing a Jonas Navarro & Lane Dominguez creation. A champagne- colored French lace and silk gown adorned with beads, Swarovski crystals and blush pink cabbage roses and a big bow. Eda’s entourage preceded her, her two maids of honor, six bridesmaids and three flower girls in a combination of royal blue and fuchsia colored gowns. Mark also wore a champagne colored creation of Jonas and Lane which complimented Eda’s gown.

For Mark and Eda, the same deep sense of harmony that had characterized their wedding plans permeated the atmosphere as the ceremony began. “As soon as I walked into the church I felt as if all my nerves lifted. I felt so calm and relaxed and that was confirmation for me that I was doing the right thing, then I started singing my own bridal march song entitled Someone Like You”, recalls Eda.

At the reception, for a very special moment the bride and groom lingered on the dance floor while the bride was serenading the groom again for their first dance. That was specially captured by Lightzone Photographers and Master Videographer Dino Angelo Ojerio. A few moments later the rising tempo caught them up and swept them to the rousing performances of the “On-The-Cover” band headed by Junnie Tampos. The music brought the guests to their feet and everyone broke into joyous dancing. “It was amazing!” exclaims Mark. “It was like a frenzy of excited people.”

On her part, as she looked back on their wedding day, Eda says it seemed utterly surreal. She admits her favorite part was the ceremony. “We both experienced a unique feeling during the ceremony,” she recalls. “It felt climactic, like two souls being joined as one”.

The Team:

Planning & Coordination – Belle Mariée

Bridal Gown & Groom’s Tux – Jonas Navarro

Flowers – Kayes

Photography – Lightzone

Video – Dino Angelo Ojerio

Cake – Alice Aguirre

Make-up – Emme Ayag

Choir – Voices of Praise

Entertainment – On The Cover