When My Bridegroom Comes

More Than I Asked For

2021-02-28T22:31:00.006+08:00

When I was still single and praying for my future spouse, I asked God to help me find someone who even after I get married to him will still let me do many or all of the things I do for God like going to daily Masses, attending prayer meetings, going to Bible studies, serving God using my time, talent and treasure and many more.

God assured me that He will help me find that someone.

I believed in God's promise and took His word.

I'm so glad I did because God's word did not return to Him empty! God fulfilled His promise to me and even exceeded my expectations.

Now, I'm already married and I'm still able to do almost all of the things that I used to do for God when I was still single. There were things that I'm not able to do as often or spend as much time doing as I used to do, but it's not my husband's fault.

It's simply one of the realities and challenges that I needed to face as a mother of young children. I simply do not have a lot of time for personal prayer like I used to have when I was still single.

I'm so glad and thankful to God that while I had plenty of time in my hands and while I was not so busy fulfilling many responsibilities like what I have now, I got to spend a lot of time with God when I was still single.

I'm so blessed because God gave me a husband who does not only allow me to practice my faith in the same ways that I used to do when I was still single, but he also helps me in my ministries. He helps me and enables me to say yes to God's calls to me and His assignments.

This February, my husband did not only approve of me doing a podcast for God. He even studied podcasting with me and for me. He is also helping me with the technical aspects of it. He has been learning this new thing with me since Christmas. He has spent many hours and many nights losing sleep learning about podcasts and working on the post-production of my podcast episodes.

We launched my podcast (Follow God with Teresa Podcast) last Valentine's Day with the first two episodes. That was my husband's Valentine's Day gift to me.

Then, the third episode went live on the first Sunday of Lent and the fourth episode, today, the second Sunday of Lent.

I would not be able to accomplish these things and make my podcast available on my website and on platforms like Spotify, Google and Apple Podcasts if my husband did not help me. In fact, he has been doing more work on this project than me because, I realized, that there are a lot of technical things to do to produce an episode.

When God promised to give me a helpmate, He was indeed serious. Now, I am experiencing the truth of His promise. Now, I'm seeing it and experiencing His word in the flesh through my husband who has been helping me in so many things.

Prior to this podcast, he has been helping by building my websites and blogs and by providing for our family so I do not need to be a breadwinner or so that I do not need to work full-time.

His support is one of the big reasons why I am able to do all that I'm able to do now.

So, on this last day of the Love Month, I'm writing this blog post to honor my husband and to thank him for being the wind beneath my wings, the man behind the scenes, who like Saint Joseph, was a man of few words but has contributed a lot through his actions.

Celebrating our achievement of launching my podcast on Valentine's Day! =)

Thank you so much, Sweetheart, for your great love and many sacrifices! I love you!

If you want to grow closer to God and improve your relationship with Him while waiting for your future bridegroom or even as you live out your life as a married woman, I invite you to follow my podcast Follow God with Teresa. You can listen to it on my website, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Take your pick!

I hope to inspire and help more people through this podcast to love God more and to follow Him.

Wedding Anniversary Reflection: How God Took Away My Shame

2020-12-21T18:24:00.003+08:00

“How good the Lord is to me,” she would say, “now that he has taken away the shame that I have suffered.” (Luke 1:25, Phillips Bible)

This was the Bible verse that struck me when I read the Gospel during our 13th wedding anniversary this year.

I have read this Bible passage countless times but this is the first time that this verse struck me and I would like to share my insights and reflections with you through this blog entry.

When I was still single, many of my relatives, neighbors, officemates, and those who knew me were concerned that I have not yet found a boyfriend or husband yet. I was advancing in years and they were afraid for me that I might marry too late and will not have the chance to still bear children.

Although they meant well, their constant questions made me feel stressed.

Their words made me feel insecure and made me question myself sometimes. Is there something wrong with me? Are my standards too high or unrealistic? Do I need to be friendlier? Am I not pretty enough?

There were times when I felt ashamed that I did not have a boyfriend yet.

I thank God for the grace He has given me to endure those times. I considered those times when I felt lonely and insecure my times of desolation. For many years, it was as if I was in the desert and I was experiencing barrenness. Like Elizabeth, I bore that shame for many years. It was only by the mercy and love of God that I did not give up hope and I continued to find joy in my many years of waiting.

Those years of desolation enabled me to grow in character. There are traits that are only developed during times of difficulty. I'm glad and grateful that God helped me grow in character and beauty during those times when I felt broken. Those years of desolation prepared me for this time and season that I am in right now.

I had been married for 13 years now. My husband and I have been blessed with three beautiful and smart children.

“This is what the Lord has done for me. He has looked on me and has taken away my shame from among men.” (Luke 1:25, NLV Bible)

Those long, painful years of waiting, doing my best to endure the shame, made me value and appreciate better the gifts that I have received from the Lord when He, finally, sent my bridegroom to me to be my husband and He gave us our children.

Because I waited long to be married, I was ready to say yes to God when He asked me to leave my full-time job and be a full-time wife and mother 2 months after I got married.

Because I was diagnosed with a reproductive problem while still single, I was so thankful to God for each of my children. I only prayed that God would at least give me one child. But God, in His generosity and exceeding goodness, gave me and my husband 3 children!

That season of desolation and uncertainty during my season of singleness prepared me to give my best to my children when I had them. I probably would not be as hands-on and intentional as I am now if I did not have that diagnosis when I was still single. Because of my sickness, I grew to value the lives that were entrusted to me to carry. I valued the lives I was given to mold and raise this much.

Are you in your season of waiting and desolation? Are you still single and suffering the shame of being single and unattached or being unmarried?

I suggest that you view this season as a time of preparation and growth. Let God make you more beautiful and stronger while He breaks you. It is not easy to wait. It is painful to wait, especially when the wait is long. I know. I had been there.

But, God does not break us or allow us to suffer unnecessarily. He always has a purpose for letting things happen the way they do.

I do not claim to have a perfect family, a perfect husband, or perfect children. But they are definitely worth the long wait!

Look at Elizabeth. She waited for many decades to have a child. And look at who she was made to bear! The Bible says in Matthew 11:11 that among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.

God made her wait and endure so much pain and shame for many decades because someone great was set apart to be her child.

So, dear sister in the faith, trust that God has someone great set apart for you in your future.

Do not resist the pain and the shame. Let these difficulties bring out the beauty that God wants to bring out in you. Let these experiences make you strong enough to be ready for what God has planned for your life.

Do not give up hope.

Just keep turning to God in your brokenness and shame. The day will come when God will take away your shame just as He did it for me. He will replace it with something much, much greater than the pain and the shame you endured.

Believe me, because I had been there and I am writing this post now to encourage and give hope to all those who have yet to receive God's deliverance.

Why You Need to Attend This Parenting Event Even Before You Have Kids

2015-06-29T04:16:00.002+08:00

Stephen Covey once said that everything is created twice. First in our minds or imagination; and second, when we actually work to make our imaginations our reality.

You might have a vision for yourself as a bride on your wedding day. That's is great! But do you already have a vision for yourself as a parent? Becoming a parent after you get married is usually the natural progression. You will most likely get pregnant sooner or later. Or, if you choose to adopt a child, you will also become a parent to your adopted child.

Thus, it is good to ask yourself, what kind of parent do you envision yourself to be? Do you want to be a hands-on parent?

Do you see yourself working outside the home or from home? Or do you see yourself as a full time stay-at-home wife? Do you see yourself as a business owner or freelancer?

What is your dream for your relationship with your future children?

One of the advantages of having a clear vision of what kind of parent you want to be, even though you're not yet a parent now, is that you can start working on making that dream a reality as early as now. You buy yourself a lot of time!

Why do I say that? What do I mean by that?

I'm speaking from experience here.

If I had known what I know now or what I learned a few years ago, I would have started working on achieving my business and finance dreams much, much earlier... when I have more time in my hands. These days, even with all the knowledge that I have, I am limited by my responsibilities as a mother of young children. I cannot and choose not to work in the same ways as before because my priorities have changed.

When you are still single, you have more control of your time. But when you are dealing with babies or small kids, it's is often hard to predict when things will happen or will get done. This is true whatever kind of parenting style you choose -- gentle or positive parenting or authoritative parenting. Believe me for I have tried both!

Take this blog post for example. I was in the middle of writing this post when my baby cried. So, I hurriedly left this post unfinished to run to my baby when I heard him cry.

