A Choc-Nut love affair

He courted her with three pieces of Choc-Nut every day. She went out with him on their first coffee date in 7-11, drinking instant coffee. He popped the magic question by writing, “Will you marry me?” on a paper napkin while sipping their favorite brew in Starbucks. And last July 5, in the presence of God and the people dear to their hearts, Marnie  Pulumbarit walked down the aisle of Christ The King in Greenmeadows Avenue, Quezon City, knowing fully in her heart that by the altar she would be met by Jiggy Manicad, the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

Their story is a beautiful proof that love works in mysterious ways. And when the mystery is unlocked, blissful memories are created — enough to last them a lifetime.

“We met at the GMA newsroom in 2003,” Marnie recalls. “I was hired as a news desk editor and Jiggy mistook me as an intern. At that time, he just got back from the Iraq War coverage. There he was looking seriously rugged, leaning towards a cubicle while reading a newspaper. He immediately caught my attention, and everything went slow motion from then on, just like in the movies, the type of feeling where you get butterflies in your stomach and an oh-so giddy feeling.” 

Unknowingly, during the exact same time, Jiggy was also having a jamboree in his heart and mind. Marnie was a sight to behold, especially for a reporter like him who just arrived from war-torn Iraq.

“It was love at first sight,” Jiggy cracks, his face is flushed. “I was actually not reading the paper. I was just holding it to cover my face because I was talking to PJ Cana, former news desk editor of GMA, asking him to introduce me to Marnie.”

What happened next after that brief introduction was a whirlpool of beautiful experiences — some made them laugh, others made them cry in a touching, soulful way. But the total picture of their five-year boyfriend-girlfriend relationship (including two years of being engaged) prepared them to become stronger as husband and wife. 

“When Jiggy and I became ‘friends’, he would always give me three pieces of Choc-Nut. My other suitors would give me expensive catered food or ask me out to nice restaurants but it was Jiggy’s simple Choc-Nut that made me fall. Then he asked me to go out for coffee. In my mind I thought he would bring me to a nice place. He brought me to 7-11 and we had 3-in-1 instant coffee,” Marnie says, her guffaws echoing, like the love she has for her husband. The proposal scene, Marnie adds, happened at Starbucks. What Jiggy couldn’t say verbally at first, he expressed it by writing the magic question on a Starbucks paper napkin.

Marnie and Jiggy knew they were meant for each other because of the many commonalities they have. They both went to the University of the Philippines, Marnie in Diliman (Broadcast Communication) and Jiggy in Los Baños (where we became friends and classmates while taking up Communication Arts). They were surprised to find out that their childhood dream is the same: to become an astronaut.

Marnie and Jiggy, being best friends and lovers, know how to support each other. Their relationship was put to the test when Marnie took her Master’s for TV and Film Directing at Goldsmiths College in the University of London for one and a half years. Jiggy would e-mail her love letters every day. Also, he flew to London to attend Marnie’s birthday and watch the premiere of Marnie’s short film.

They both love to laugh and amuse themselves, a classic example of which was when they did “dirty dancing” to the tune of The Time of My Life ­ — while both wearing their Renee Salud gown and barong — as their first dance as a couple at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club Pavilion, where their wedding reception was held.

But the common denominator that truly glues them together is their faith in God and love for their families.

“Before I proposed to Marnie, I secretly went first to her parents (Nemencio Jr. and Wilhelmina Pulumbarit) to ask for her hand. I must admit they were very supportive of me and Marnie and they treated me like family even at the onset of the relationship. So kapag inaaway ako ni Marnie, isinusumbong ko sya sa Mommy at Daddy nya,” beams Jiggy, who is now a news producer for GMA, where he also co-hosts the investigative news magazine show Reporter’s Notebook. (Jiggy would always bring native papaya, buco pie, chicken pie and fish from San Pablo City to Marnie’s house weekly to woo not only Marnie but the rest of her family as well.)

“I must also say that Jiggy’s family (his parents Rodrigo Sr. and Luzviminda Manicad and Jiggy’s two aunts Lolita and Precy Manicad) made me feel at home from the very start of our love affair and that truly made a very big difference in our relationship,” says Marnie, now an entertainment TV and indie film director for the Kapuso network.

Their differences, on the other hand, are also very stark that they concomitantly complement each other. Marnie’s weaknesses are Jiggy’s strength and vice versa. He’s “makalat.” She’s organized. Marnie taught Jiggy to be patient and understanding. He taught her to be grounded and find ultimate happiness in simplicity and sincerity. Together, they taught each other how to fall in love head over heels.

“It was really his sincerity and purity of heart that made me fall in love with him,” Marnie says. “I know he will always take care of me and love me unconditionally. Generic as it may seem, he is the type of guy you wouldn’t want to let go of. Strong-willed, focused on his goals and above all, God-fearing! Traits that are unique at this day and age. When Jiggy says something, he will definitely do it. You don’t have to remind him about things, he remembers everything.”

Their love for each other is summed up in their personal wedding vows.

Marnie says, “Jiggy, we are really so close that sometimes I don’t know where you end and I begin. You’re the kind of person I’ve always wanted on my team, in my corner, by my side. I love you in ways that could not even find the words to even begin to tell you. Every day. A new day. A new beginning. In the presence of our dearest friend — our Father God — the point of the triangle that binds us, I submit myself to you. I promise to be the one you can count on to share all of life’s ups and downs. I promise to make you smile every day, to fall in love with you again and again and to share my heart and soul with you all the days of my life. I promise to love, honor, cherish and above all respect you. I humbly give you my hand and my heart as I pledge my faith and my undying love to you. From now on, I will be your best friend, your partner, your confidant, your home, your wife.”

When it was Jiggy’s turn to say his solemn vow, he says it with a smile and tears welling in his eyes:  “Marnie, matagal na nating hinintay ang araw na ito. Hindi ko maipapangako sa iyo ang sun and moon, but I promise you my fidelity, love and prayers. Mahal na mahal kita.”

Then they both melt in each other’s arms.

(For your new beginnings, please e-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com or my.new.beginnings@gmail.com. You may also snail mail me at The Philippine Star, R. Oca cor. Railroad Streets, Port Area, Manila. Have a blessed Sunday.)