My Solace, My Love

Featuring Jermaine Manas and Mariah Pobre

February 16 may not have held any particular significance for Jermaine and me, but it became etched in our hearts as our wedding date. Jermaine, or as I affectionately call him, Manas (a habit I still maintain by addressing him with his last name), finally proposed. It was a moment eagerly awaited by many, as our journey together had spanned 11 years, on the verge of turning 12. Half of that time was spent in a long-distance relationship, and leading up to his proposal, we hadn’t seen each other in person for a year and four months. My relocation to the United States during the height of the pandemic in 2020, coupled with the challenges it brought to Manas’s career as a pilot, made it exceedingly difficult for him to visit me abroad. However, fate smiled upon us on February 17, 2022, when he popped the question atop a serene hill in Berkeley, California, with a breathtaking panoramic view as our backdrop.

There was only one place where we envisioned celebrating our wedding reception: the enchanting Antonio’s in Tagaytay. Our connection with this place dates back to 2015 when we had a memorable date thereafter yet another year apart. Even though we were young and unaccustomed to splurging on dates, that evening was a special exception. I vividly recall gazing down from our table to the veranda, and we both instantly fell in love with the venue. From that moment forward, there was no other place where we wanted to exchange our vows.

After sharing countless years together, we felt that our wedding should serve as a heartfelt thank-you to those who had supported our relationship throughout the years. After over a decade, this was the first time we would openly display our vulnerability in front of our cherished friends and family. We were not inclined towards extravagance and opulence, which is why we chose fresh and playful decorations. Our inspiration stemmed from the vibrant and bold colors of citrus fruits, which led us to craft a Positano-themed wedding, complete with blue, yellow, and white floral arrangements. Lemons adorned every corner, from the chapel pews to the reception tables.

Our wedding accoutrements bore patterns reminiscent of Spode, including the Tic Tacs used as table placement cards. The bridesmaids and entourage donned varying shades of pastel blues and yellows in diverse textures and patterns to harmonize with the theme. We aimed to transport our guests to a vacation-like atmosphere, which is why our invitations were designed to resemble vintage travel posters.

Our wedding was a collaborative endeavor, not just between Manas and me, but also involving our closest family and friends. Father Samuel, a close family friend, presided over our wedding ceremony and granted us the rare privilege of reciting custom wedding vows within the Catholic Church. This was a cherished moment for us, and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to profess our love in front of God and our dearest friends and family. My bridal gown was designed by Veluz Reyes, my mom’s childhood friend, and a true icon who perfectly captured my style with a Taffeta gown and vintage-inspired voluminous veil. She also designed my mom’s emerald green dress. Our wedding stylist, Marlon Garcia, a production designer and a close friend of my aunt, wowed us with his imaginative concepts, such as combining faux birds with lemons in a way that somehow worked. My cousin, Erica Racela, who primarily works in the film industry, handled my makeup on that special day and also played a role in the entourage.

Wedding coordination was expertly managed by Ernest Pascual, whom we consider a close family friend after he organized my mom’s wedding eight years ago. Even the choir singers at our wedding ceremony were friends and family from abroad; their harmonious performance made it seem as if they had been singing together for years.

The day before the wedding, we hosted a 70s inspired rehearsal dinner which amped up the spirits of our guests. By reception everyone was extremely comfortable and giddy to be in each other’s company. During the after party, our host even came up to me to praise the guests as they were one of the most attentive and participative he has encountered. And sure enough one of the guests just started dancing in a “bahag”. Yes you read that right. We purposely avoided any downtime for our guests—even spent time with them during cocktail hours, planned out games that would make even the most elusive guest participate in; and we were so glad all those things paid off.

In one of the speeches, a friend remarked that we made love seem effortless. I must admit, our love story was far from easy, but choosing each other was the only path we ever considered. As I walked down the aisle, with my father overcome by emotion and the Beatles’ “Real Love” playing, I gazed at my first and last love, tears mingling with laughter. I couldn’t help but think back to the wild idea I shared with Manas eight years ago at Antonio’s: “Can you imagine if all our friends and family were here?”