When I was still single, I would not stop writing until I am done with an article or story I wanted to write, especially when my creative juices are flowing. But now that I have a baby and small kids, I can't and I choose not to do that anymore... even if I am in the zone or even when I have looming deadlines. I just don't have the heart to let my baby cry continuously while I try to finish my work. I have a baby whose life literally depends on me because I breastfeed him. I provide food for him. I have a toddler who wants me to read books to him, who needs me to give him a bath and who wants me to play with him. I have a 6-year-old who needs me to listen to his stories or his music. He needs me to look at his latest creation, be it a drawing or something that he built. I need to cook and feed these children and make sure they're are safe to say the least.

Working to reach your financial goals and establishing a business or systems that will enable you to earn passive income takes a LOT of time.

So, whether you are already engaged, your wedding day is already close or you just tied the knot recently, I invite you to join us at the Hands-On Parents while Earning or H.O.P.E. Summit on August 8 from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the AVR of the PLDT TelTech Building, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City.

There will be a number of talks you can learn from on how to be a hands-on parent while earning. You will have an opportunity to meet and listen to parents whose reality is what many dream about. You will have a chance to pause and dig deep into your heart so you can discover your main reasons for wanting to be the kind of parent you want to be. You will also have a chance to come up with a clear and compelling vision for yourself as a parent and as an earning individual. And, you can make initial plans on how you can walk towards fulfilling your goal of becoming a hands-on parent while earning.

I encourage you to invest your time on this life-changing event and to secure your slot now while you can still avail of the early bird rate of P1,500. We only have limited seats. Click here to sign up now.

See you at the H.O.P.E. Summit!

An Invitation to Future Moms to Prepare for Motherhood

2014-03-16T21:43:00.000+08:00

Hi, brides-to-be! I know that most readers of this blog are future brides preparing for their weddings and some are still single and waiting for their prince charming. But there might also be readers here who are planning to have a baby right away after their wedding so I'm extending the invitation to you to one of my future events for my latest book Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking.

As I've shared many times with future brides, your wedding is only the beginning of one great adventure. It would be helpful to prepare for this adventure early on. I learned from another breastfeeding mom who shared her story in my book that she first attended a talk about breastfeeding when she was still in college. She was inspired by the talk and thought that she'd make use of her new learning in the future. Guess what? She got married a couple of years after graduation and had her first baby. And she also breastfed her child.

Thus, I'd like to invite you to the breastfeeding talk titled How to Win Over Breastfeeding Challenges. This will be held on March 29, 2014 from 1 to 5 PM at the Medela House. This is also a book signing event. All attendees will get a signed copy of my latest book.

Let me give you a peek into motherhood with this post I wrote for my other blog at Mommy Bares All.

*****

"Is he getting any milk?"

"Are you sure you have milk?"

"Maybe your milk is not enough."

"Your child is already a toddler. It's time to give him formula."

These are some of the questions and statements that many breastfeeding moms get from people around them. And these questions can a lot of times discourage a breastfeeding mom.

Have you experienced being asked any or all of these questions?

Did you also doubt your capacity to nourish your child through your breasts when you were asked these questions?

You are not alone.

You are not the first to experience that.

I have also heard these questions and statements from many different people.

Like most first-time moms, I was easily affected by those remarks. I chose not to give up easily though.

By the grace of God and with a lot of hard work and sacrifices, I was able to achieve my breastfeeding goals for both of my sons. I was able to overcome the breastfeeding challenges that came my way.

I consider it a win every time I experience something that was initially doubted by other people.

For example, one of the common questions people would ask is if the baby is getting any milk from us, breastfeeding mothers.

Thus, I consider it a win every time I hear my child swallow milk while breastfeeding from me. I also consider it a win whenever I hear my child burp after each feeding session. Sometimes, while my youngest child breastfeeds from me, the milk from my other breast where he is not latched would squirt when he pinches my other breast.

All these disprove what others were saying or thinking about me and my capacity to nourish my children.

To date, my almost 28 month old son is still breastfeeding from me and I don't supplement him with formula. He already eats solid food but that's all. So far, he's healthy, very active and smart.

Aside from those wins I mentioned above, I'm most grateful for the win of having a strong bond between me and my children.

Yesterday, my youngest son said, "Thank you, Mommy."

"For what?" I asked.

"For dede (he was referring to my breasts)," he said.

Then, he hugged me as usual. And I kissed his forehead and his chubby cheeks.

My husband and I watched a movie before where the husband and wife would ask each other their high points and low points each day. We adapted it and made it our nightly habit before sleeping. Our kids eventually joined us. When our youngest son finally learned how to speak, he gamely joined in our conversations as well. Guess what his usual answer is when asked what his high point for the day was? "Dede!"

That has always been his answer until very recently when he would also add "playing with toy bulldozer and car" or "going to Mass."

Do you want to experience these winning moments also?

If you are a first-time parent, an expectant parent or a mom who wants to try breastfeeding for the first time or again, I invite you to join How to Win Over Breastfeeding Challenges, my upcoming talk and bok signing event on March 29, 2014 from 1 to 5 PM at the Medela House (#29 1st Street, New Manila, Q.C.). I'm excited to share with you more about how I won over my breastfeeding challenges in the past years that I had been breastfeeding my two sons.

There will be another speaker as well -- Ms. Joyce Martinez. She's a registered nurse, a certified lactation consultant, and the in-house lactation counselor of Medela Moms. She was also a Lactation Manager at St. Luke's Medical Center. She conducts talks on the ABC's of Lactation Management for nurses and breastfeeding classes for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Here's what will happen when you register and join this event?
* You'd be able to distinguish between breastfeeding myths and facts.
* You'll learn breastfeeding basics (breastfeeding positions, common challenges and how to handle them).
* You'll learn tips on how to win over breastfeeding challenges from the author and other moms who have triumphed over their breastfeeding challenges.

* You'll meet other moms/expectant parents who can support you in your decision to breastfeed your baby.
* You'll get a signed copy of the book Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking as your hand out.

* You'll get free snacks courtesy of Mama Chows and Moringana.Pregnant and breastfeeding moms who will attend will get free lactation cookies from Mama Chows. All guests will get giveaways from Moringana and anti-skid baby socks from St. Patrick.

You'll also get a chance to win raffle prizes.

The learning fee is only P600 for individuals. Couples only need to pay P1,000. I highly recommend that moms come with their husbands because much of your success would be dependent on his support and belief in your capacity to nourish your child through your breasts. This learning fee is a small investment compared to the savings that your family will get from months or even years of breastfeeding your child. A family sometimes spends around a thousand pesos in a week for formula and that can go higher or lower depending on the brand they choose or that their pediatrician would recommend. (Thus, I also recommend that you choose a pediatrician who's a breastfeeding advocate.)

You may pay through bank deposit (BPI or BDO) or through Paypal.

You may register for the event by clicking here.

In case you are not free on that day, please feel free to share about this event to your friends or relatives who might benefit from these talks and book.

You can also order a copy of my latest book by sending me an email at teresa@fulllifecube.com or by sending a PM at my book's Facebook Page. It's only P499 per copy plus shipping fee of P100 for Metro Manila/Luzon area and P150 for other provinces. Click like and follow so you'd get updates on future events or offers.

Let me share excerpts of what other moms who read my book say about it.

"I am thankful that Teresa thought of writing this book. It is just pure inspiration for moms who really plan to breastfeed for the first year/s of their child’s life. I recall turning to Google for answers that I needed when it came to breastfeeding, but with this book, you get so much more. You get to read not only the technicalities and the straight-forward facts, but you also get a glimpse into the life of REAL women; women who have experienced the same situations and problems. They share, not only facts, but even what they felt during these experiences." - Mommy Ginger, Mompreneur and Blogger (Click her name to read her complete book review.)

"This can actually be every nursing mom’s BFF – breastfeeding friend. It will constantly remind her that feeding her child, (who developed in her womb and came out from her body) through her breasts is indeed, one of the purest and ultimate forms of LOVE." - Mommy Amihan, Writer for Philippine Online Chronicles (Click on her name to read the full book review where she enumerated 5 reasons why my book is different from other breastfeeding books.)

"Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking by Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag is formatted to make reading easier for busy moms. This book is very useful for firs time breastfeeding moms and for those who are encountering some challenges. With the author’s and the shared stores, this book will inspire and empower moms to breastfeed, no matter how challenging and that breastfeeding is definitely a journey worth taking." - Mommy Que, Blogger (Click on her name to read the full book review.)

Here's an email from one of the moms who read it.

