the march 18 challenge

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March 18, 2006 — The date my cousin, Kuya Bimbo, was getting married… And I was assigned to drive the bridal car. I had dropped in late the night before, and parked my car in my uncle’s (his dad, my mom’s brother) garage (because the guys there would clean it) before going to my aunt’s (my mom’s sister) house to sleep there.

The next day, I was up at 6am, I went to my uncle’s house with my niece. She was scheduled for flower girls’ makeover, while I was to get the car and have it dressed up by the florist back at my aunt’s house. Everything was set and ready to go before 7am. I then had breakfast and proceeded to getting myself ready.

At 8:45am, while my aunts and cousins were getting dolled up, I went ahead to fetch the bride, Ginny, and her parents at a hotel in a different part of the town. To my surprise, I found SUVsthere, with a pair of motorbikes. It looked like a VIP entourage! The motorbike drivers, who turned out to be our escorts, were equally surprised to find out that I was driving the bridal car. After making sure that the groom’s entourage was en route to the wedding venue, Ginny and her parents boarded my car together with the cameraman… full wedding coverage.

I had never been a part of a convoy before, so I was really tense while driving at an average of 80kph tailgating the motorbike escorts, and being tailed in turn by one of the SUVs (the other one went ahead of the convoy). We made it to Kamayaan sa Palaisdaan in half the time I typically spend to drive that distance! That’s thanks to the escorts who made sure that oncoming traffic would stop and that the vehicles in front of the entourage would go to the shoulder of the road.

When we arrived, Kuya Reggie and Kuya Jobel, who I called MIB (men in barong — hehehe!) were waiting for me, and they asked how it was for me to drive that way (I think I disobeyed every rule in defensive driving that day). The ceremony was delayed a bit because the priest was late. But finally, the wedding began, and I stood in the back ready to take over the hosting chores from the lector for the reception.

Finally, the wedding ended and the reception began. I was just given general instructions by Ginny, and the camerapersons (to be politically correct) were not giving specific directions, so I just decided to wing it. Everything went on smoothly until the queue for the buffet table began. It turned out that the food table was in a narrow part of the reception area, and that the guests should be organized to get there (to avoid congesting the area). Anyway, Kuya Reggie and I became usher and usherette while Kuya Jobel was busy with the guestbook signing. As expected, both of us were vastly outnumbered by hungry guests, so we finally gave up with the ushering. Since I was still the emcee, I had to speak a few lines while lunch was being eaten. I barely had five bites of my food before I was called again… this time as errand girl. I had to collect some things (the souvenirs and a board where people sign their greetings) from the car, and follow instructions from the maid of honor.

Good thing I decided against wearing a gown or a sundress. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able move as quickly as I did. I was wearing a skirt and a blouse (very apt for the humid conditions), though I was wearing high-heeled sandals (to keep with the formal setting). Another brilliant decision I had was to bring my slippers in the car. So when the reception had ended and the guests had left, I changed into my slippers; just in time because I was about ot get cramps in my legs… and I won’t be able to drive with that!

Despite the challenges in the background, it looked like all the guests were fed, and the newlyweds were enjoying the festivities. Overall, the Odejar-Alfonso wedding was a blast. My congratulations go to Kuya Bimbo and Ginny. :0)

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