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A Rainbow after the Storm
(Rene Saguisag Jr. - Jackie Crisologo wedding)
by Jonathan Dionisio
January - March 2009
Couples usually start planning
for their wedding a year in advance to ensure that every wedding
detail is prepared .In the case of Rene ‘Rebo’
Saguisag, Jr. and Jackie Crisologo, they had prepared everything
but something took place which no one could ever prepare for.
‘Rebo’ and Jackie
were classmates at the Ateneo Law School from 1999-2003 and
started dating in November of 2001 during their junior year.
After four and a half years, the two were engaged on August
of 2006. “No special proposal,” recalls Jackie,
“we just talked about it and decided to have a Tagaytay
wedding.”
The two booked the Caleruega
Chapel and the Sampaguita Ballroom of Taal Vista Hotel for
December 22, 2007. From then on, they started booking other
suppliers and by the end of October 2007, they were all set
for their special day. But something unexpected happened which
tested their relationship and their faith in the Lord.
In the wee hours of November
8, 2007, newsrooms of newspapers, radio, and television stations
were awaken by the news that Rebo’s father, former senator
Renato ‘Rene’ Saguisag, his wife, former Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary Dulce Quintans
– Saguisag, and two other companions were figured in
a vehicular incident at the intersection of Arnaiz Avenue
(formerly Pasay Road) and Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway).
Minutes after, rescuers arrived at the scene only to find
Mrs. Saguisag with no pulse and heartbeat while the former
senator had serious head injury and fractured ribs, among
other things.
Sen. Saguisag was initially
brought to the Ospital ng Makati before being indorsed to
the Makati Medical Center (MMC). For three weeks, the former
senator was confined at the Intensive Care Unit of MMC. When
he started responding to the treatment; Rebo and his family
decided not to tell his father about the tragic fate of his
mother. As for the couple, they have decided to postpone the
wedding indefinitely. Jackie had to write their wedding suppliers,
one by one, and explained the situation to them. Most were
gracious enough to understand and gave them a refund since
the couple has handed down payments for all of them.
As the eldest, Rebo took
care of everything – from attending to his father’s
needs to the interment of her mother. Jackie, on the other
hand, like Mrs. Dulce was to Sen. Saguisag, served as his
‘crutch’ during this time. In the morning, she
would accompany him in the hospital until the afternoon. In
the evening, they would stay at the wake until dawn to receive
guests and other family members who were extending their condolences.
At times, Rebo would pour out his sentiment to Jackie and
she saw how strong, like his father, her fiancé was
as he handled the tragedy admirably.
On December 8, 2007, Sen.
Saguisag was discharged from the hospital. On the same date,
the two, after due consultation with the Senator, decided
to push through with the wedding on Dec. 22, 2007 as everyone
believed that it was what Rebo’s mother would wanted.
It was agreed, however, that it would be a simple affair.
Since they have cancelled
their original plans, the couple ended up planning all over
again. Ms. Crisologo recall, “Those 2 weeks were the
most frantic and stressful in our lives, but well worth it.
We will forever be grateful to our friends and relatives for
helping and supporting us all throughout. Without them the
wedding would not have turned out as perfectly as it did.
We will likewise be forever grateful to our principal sponsors
who were able to attend despite short notice.”
The couple chose to have
the wedding ceremony at Rebo’s parish church, St. Joseph
the Worker Parish, in Palanan, Makati. Jackie asked Armilyn
Modelo, whose shop is just conveniently a few blocks away
from her house, to make her bridal gown which was finished
in seven (7) days. “It was a sleeveless dress with no
train and veil, made of ivory duchess satin and with pearls
and beads on the V-neckline, “Ms. Crisologo describes.
Rebo, on the other hand, wore a Nono Palmos coat – barong.
At the church, they opted not to do the bridal procession
and walked together straight to the front.
The garage of the Saguisag
residence was transformed into a "garden venue"
for the reception. L & C Catering served the food as guests
were entertained by acoustic band, Arko, and Rebo himself.
Traditional wedding programs were removed and had few speeches
from family and friends instead.
“The most special
and memorable to us” shares the couple,” was the
fact that Rebo’s dad was present, and even gave a short
speech, at our wedding, which was short of a miracle. On the
other hand, we sorely missed Rebo’s mom, who had been
so excited and who had planned the wedding with us every step
of the way.”
The newlyweds spent their
honeymoon at Hongkong Disneyland in February 2008.
“Ours is an unusual
wedding story”, Jackie said, “None of our original
plans for the wedding pushed through, but in the end, it was
just getting married in the presence of our loved ones and
closest friends that mattered most.”
A verse of a popular Irish
Prayer spells “for every storm, [there is] a rainbow…”
For Rebo and Jackie, they remained steadfast and overcame
the tragedy that shook the Saguigag family. They may not have
a grandiose wedding, but they were happy. They came before
God with their family and friends who love them, stood by
them and supported them all the way.
With love, a couple shall
be able to withstand storms in life, no matter how devastating
it would be.
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Wedding
Suppliers
Catering - L
& C Catering
Photography
- Nice
Print Photography
Design and Couture
- Bridal Fashion - Armilyn Modelo
- Men's Attire - Nono Palmos
Hair and Make-up Services
- Maris Delos Reyes
Flowers and Event Styling
- Flowers of May
Music and Entertainment
- Musicians - Arko
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Visit Kasal.com
Wedding Resources for the contact details of these suppliers.
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