"I'm currently breastfeeding my 3week old child, and I never expected that breastfeeding will be this challenging. Thanks to your book, it has inspired and encouraged me to pursue breastfeeding." - Mommy Alica

Recognize Love in the Little Every Day Things

2014-02-11T15:14:00.001+08:00

I have not written much on this blog in the past months because of my CRAZY schedule. I once thought (that was when I was still single and unattached) that I lived a very hectic life... flying from one destination to another, sometimes three different cities in a week to conduct trainings and workshops. That was during the day. At night, I would meet up with friends from those cities that I visited and join in their activities. There was even a time when I was taking up Masters in Industrial Relations at UP Solaire while working as a Training Manager for a multinational company.

Then, I got married and had kids.

I discovered that life can get even BUSIER! hahaha So busy that it sometimes (make that A LOT OF TIMES on maidless days) drives me crazy! If you're now a mom with small kids and you don't have a maid or a nanny, you know what I mean!

If you're still a bride-to-be planning for your wedding, I'm writing this post not to scare you. I write this post to help prepare you for your marriage. :)

I'm honestly a romantic through and through. I love all those mushy stuff and I like the drama that most romantics want to experience. Big surprises and romantic dates are my thing. I love planning for these romantic things. Executing them energizes me.

My husband though is not the romantic type. He's not the type who plans ahead for important events like birthdays and anniversaries or other special occasions. Unlike me, he doesn't get excited a lot even when special occasions are already near.

These differences put a strain in our marriage when we were just starting. I discovered these the hard way. It's really true that once you're already married, you'll notice more things about your guy.

I was disappointed and I made sure that he knew how disappointed I was.

I also shared my disappointments with God during my times of prayer. And what God told me during those times, slowly opened my eyes.

I was looking for big, fancy expressions of love on certain seasons or special days. I was naturally drawn to those things being the romantic that I am. God however reminded me that those are not the only ways to show love. He reminded me of the many times that my husband showed his love to me in the every day little things that I sometimes didn't notice because I was so focused on watching for his big expressions of love.

This was before we got married.

I didn't appreciate these expressions of love in the every day little things right away. I felt humbled. But I did try to be more open to them. And I thank God that He helped me see and appreciate these things over time.

It would be our 9th year to celebrate Valentine's Day together this year. I would be a hypocrite if I tell you that I no longer pine for those romantic dates and for Valentine's Day gifts. But the difference now is that although I still like to experience those things, I have grown to appreciate my husband's every day little acts of love more.

We have not been lucky to get reliable maids since we got married. So, there are many months when we do not have helpers to assist us with our household chores and to enable us to have plenty of time to go out on dates as a couple. Our bonding times and dates are different now. We bond over doing chores together at home. We bond by exchanging stories with our kids. We bond over movies shown at our living room. We bond by going to Mass daily as a family. We bond over cuddles in bed or in the couch. We sneak some intimate moments when the kids are finally asleep.

The two of us don't get to do a lot of fancy, romantic stuff. These occasions are few and far between. But you know, I'm much happier now. Not only because he has learned to express love in the way I want to be loved (flowers and notes). But more importantly because I have learned to recognize love in the little every day things that my husband does for me and our kids.

Thus, I thank God for helping me see this wonderful side of my husband. I thank God that he blessed me with a husband who does not think that it's beneath him to help his wife with the household chores and who choose to be involved in raising our kids. I thank God for a husband who is not threatened by my successes but who delights and celebrates with me in my victories.

Let me end this Valentine post with a message to my Valentine:

Thank you, Sweetheart, for making time to wash the dishes and the pots and pans after dinner.

Thank you for sweeping and mopping the floor.

Thank you for throwing the trash.

Thank you for reading books and telling stories to the kids at night.

Thank you for acknowledging that caring for the kids and watching over them throughout the day is already a full time job.

Thank you for appreciating the meals that I cook especially on really busy days.

Thank you for watching over the kids and playing with them while I do some work.

Thank you for accepting that I need time to write and for giving me some time to do this.

Thank you for all the many little things you do to fill up my love tank.

Thank for stepping into my life one Valentine's Day and changing my life forever.

I love you and the many every day little things that you do!

Are you also a romantic like me? What expressions of love fills your love tank? I hope that with this post you'd also learn to recognize and appreciate love in the little every day things.

Love is in the Air at Love Expressions Wedding Fair

2014-02-07T15:19:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year, dear readers! This is my first post for the year in this blog because I had been busy doing the other things that I love. I just launched my latest book Breastfeeding: A Journey Worth Taking last January 25 at Mothercare, Bonifacio High Street. You can read about it here, here and here. Now, I'm getting ready for a number of upcoming workshops (You can find out more about the workshops I run here and here.) that I will conduct this month and in the coming months. And I'm also working on my next book.

But let me take a breather from writing books and organizing workshops by sharing with you an event that I think would be of help to you as you prepare for your dream wedding.

Why do I think it's worth your time?

First, it's your chance to shop around for potential wedding suppliers. Yes, you inquire through phone or email but it makes a big difference to get to talk to potential suppliers in person. You can even get a discount if you are lucky enough to talk to the business owners themselves! My husband and I got to experience this in a couple of wedding fairs that we attended when we were still engaged.

Second, there would be talks about love languages, dating and relationships, budgeting for your wedding and how to plan for your wedding. I've been sharing about the love languages in a number of my workshops and trainings. It has been helpful in my relationships and I believe that sharing this with more people would help them, too.

Third, you can win something that you need at these wedding fairs! I won a free trial make-up in one of the wedding fairs we attended while preparing for our wedding. I used the free trial make-up for our pre-nuptial pictorial. It surely saved us some money and gave us more reason to smile that day. :)

Enjoying our pre-nuptial pictorial.

Last but not least, it can also be your opportunity to bond with your soon-to-be spouse as you listen and watch performances by bands and musicians on this Valentine weekend.

I enjoyed attending wedding fairs when I was still planning and preparing for my wedding. In truth, I even liked going to wedding fairs even before I had a boyfriend! It was my way of keeping the fire of my dream alive even when my circumstances were not that encouraging. ;)

Anyway, here are the details of the upcoming event I was telling you about. It will be on February 13-15, 2014, (10AM to 9PM), at the Ground Level Activity Center, SM Southmall Las Pinas.

There's even a fashion show on February 14 from up and coming designers, Marco and Oyama and White Label Bridal!

Best of all, if you book any of the suppliers during the wedding fair, you'll receive a FREE GIFT from the organizer PLUS a chance to win your wedding supplier! So, register here now to blocked off your Valentine weekend for this upcoming wedding event. http://www.weddingfairphilippines.com/weddingfairregistration/

Love Expressions Wedding Fair is presented by SM Southmall, together with Jack & Jenn Catering, Rotary Club of Las Pinas East and Myther Events and Expo Inc. This event is sponsored by Booms Audio Sounds and Lights, Dermaesthetic, Gems by Me with Online Media Sponsors Bridal Book.ph, Weddingsupplires.ph, HalloHalloTown.com, and organized by Island Exhibit Events Management Inc.

When My Bridegroom Comes Blog Giveaway Continues this December 2013

2013-12-10T18:44:00.002+08:00

Have you signed up for the free e-book that I'm giving away here in my blog? If you haven't signed up yet, you better hurry up because I'm giving it away for free for a limited time only.

But since my bridegroom and I are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary this month, on the 19th to be exact, it will still be available this month.

This year, our wedding anniversary is made extra special because it's like I'm waiting for my bridegroom to come all over again.

My husband has been out of the country in the past three months for a special project. It's the first time that he has been away from me this long since we got engaged. It was difficult to say the least. It was difficult for me as a wife. It was difficult for me as the mother of our two little boys. There were nights when the boys and I would simply cry. It usually starts with our eldest crying to me and telling me that he misses his Dad very much. He would ask me why he can't hug or embrace his Dad. When he says those words, I just couldn't help but cry as well. I would tell him that he can hug me and his younger brother instead while thinking of his Dad. Then, when my youngest son hears or sees me and his older brother in tears, he would cry too.

Sometimes, my eyes would be filled with tears during our Skype calls when I see my kids trying to kiss and embrace their Dad through my laptop.

I figured, so this must be how kids with parents who work far from their homes feel. My husband goes out-of-town or out-of-the country every now and then as part of his job; but most are short-term trips. We miss him just the same. But this last trip, this is the hardest because it's the longest and farthest so far! Thus, we missed him big time!

