I proposed. The original plot was to do it
at the National Museum in Manila, since
Ana is a history buff and professor. Juan
Luna’s Spoliarium was the main attraction
at the museum, so my game plan was
simple: to hire some friend-actors, give the
wedding ring box to her, kneel a little bit in
front of the colossal painting, expect some
drama, go home and take a good and long
rest. However, things don’t usually go the
way we planned them. When we entered
the museum, we were informed that the
museum had been temporarily closed due
to a blackout. The entire Padre Burgos
Avenue was down! As such, they had to
stop the museum operations until the
power goes up and running. Oh no, abort
the mission! Abort the mission!
we’re seriously taking our studies. Ana graduated
from the University of the Philippines (UP)
Diliman, with a degree in education, magna cum
laude. She eventually took and easily passed the
board exams, and ranked 2nd nationwide. Damn,
an extremely brilliant head. I was so proud of
her achievements (and I still am presently), and
my admiration and utmost respect for her grew
exponentially. Her brother, who was also my
school competition buddy back in high school,
graduated from UP Diliman too with a degree in
engineering, summa cum laude. Monster! Both of
them become my inspiration in working hard and
being the best that I can be. I studied hard, got my
own share of recognition upon graduation, passed
the Philippine CPA board exams and landed a
career at my dream company, SGV & Co. We
started dating when we became professionals,and
traveled the Philippines together. I eventually
moved to the US in December 2011 to explore
the world, the same time when our relationship
turned into a deeper, romantic one. Technology
and social media played an important role in
our day-to-day communications. We have been
constantly in touch and connected through
Skype, Facebook, Between, among others. Since
we’re both extremely busy in our own fields, longdistance relationship worked well for us and gave
us the reasons to become even more excited with
each other. Also, sending love letters from time
to time has been a common place for us. Years
from now, reading those letters would surely bring
back timeless memories and continually evoke
the burning flames of love.
The Proposal Adventure
Ana and I were together for three years when
I decided to pop the question. I was still in the
US when I planned for the proposal, bought
the engagement ring (and the wedding rings)
and braced myself for the outcome. I was really
determined to level up our relationship, and since
I felt that she’s also ready. It was on December
14, 2014, the same day I arrived in Manila, when
Well, since it’s me, I don’t usually easily
give up. I told her that we should try to go
to a nearby historic place and enjoy our moments
together. Today is our first day of being together
again, you know. So we took a sidecar trip to
Intramuros, Manila. I can’t exactly remember
how many times we’ve been to that historic
and oldest district center of Manila before, but
giving it another try won’t be too much. While
we’re touring, my mind was already unstoppably
thinking of Plan B. Well, it didn’t take that much
longer before I was able to determine my next
course of action. Brace yourself, bebeko. The
best is yet to come!
I told the driver to make sure we stop by Fort
Santiago, one of the famous sites in Intramuros.
I told Ana that we should try the horse carriage
ride (karitela in Tagalog) together and tour around
the Fort for a few minutes. The coach we rented
is typically used for wedding pictorials. Okay, so
we’re inside now, sitting in front of each other, and
enjoying the ride of our life. I then took something
out of my camera bag, and asked her to open it;
I told her it’s a gift. She opened it and found a
pocke t-sized, hardbound book. She looked at me
obviously bewildered, especially when I told her
to read the book right away. Her thinking, of all
places, you really want me to read it now, as in
now?! Since I was very persistent, I kept insisting
that she open the book, while she kept fighting
back and trying to make sense of the situation.
After a few more tries, she gave up and opened
the book to the very first page—the page where
you’d put your name as the owner, or the name
of the person you’d like to give the book to, the
date and any dedication. But what made her
even more puzzled and that will make her tearyeyed in the next few seconds was the message
I wrote down there, something like, “I’d like to
ask you a certain question, and I won’t take no
for an answer”. And then I instantaneously took
another thing out of my bag, this time, something
familiar to most people. I opened the small jewelry
box and have her stare at the engagement ring