So, as we count the days and the nights before he comes again (two nights to go!), I feel like I'm a bride again waiting for her bridegroom's coming.

Are you also waiting for someone? Is he your bridegroom too? Are you waiting for your dream wedding?

Why don't you sign up for my free e-book and enjoy it while you wait? Remember, it will be FREE only for a LIMITED TIME. So, go to my blog's sidebar, sign up and download your copy NOW!

Your Tagaytay Dream Wedding Unveiled

2013-10-03T22:13:00.001+08:00

Hi future brides and grooms! Do you already have plans for the weekend? If you are still free on Saturday, I suggest that you head to Tagaytay to attend Ville Sommet's Bridal Fair.

If you've started planning for your dream wedding, chances are that you already know that it would be difficult to make it happen without the help of a dream team. This bridal fair is your chance to look for the right people in your team. You can also enjoy the scenery and the nice weather while doing that.

Admission is free and there are special promotions and discounts offered to couples who will book on the day of the event. I highly recommend that you bring your check books with you in case you find a wedding supplier that matches your requirements. Availing of promotions and discounts at wedding fairs is one way to save on your wedding expenses while having fun. My husband and I had fun going around bridal/wedding fairs when we were still an engaged couple. It was also through these fairs that we found some of our wedding suppliers.

You may get more details about the event in their Facebook Page.

Celebrating more than 100,000 pageviews

2013-08-28T10:26:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I celebrated Mommy Bares All's (my other blog) 100,000 pageviews. Today, God gave me another reason to celebrate. This blog has reached more than 100,000 pageviews as well after a little more than a year! Amazing! What a pleasant surprise from God!

I never thought that this blog could reach this mark this soon. I simply thought of sharing my experiences as I prepared for my wedding and my bridegroom through this blog. I'm so happy to discover that this little blog of mine has reached this number of people.

Let me thank you, dear readers, for taking time to read my posts. Thank you for choosing to sign up for my e-book, How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams. Thank you for being part of my blog and being instrumental in helping it reach this mark.

I hope to write more relevant posts that can be of help to more brides and grooms and to singles who are still waiting for their one true love to come into their lives.

God bless you all!

May our hearts be filled always with love and may we continue to spread love to those around us!

Blog Anniversary Give-away: How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams e-book

2013-06-10T16:49:00.001+08:00

It has been 1 year and 10 days since I first started this blog. I'd like to thank all of you, my dear visitors, readers and subscribers, for being part of this blog. Without all of you, our more than 68,000 pageviews (so far as of today) would not be possible.

I thank all of you for the inspiration to write my first e-book: How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams. It was because of your pageviews of my wedding preparation-related posts that I was moved to write my newest book.

Thus, this month of June, to celebrate the wedding month and this blog's 1st year anniversary, I'm giving away my first e-book for FREE! Don't miss this gift from me this month. Sign up now on the box to your right to avail of our blog give-away!

Enjoy reading and be blessed!

Here's a toast to more dream weddings coming true!

FREE e-book to When My Bridegroom Comes Blog Subscribers: How to Have the Wedding of Your Dreams

2013-05-14T17:58:00.003+08:00

The inspiration to write this e-book first came to me when I attended a conference last March. I was very excited to write the book but other priorities got in the way. I made sure though that I wrote my basic ideas down so I can easily remember them the next time I have more time in my hands.

A few weeks ago, I finally had the time to act on the inspiration. With a lot of help and support from my bridegroom, I'm happy to share with you that the first installment is now available for download when you subscribe to this blog.

I designed in such a way that you will not only receive inspiration through the e-book but you will also receive worksheets that you can print and use to plan for your dream wedding. I'm sharing FOUR STEPS that you can take to step into the wedding of your dreams. I'm sharing with you some of the tools as well which I used to plan my own wedding and some tips that helped me step into the wedding that I had dreamed of for many years.

Do you want to get your copy of this e-book now?

Head over to this blog's sidebar, type your name and email and sign up for this e-book that I'm giving away for FREE! I promise not to give away your contact information to anyone. :)

I'm so excited to give this away to future brides! My heart was brimming with joy, inspiration and hope when I wrote this book.

So, are you a future bride? Then, this e-book is for you! I'm excited to provide inspiration and practical help to you through it.

Are you excited to read it, now? Don't delay! Subscribe now!

May your dream wedding come true!

Dreaming with you,

Teresa

Celebrating a Small Victory: Over 50,000 Pageviews in Less Than a Year

2013-04-26T03:01:00.000+08:00

This is totally unexpected! I never thought that this new blog which I started less than a year ago (almost 10 months as of today) would have this much traffic and pageviews! It began as a sudden burst of inspiration after writing an article for another website where I'm a regular contributor. Then, more ideas and inspirations flowed.

Before long, I was busy working on many other things. Honestly, BUSY is an understatement if you know ALL the things that I'm currently doing. But the blog continued to pick up speed as if it had a life of its own. I kept receiving wonderful surprises each morning as I check the pageviews.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU! YES, YOU, MY DEAR READERS! :)

This is simply wonderful! I want to pause and savor the moment. :)

Over 50,000 pageviews in almost 10 months! Wow!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN!

This could be small or nothing to experienced bloggers but to someone like me who is a newbie with so much to learn and understand about blogging, this is already a reason to do a dance of joy. Writing is simply one of my favorite hobbies. I used to write on journals only. It was my husband who encouraged me to start a blog actually! And now this happened! Thank you so much, Lord! For the inspiration and for this encouragement.

My prayer is that through this blog, I'd be able to inspire and help more future brides.

Here are the TOP 10 POSTS OF ALL TIME (As of this moment):

12 Garden-inspired Venues in Quezon City

Wedding Venues for a Destination Wedding in Tagaytay

5 Garden Venues for a Destination Wedding in Antipolo

Garden Venues in Manila

The Search for My Dream Wedding Reception Venue

Garden Venues in Marikina

Tips on Planning Your Wedding Souvenirs

My Recommended Disney Love Songs for Weddings

List of Catholic Churches in Quezon City

List of Catholic Churches for Destination Weddings in Tagaytay, Cavite and Batangas

Cheers to all bloggers! Cheers to all future brides!

P.S.
Please extend your love to our Facebook Page as well. Click here to LIKE our page.

I Will Watch For You, Lord

2013-04-11T20:41:00.001+08:00

I had been busy in the past days working on a number of projects and work-at-home gigs. Today was no different. There were challenges but generally, there were a lot of blessings. I even received surprised blessings from the Lord as I worked on my projects. I felt that God was encouraging me today as I persevered and did my share in my assignments from Him. I admit that there are days when my self-esteem is quite low and I feel very tired. Sometimes, I don't have the energy to write anymore. Today, I chose to simply make baby steps to move forward in my assignments and I was amazed to realize at the end of the day that I had accomplished a number of tasks. "Not by might, not by power, but by God's spirit." I acknowledge that it was God's grace that enabled me to accomplish these tasks amid a lot of distractions at home and other domestic concerns. With all these things that happened today, challenges and triumphs alike, I was reminded of a poem that I wrote in 2005. It was inspired by Joshua 1:5, 8-9 and Micah 7:7,15.

Let me share this poem with you.

I Will Watch For You, Lord

(published in the book When My Bridegroom Comes)

"Be determined! Be confident!"

That's what the Lord commanded me.

"Be not afraid. Be not discouraged."

Those were His Words to me.

"Study My Word day and night.

Believe and obey everything I say

And go forth with great courage

For I, the Lord, Your God

Am with you all the way."

So I rose from my bed and prayed,

"Work miracles for me, Lord

Like you did in the days of Egypt.

Work miracles for me, Lord!

I will step out and will not be afraid!"

I will watch for you, Lord.

I will watch confidently

for You, my God, to save me.

I know, my God, You will hear me.

Do you need a boost in your confidence? Do you also need miracles from God? Do you need encouragement to keep going? I invite you to meditate on this poem with me. And let us wait for the Lord to grant us the miracles that we so badly need.

My Dream Wedding by Rhodz Yabut

2013-03-26T13:24:00.000+08:00

I finally had the time to feature a dream wedding here in my blog. This is the dream wedding of one of my close friends. She was one of those whom I interviewed for my article last year, which eventually inspired me to come up with this blog.

I'd like to thank Rhodz for allowing me to share her treasured dream here in my blog to encourage other single ladies to dream and make their dream wedding as specific as they could. I hope and pray that by asking Rhodz to be specific with her dream wedding, I have helped her to move closer to its fulfillment. I hope and pray, too, that you will also be inspired to pause and imagine what your dream wedding would be like as you read this post.

Cheers to the first dream wedding story in this blog!

**********

I love weddings! They give me a warm feeling of happiness and joy! I believe that a wedding is the union of two people who are in-love with each other. Otherwise, they will not end up in the altar! I believe that every single woman has her own dream wedding, and I am no different! How do I envision my future wedding to be? I haven’t given much thought to it until recently... and here is how I imagined it would be...

Photo source here.

It is a mixture of all the things that I love -- flowers and gardens, romantic music, the beach, and sunset! I dream of geting married in a church or a chapel with a long aisle to march on, on top of a mountain or a hill, before sunset. Outside of this church or chapel is a spacious garden with lots of trees and flowers, overlooking a beach. I don’t know if such a place exists in the Philippines, but I do hope so to make my dream wedding happen in such a place! I imagine myself marching in my wedding gown with a long lace veil covering my face and making a long train at the back, while I hold a bouquet with a mixture of baby pink, apple green, and white tulips. On the long aisle is a red carpet where scattered on it are lots of white rose petals. On the side of the aisle are beautiful flower arrangements of both garden and forest flowers with the same color motif.

All the important people in my life -- my family, relatives, closest friends and community friends who are all wearing white summer/beach outfits – surround me and watch me as I march to the music of The First Time I Loved Forever played by a quartet and sang by an all male choir. My groom has a wide smile and a radiant face as he looks at me walking towards him and the altar.

Photo source here.

The reception is in the same area -- a spacious garden overlooking the beach. Torches serve as lights. All tables, adorned by garden and forest flowers like in the church, have a green apple fruit in the middle of the arrangement. The place is surrounded with flowering plants. We all watch the sunset together as the party goes on. The guests have fun eating the sumptous meal and the wide variety of desserts we prepared for them. They dance the night away through the romantic and danceable music provided by the quartet and the band. The wedding party is capped by a fireworks display and the sound of the waves down the beach...

Oh, how I hope this dream wedding of mine will come true as I envisioned it by the grace of God!

Rhodz Yabut is an Early Childhood Education Teacher from the Philippines who is in her thirties.

The Best Time to Build Your Wealth - Lessons Learned after Looking Back

2013-02-27T09:09:00.000+08:00

I conducted a Sales Training Program and a Teambuidling Workshop yesterday for a group of Managers and Supervisors for one of my clients. I had a great time! I love this kind of job because I'm able to help many with the work that I do. My job as a Management and Human Resources/Training Consultant lets me inspire and motivate my participants to aspire and strive to be better in what they are doing and be the best they can be. It also lets me teach practical and concrete ways to many how they can apply the principles and strategies I share in my workshops/trainings to reach their goals and full potential. My participants seemed to have a great time, too! They had many wonderful insights as we processed our activities and as they presented their own ideas during our exercises. There was hearty laughter the whole day as we exchanged ideas and stories all the way until our dinner.

I love it when I hear them speak out lessons/learnings that they had as we processed our activities and how they think they can apply them in the work setting or their work place and in their personal lives.

Yesterday, I felt that I could identify with one of my participants as I listened to her share about her regret of not being responsible enough and careful with the money she earned in the past years. She said this after we did an activity called Lifeline where I asked all the participants to make a line graph to illustrate their high points and low points in their professional and personal life. She said that she could have done better in managing her finances in the past especially since she was earning much then. But I was glad to hear that with her realization she decided to be more resposible and conscious of the way she spends her money.

I could relate to her experience because I was like her when I was younger and still single. There were a lot of times that I was spending too much on things (for example buying clothes without looking at price tags, buying dresses that costs thousands of pesos, etc.) and I had "horrible" cellphone/mobile phone bills! I had a very expensive lifestyle which afforded me a lot of luxuries then but hindered me from saving and investing money for my future. Looking back, I can say with my participant, "I wished I have done better." And with my current knowledge on how to build and grow my wealth, I say: "I could have a much better investment portfolio... I could have millions already by now if I had invested my money then instead of spending them on things that were not necessary."

But it's not yet too late. Because although we made some mistakes in the past on how we handled our finances, we can make the right choices now and avoid the same mistakes. That's what I love about each new day in our lives. We can start anew. We can move forward with hope and faith again. We can dream new dreams. We can set new goals. We can change our ways and start new habits. That's what I shared with her yesterday during our workshop and during our ride to the restaurant where we had dinner with the rest of the participants.

And as you read this post, whether you are single like one of my participants who shared about her regret, engaged, or you are married just like me, this is my message to you: The best time to build your wealth is NOW! NOW that you've realized that you need to improve your financial situation so you and your loved ones can enjoy a better life and so that you can have a brighter future.

You might be asking by now... HOW?

Let BO SANCHEZ, my mentor and my husband's mentor, teach you how. We learned from him what we now know and we continue to learn from him though our membership in Bo's Truly Rich Club.

Bo was once a poor missionary... no income, no savings, no investments, no businesses. But with the help of some mentors as well, he learned new things and started new habits, started investing and venturing into business. He's now helping others become millionaires and successful businessmen like him! Isn't that amazing?

Would you like to learn from him as well and know how you can build your wealth and secure your/your family's future? Click here.

You don't need to have lots of extra money to start building your wealth. In fact, Bo has taught and helped his maids and driver invest! They are now on their way to becoming millionnaires as well!

So, take a good look at your expenses and see where you can save and rechannel. Review your budget and set aside an amount each month that you will use to build your wealth and secure your future and your family's future. Had I known this stuff before and been mentored by Bo before when I was still single and earning much monthly, I could have invested at least Php2,500 to Php5,000 each month! Why that amount? Because that was how much I spent on my cellphone bill before! I'm glad that I know this now and that little by little I'm able to build my wealth together with my husband through the guidance we get from our mentor Bo Sanchez of the Truly Rich Club.

Act NOW! Click here to find out more about Bo Sanchez's Truly Rich Club and let him tell you his story.

List of Catholic Churches in Baguio

2013-02-24T21:24:00.000+08:00

Summer is fast approaching. Can you feel the summer heat now in your homes? I wonder if there are couples who are considering a destination wedding in Baguio this summer? Here is my advance gift to you -- a list Catholic churches in Baguio that can help you in your wedding preparation. Click on the names of the churches to go to their websites.

Baguio Cathedral (Our Lady of Atonement)

Address: Mount St. Mary Hill (Cathedral Hill), General Luna Road

Telephone number: (074) 442-4256; (074) 304-4064

Click here to see map.

Immaculate Conception

Address: P. Ledesma Street, Aurora Hill

Telephone number: (074) 442-4343; (074) 445-4962

Click here to see map.

St. John Bosco Church

Address: Lucban

Telephone number: (074) 442-4436

Click here to see map.

St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Address: Pacdal

Telephone number: (074) 442-4021

Click here to see map.

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish

Address: Campo Filipino, Naguilian Road

Telephone number: (074) 442-5357; (074) 442-6986

Click here to see map.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Address: Kisad Road

Telephone number: (074) 443-9332

Click here to see map.

And if you're planning to do an ocular, I suggest that you pass by the Pink Sisters convent also and ask for the nuns to pray for you and your future spouse as you prepare for your wedding and your marriage. You can find them at Brent Road and contact them at (072) 442-5203. You may click here to see map.

Moreover, I highly encourage you to visit all seven churches especially if you plan to go there this Lent so you can do Visita Iglesias.

Hope this helps. God bless!

Trivia: Celebrities, Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez, got married at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in 2001.

(Used to be) Dateless on Valentine's Day

2013-02-17T11:00:00.000+08:00

I had been dateless on Valentine’s Day for years. There were years when I didn’t receive any flowers or roses… no love letters nor gifts. No fancy dinner dates with someone special to look forward to or fuss about. No one to hold hands with or exchange sweet messages with. There were years when I dreaded the month of February and the sight of all things that reminds me that Valentine’s Day was nearing. I hated the feeling of wanting to be like the rest.

That was me in Singapore resting by the lake after walking around.

But there were also many years when I didn’t mind not receiving anything at all or not having a special someone to celebrate it with. Those were the years when I was happily single, enjoying the company of friends, busy pursuing my passions and interests, busy achieving my personal goals. Those were years when I was so full of hope and faith that in time, I will celebrate Valentine’s Day with someone very special to me and who will make me feel special as well.

What helped me “survive” those years of being dateless on Valentine’s Day were these: first, I was surrounded by loving, single friends; second, I was part of a community of single men and women; third, I knew that I was called to the married life; and last but not least, I had a strong personal relationship with my God.

I was blessed that for most of my single life, I was surrounded by other single men and women who made me feel wanted, special and loved. Most of these friends of mine were part of the youth and singles community I was a part of when I was still in college and when I was already a working professional. We would arrange group dates with our female friends who were single and unattached as well. We would have Valentine activities in our youth or singles community, where singles who are not in any relationship would not feel out of place on Valentine’s Day, would have a chance to meet new friends, or simply have a good time to bond with old friends. Those were fun days! I enjoyed much of my single life because of the beautiful friendships I had during those years.

Another thing that helped me much during those dateless years is the certainty in my heart that I had been called to the married vocation. I just didn’t know when I’m getting married and with whom. I gained this certainty after I went through a state of life discernment process during my early single years. It’s a process I learned from the youth and singles community I was a part of and which I went through initially with the guidance of a Carmelite spiritual directress.

I have to admit though that even with all those helpful things/people in my life, there were times when I would still feel lonely. There were times when I would dream and long for a Valentine date with someone I love deeply. It was during those times that my strong relationship with my God helped me the most. When I felt my self esteem going down, I turned to God and allowed myself to be reminded of my dignity as His precious and beloved daughter. When I felt a strong need for companionship and even friends were not around to keep me company, I drew close to Him soaking myself in prayer so I would not forget that I’m never alone because He’s always beside me. When I felt that my love tank is empty or almost empty, I allowed God to fill me up with His unconditional and steadfast love.

Then, at one Valentine party organized for the singles in our community seven years ago, I met someone who was to be my Valentine for years to come. I went to that party with no expectation that I would meet someone new who can be my potential Valentine date in the future. I went there mainly because I was launching my book, When My Bridegroom Comes. It was a book I wrote about the challenges and joys of a single lady waiting and wondering when her bridegroom will come. I wrote it because I wanted to encourage and inspire other single ladies not to despair or be discouraged while waiting. I wrote it so other single and unattached ladies like me then would know how to make the most of their season of singleness. Little did I know that while I was busy pursuing my passions at that time, I would meet the Valentine I was waiting and praying for.

I’m no longer dateless on Valentine’s Day these days. There’s now someone who sends me flowers, brings me unexpected gifts, or writes me love messages… someone who holds my hand not just when we’re dancing but also when we’re praying, someone I can go out with for a romantic Valentine date. One thing I learned though over the years is that those dateless Valentine nights contributed much to my current joy; for through them, I grew to know myself more, which led me to have greater certainty of the kind of man I want to spend the rest of my days with, not just on Valentine’s Day. Today, I look back with gratitude for all those dateless years. I’m grateful that they have taught me much and formed me into the woman that I am now. I’m thankful even for the sadness and pain I endured during those lonely nights for they helped me appreciate more the joy and love that God has brought into my life right now not just on Valentine night but every single day of my married life.

(Author's note: Published today, February 17, 2013 at The Philippine Online Chronicles, Buhay Pinoy Channel.)

List of Catholic Churches in Manila

2013-02-16T15:30:00.000+08:00

I have already posted recently lists of Catholic churches in Quezon City, Tagaytay, Cavite and Batangas. Today, I will share a list of Catholic Churches in Manila to help couples who are considering wedding venues in Manila in their wedding preparation. Since we have already entered the season of Lent, I suggest that couples who are planning their ocular to these churches make it part of their Visita Iglesias to make their visits more meaningful and memorable. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. :)

Let me begin with churches in Intramuros since most of the wedding venues I mentioned in my previous posts were in Intramuros.

INTRAMUROS

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral)

Address: Cabildo corner Beaterio, Intramuros

Telephone number: 527-3093, 527-1796, 527-3889, 528-3876

Email: mlacathedral@yahoo.com
Click here to view map to church.

San Agustin Church (Nuestra Senora de la Correa)

Address: General Luna Street, Intramuros

Telephone number: 527-4052, 527-2746

Email: el89desabiduria@yahoo.es
Click here to view map to church.

OTHER AREAS IN MANILA

Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Church)

Address: Plaza L. Ruiz, Binondo

Telephone number: 242-4850, Fax: 241-4653
Click here to view map to church.

Nuestra Senora de Guia (Ermita Church)

Address: M. H. Del Pilar Street corner A. Flores Street, Ermita

Telephone number: 523-2754
Click here to view map to church.

Our Lady of Remedies (Malate Church)

Address: 2000 M. H. Del Pilar Street, Malate

Telephone number: 523-2593, 523-3168, 400-5876

Click here to view map to church.

San Fernando de Dilao Parish (Paco Church)

Address: 1521 Paz Street, Paco

Telephone number: 563-5678

Click here to view map to church.

St. Vincent de Paul Parish (San Marcelino Church)

Address: Adamson University Complex, 959 San Marcelino Street, Malate

Telephone number: 525-7853
Click here to view map to church.

I will be updating this list from time to time to add more churches in Manila.

A Very Memorable Valentine Party

2013-02-14T11:49:00.000+08:00

I launched my book, When My Bridegroom Comes, seven years ago at a Valentine's party for the single men and women in our community, Light of Jesus (LOJ). The single men were part of the Joshua brotherhood then. The single women were part of the Esther sisterhood. I was very excited because I chose Someone Really Special to be my date on that memorable night. Launching my book was my way of telling the world that I believed in my Perfect Date's love and promises so much, enough for me to write and publish a book about His promises. Little did I know that my Perfect Date that night, arranged something which will change the course of my life. He led me to meet my future bridegroom and spouse. Let me tell you briefly how.

I barely knew the brothers and sisters from LOJ then. I only had a handful of friends since I was new in the community. But although I was new, I was invited to serve in the Singles' Service Team by our leaders. I said yes. I didn't know that Jesus, my Perfect Date, will use that YES to bring me closer to the man He has set aside for me. That night, the new members of the LOJ Singles' Service Team were introduced to the community. I was one of them... He (my future bridegroom) was also one of them.

That's me (wearing a pink dress), third from the left. My future bridegroom, George
(wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt and tie), was in the middle beside the one holding a mic.

But we didn't know each other personally yet. It was our first time to see/meet each other in a joint event for the singles in our community.

He said that he introduced himself to me that night but I was meeting so many new faces at the party and I'm very poor at remembering names so our first actual meeting didn't register in my mind right away.

But Jesus, made a way for me to remember this man and for me to be drawn closer to him.

Since I was new in the community and I needed to bring my books with me to my apartment in Makati, I asked our leader if he can help me find a ride going home. He introduced me to George, one of the new members of the Singles Service Team presented that night. I had no idea that riding with him that night was part of God's perfect plan for my love life. I even signed his copy of my book which he bought. It's both funny and amazing looking back that I autographed that book for him not knowing that he was the bridegroom I wrote about in my book!

Below is the dedication in my book which I wrote way before I met my anointed bridegroom.

"To him whom the Father has set apart to be my anointed bridegroom and to Jesus Christ, my Lord."

That ride to my apartment in Makati was the first of many memorable rides with George. I eventually said YES to journey with him through life before God's altar with a heart full of love and faith on December 19, 2007.

As I have written at the back cover of my book, "Almost every young woman dreams of becoming a bride one day... of standing face to face with her beloved before the altar of God with a heart full of love."

I'm very grateful to God that He has made that dream of mine come true. And I'm also grateful to Him for bringing me to that very memorable Valentine party.

Happy Valentine's Day to you! May God, who first loved us, and taught us how to love, bring you to experience His wonderful love through the special people He has placed in your lives.

List of Catholic Churches for Destination Weddings in Tagaytay, Cavite and Batangas

2013-02-09T15:52:00.000+08:00

My post, Wedding Venues for a Destination Wedding in Tagaytay, is among the top articles or posts in this blog. I thought that since many soon-to-be brides and grooms are planning for a destination wedding in that area, it would also be helpful to write a post about the Catholic churches near those venues I enumerated in that post.

So, here's a list of churches in Cavite and Batangas for brides and grooms who are planning a destination wedding there. This list can be helpful as well to those who are planning to do Visita Iglesias this Lent or Holy Week. I'll do my best to update this list as often as I can and to furnish the links to the web sites of the different churches in the list.

CAVITE CHURCHES

Churches in Tagaytay City

Ina ng Laging Saklolo

Address: Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Tagaytay City National Road

Phone number: (046) 413-1375

Click here to view map.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

Address: Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City National Road

Phone number: (046) 413-1260

Click here to view map.

Pink Sisters

Address: 4120 Tagaytay City

Phone number: (046) 413-1216

Click here to view map.

Tagaytay Highlands Country Club (Madre de Dios) Chapel

Address: Tagaytay Highlands

Phone number: (046) 483-2033

Click here to view map.

Other Churches in Cavite

National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette

Address: Biga 2, Silang, Cavite

Phone number: (046) 414-0257

Click here to view map.

Our Lady of Candelaria Parish

Address: Silang, Cavite Town Proper

Phone number: (046) 414-0352

Click here to view map.

Parokya ng Imaculada Concepcion

Address: Dasmarinas, Cavite

Phone number: (046) 416-0797

Click here to view map.

San Pedro Apostol Parish Church

Address: 353 P. Justo Street, Caridad, Cavite City

Phone number: (046) 431-6470

Click here to view map.

St. Anthony's Boys Village Church

Address: Km 52, Aguinaldo Highway, Lalaan 2, Rogationist Academy, Silang, Cavite

Phone number: (046) 414-0448

Click here to view map.

St. Mary Magdalene Parish

Address: Barangay Wakas 2, Kawit, Cavite

Phone number: (046) 434-8445

Click here to view map.

BATANGAS CHURCHES

Caleruega Church

Address: Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas

Phone number: (0973) 729301

Click here to view map.

Chapel on a Hill

Address: Don Bosco, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas

Phone number: (0917) 524 7192

Click here to view map.

Cathedral de San Sebastian

Address: Lipa, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 756-2142

Click here to view map.

Immaculate Conception Parish

Address: Balayan, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 211-4371

Click here to view map.

Immaculate Conception

Address: Kap Ponso Street, Bauan, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 727-1367/504-0923

Click here to view map.

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Address: Batangas City

Phone number: (043) 723-1484/9801797

Click here to view map.

Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours

Address: Taal, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 421-1028

Click here to view map.

Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Graces (Carmel)

Address: Antipolo del Norte, P. Torres street, Lipa, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 757-5430

Click here to view map.

Redemptorist Church

Address: Divino Amor chapel, M.K. Lina street, Lipa, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 756-1314

Click here to view map.

St. Francis Paola Church

Address: Mabini, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 487-0233

Click here to view map.

St. Francis Xavier Church

Address: Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Nasugbu, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 416-0564

Click here to view map.

St. Isidore Church

Address: Cuenca, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 342-1279

Click here to view map.

St. John the Baptist Church

Address: Lian, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 215-2089

Click here to view map.

St. Raphael Church

Address: Calaca, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 223-5068/396-1248

Click here to view map.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Address: Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Phone number: (043) 778-4578

Click here to view map.

List of Catholic Churches in Quezon City

2013-02-04T12:19:00.000+08:00

This post was inspired by a comment in one of my previous blog posts. I thought that it would also be helpful to come up with a post with a list of Catholic churches near the wedding reception venues I listed in this blog. This would certainly make it easier for brides (and grooms) to see their options and evaluate which one would best fit their requirements or criteria.

These are the Catholic churches near the garden venues I listed in this post. Simply click on the names of the churches below and you will be taken to their web sites where you can view some pictures as well. This list is not yet complete. I will be updating this post every now and then.

Immaculate Conception Parish

Address: 39 Lantana Street, Cubao

Telephone number: 922-0029
Click here to view map to church.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (near Claret School)

Address: Mahinhin Street, UP VillageTelephone number: 922-0029
Click here to view map to church.

Our Lady of the Annunciation

Address: Mindanao Avenue, St. Dominic 3, Tandang Sora

Telephone number: 454-9281
Click here to view map to church.

Our Lady of Consolation Parish Church, Tandang Sora

Our Lady of Consolation Parish (inside Tierra Pura Subdivision)
Address: Alondras Street, Mira Nila Homes, Tandang Sora

Telephone number: 931-1999; 453-16-17

Click here to view map to church.

Our Lady of Hope (behind SM City North Edsa)

Address: 107 Road 3, Pag-asa
Telephone number: 924-4259
Click here to view map to church.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine (near Ali Mall, Gateway Mall and Araneta Center)

Address: 124 13th Avenue, Cubao

Telephone number: 911-7327; 911-7378; 437-1836, fax 912-5953
Click here to view map to church.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (across Broadway Centrum)

Address: Castilla Street, Valencia Hills, New Manila

Telephone Number: 724- 5938; 724-1489; 927-5496
Click here to view map to church.

Parish of St. Benedict (across Ever Gotesco mall)

Address: Don Victorino Street, Don Antonio Heights Subdivision, Brgy. Holy Spirit

Telephone number: 0917 895 0192

Click here to view map to church.

Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Address: Daily Mirror St. cor. Bulletin St., West Triangle,

Telephone number: 371-9102; 372-1097

Click here to view map to church.

Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (inside UP, Diliman Campus)

Address: JP Laurel corner Apacible Street, UP, Diliman Campus

Telephone number: 926-9496; 926-1592
Click here to view map to church.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

Address: 28 Scout Ybardolaza, Kamuning

Telephone number: 929-0419, 415-4353
Click here to view map to church.

San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish

Address: Neptune Street, Congressional Subdivision, Project 6

Telephone number: 928-5336

Click here to view map to church.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish

Address: 16 Gabriella Silang Street, Tierra Verde Subdivision, Tandang Sora

Telephone number: 931-6452
Click here to view map to church.

St. Ignatius Cathedral (inside the camp)

Address: Capinpin Avenue, Camp Aguinaldo

Telephone number: 911-6001 local 6419

Click here to view map to church.

St. Peter's Cathedral (near Ever Gotesco mall and Sandigan Bayan)

Address: Along Commonwealth Avenue

Telephone number: 932-9581 or 61
Click here to view map to church.

Sta. Maria della Strada Church (near La Vista Subdivision, Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila)

Address: Katipunan Avenue corner Pansol Street

Telephone number: 929-7790; 434-0379; 09176267790
Click here to view map to church.

Dream Weddings: Fairy tales can come true

2013-01-31T16:43:00.000+08:00

“Here comes the bride dressed all in light…” goes the traditional bridal march. Most women, if not all, probably had at one point in their lives dreamt of walking down the aisle to marry the one for whom they are intended.

We can trace this to the influence of fairytales in our lives, which many girls read during childhood. That includes me! I even had a collection of fairytale books. I grew up dreaming what many girls dream… to meet my prince charming and marry him.

As I grew older, I realized that a dream like that doesn’t happen easily like in fairytales. Still, that realization didn’t stop me from dreaming about my wedding MANY years before it actually took place.

And even now that I’m already married and the wedding of my dreams had taken place almost five years ago, weddings still give me that warm feeling every time I think of them. I love weddings because for me weddings represent the triumph of love over many challenges. It means that the couple love each other so much that they vow to stick with each other “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health…” Isn’t that romantic? Since June is considered as the wedding month since the time of the Romans, I interviewed single ladies about their dream weddings.

Abby Guan, a bank teller, shares, “Saying YES to the man I love is one of the best feelings in the world that I don’t want to miss. I want it to be fun and full of surprises. I prefer a church wedding because I want it to be solemn. I’m not planning to spend all of my fortune. I just want a unique wedding that will not be forgotten.”

Paz Ancheta, a government employee, shares two things that she definitely wants to happen on her wedding day, “I’ll wear a pink wedding gown and my mom will sing The Lord’s Prayer.”

Ann, a business owner, says that the church and reception venue should be air conditioned. She adds, “I dream of marrying the man I truly deserve and who truly loves me and cares for me. I plan to have a simple but elegant wedding with my family and closest friends. I envision myself wearing a white lace gown with a colorful bouquet walking down the aisle with a big smile on my face, while I see my handsome groom in a barong, happily waiting for me at the altar. I’ll be the most beautiful and happiest woman on my wedding day.”

Ms. Apple Green, RRY, an Early Childhood Education Teacher, details her dream wedding, “I dream of getting married in a church with a LONG aisle, on top of a mountain or a hill, before sunset. I imagine myself marching with a long lace veil covering my face and making a long train at the back, holding a bouquet with a mixture of baby pink, apple green and white tulips, with white rose petals scattered on the red carpet, and flowers with the same color motif on the aisles.

“All the important people in my life (dressed in white) watch me as I march towards my groom with a wide smile and a radiant face, to the music of The First Time I Loved Forever played by a quartet and sang by an all male choir. The reception, in a spacious garden outside the church overlooking the beach, is lighted by torches. Tables adorned by the same flowers as in the church will have a green apple fruit in the middle of the arrangement,” she continues.

All the ladies I interviewed didn’t mention a particular month for their wedding except Hazel Rosario, a Software Quality Assurance Manager, who wants her Greek-inspired wedding with white and gold motif to be in the month of December. She further imagines, “I want to look like a Greek goddess! I want my gown to be simple yet sophisticated, no heavy lace and no layers and layers of fabric. I want it to be very light and flowing with minimal embellishments, hand-painted gold design at the trail and at the edge of the gown.

“I want the ceremony to be in an old church or chapel made of wood and decorated like an enchanted forest. It will be simple yet solemn with the people dear to me and my bridegroom present. Our family members and close friends will compose the entourage. When I look behind from the altar, I want to see familiar faces sharing this wonderful event with us. The reception will be at a private resort where our guests will party until the wee hours of the morning.”

Each one has her own unique dream wedding in mind. Each dream wedding is as beautifully unique as each of these future brides.

How about you? Were you inspired to imagine your own dream wedding by simply reading this article? Go ahead! A boyfriend or fiancé is not a prerequisite to imagining your dream wedding. Don’t let your circumstances stop you. As mentioned earlier in this article, I imagined and planned my dream wedding MANY years before I had my first boyfriend. I even sketched my dream wedding gown and the gowns of the women in my entourage! I had imagined almost every detail that many of my close friends then would tell me in jest that all I needed was a bridegroom because I had it all planned in my head.

I believed that being specific in my dreams and prayers would increase the chances of my dream coming true. Just like in Cinderella’s song, I kept on believing until the dream that I wished came true on December 19, 2007. The wedding of my dreams took place as I imagined it almost up to the last detail. Almost… because as my priest-friend who officiated my wedding said in his homily, “After all the planning and hard work, there comes a time when we just have to sit back and accept everything as it unfolds, just as it is… according to the script of the Lord Himself.”

Cheers, to all future brides! And to the 2012 June Brides, enjoy your wedding day and savor every moment!

Teresa authored the book When My Bridegroom Comes. She met her first and only boyfriend (who eventually became her bridegroom) at a Valentine’s party where she launched her book. Their love story was published in the book 40 Stories of Finding Your One True Love by Bo Sanchez. To order a copy of her book and share your dream wedding in her blog, email her at teregmps@yahoo.com or whenmybridegroomcomes@yahoo.com.

This was originally published on June 4, 2012 at The Philippine Online Chronicles.

Ideas on how couples can nurture and improve their relationships

2013-01-02T17:34:00.001+08:00

Let me begin this New Year post by thanking all of you who have been reading my blog and encouraging me in your own simple way to continue developing and using my gift of writing. You are one of my biggest blessings last year. I am amazed at the number of pageviews this blog of mine already has at this time and at year end a few days ago. I thank the Lord for the inspiration to start this new blog around May of last year.

Now, for my first post this year...

I had been terribly busy during the last quarter of last year that I hardly had the time to update this blog of mine. With God's help, I hope and pray I'd be able to write more often for this blog this year -- maybe at least a month. I still have a lot of ideas that I have yet to put into writing. I trust that if God wills it, I would be able to post them here soon.

Around three years ago, I listed in my blog some ideas on what activities couples can do on their monthsaries that can help nurture and improve their relationships. Let me quote from my previous post and share some examples of activities I have listed for me and my husband.

"I believe that marriages these days face a lot more challenges than in the past. One big reason for this is busyness. The world we live in now is so fast-paced. Couples often find themselves hurrying from one place to another, scampering to finish one task after another. Unfortunately, with all the things we think we need to do, sometimes nurturing our relationships takes a back seat. This should not be; because no matter how so in love a couple is, sooner or later the feeling will die down and hard work should begin to continuously work on keeping the love alive."

"My husband and I are not spared from these challenges. Even with all the planning that I do, I still sometimes find myself having so much on my plate. The same is true for my husband who has a very demanding job right now – a tough job that entails him to be on call 24/7. While we are praying and waiting on the Lord to hear our prayer that he would find a new position where he doesn’t need to be on call 24/7, I made a list yesterday of activities the two of us can do during our monthsary celebrations to continuously keep our love alive and our bonding strong. I’m sharing these with you thinking that some couples out there might also benefit from them."

1. Meet with Ninongs and Ninangs (principal sponsors) to share concerns and ask them for tips on how they were able to overcome similar challenges when they were young couples like us. It’s also a time for us to share with them our joys and victories as a couple. This could be done on a quarterly basis.

3. Watch a love story in the movie house or at home and discuss the good points from the movie that we can learn from or adapt in our relationship.

10. Meet with single friends and inspire them with our love story.

12. Visit model houses and discuss dreams for future house and ideas on how to make it a reality.

16. Serve each other throughout the day using the 5 Love languages.

Click here to read my previous blog post in full.

You can come up with your own list or adapt some of these which you find appealing or interesting to you and your spouse. The important thing is you make time to keep the fire of love burning between the two of you.

Cheers to a year full of love, hope, and dreams coming true for you and your families!

Garden Venues in Marikina

2012-11-15T20:45:00.005+08:00

Marikina residents need not go out of the city to look for garden-inspired venues for their wedding. These five venues are perfect for Marikina couples who not not want the hassle of travelling far from their homes and whose relatives, friends and other guests are mostly from the same city. Check out these venues I have listed below and see if there is at least one that fits your criteria.

1. World of Butterflies - The World of Butterflies is located at the corner of Champagnat and Gen. Ordonez Streets, Barangay Marikina Heights and right beside Marikina Heights National High School.

Telephone numbers: 941-3747 or 430-9737.

Garden capacity is up to 200 pax. Click here to check out some pictures.

2. Lai-Lyn's Garden - This is located at #8 E. Rodriguez Ave., Sto Nino, Marikina City. Click here to see the map.

Telephone numbers: 933-09-78 / 997-7672
Telefax: 998-87-97
Email address: reservations@lailynscatering.com

Contact Person: Eliza Lyn Labos

Click here to see some pictures and here for the wedding packages.

3. La Veranda Marikina and Garden Spa - This is located at The Marikina Orchidarium Compound, #70 General Ordonez St. Marikina Heights, Marikina City, Philippines. Click here to see the map.

Telephone number: (632) 940-4811

Fax Number: (632) 941- 5035

Email address: info@laveranda-marikina.com

Click here to see some pictures.

4. Villa Ronar Garden Resort and Hotel - This is located at 112 Dao St. corner Champaca St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City.

Telephone Numbers: 475-4093 / 998-8448 / 502-9184
Mobile number: 0917-8151029

5. Water Nymph Resort - This is located at Pio del Pilar cor. Tecson Sts., Concepcion Dos, Marikina City. Click here to check the map.

Telephone number : (632) 948 2293

Telefax: 948-2293
Mobile number: (632) 927 354 2212

Email Addresses:

waternymphresort.eventsvenue@gmail.com,

water_nymph_resort@yahoo.com, info@waternymphresort.com

Click here to see some pictures.

God of My Tomorrows

2012-11-08T10:44:00.002+08:00

Here's a poem I wrote years ago when I had no idea what would happen next in my life. I wrote it at a time when I had so many uncertainties. I chose to embrace the grace of God instead of letting my uncertainties sow seeds of doubt in my heart.

I'm sharing it today in my blog today because I'm at a point in my life now when there are many new opportunities coming my way. They are all good but as with many new things, they bring with them many uncertainties as well. Today, I choose to surrender once more my future, my endeavors, plans and dreams to God.

This poem was inspired by my meditations on Jeremiah 29:11-14 and Judith 9:5-6. I wrote it on December 29, 2004 and was eventually published in my book When My Bridegroom Comes in 2005. I find comfort in these words every time I'm confronted with uncertainty about my future. I hope it would inspire others who are in the same boat.

God of My Tomorrows

I woke up one morning

Not knowing where to run

Stumbling in the darkness

Groping for the sun

God, where is tomorrow?

I asked, "What lies ahead?"

My heart filled with sorrow

These questions in my head

Then you came with answers

I've waited for so long

You brought light and meaning

Now I can sing this song

Your hand guided all that happened

Everything was part of your plan

Past, present, what is yet to come...

Who am I to challenge your wisdom?

Who am I to question your plan?

Your Word, once spoken, is as good as done

Now all my tomorrows

Are in your mighty hands

You who hold the future

Now also hold my hand