ENRIQUE GONZALES & MONIQUE BORJA: A double dose of happiness
Monique Borja and Enrique Gonzales were introduced to each other when their respective cousins Nikki Badelles and Bianca Locsin decided that these two should meet via a group date in August 2012. And so they met. Enrique was being his usual gregarious self and sang a cheesy rock ballad to entertain the group, but Monique wasn’t impressed. In fact, the beautiful yoga instructor/entrepreneur found him boisterous and loud.
On the other hand, Enrique knew who Monique was because he had seen her in a common friend’s house 12 years prior and was immediately attracted to Monique who was still in college then. He was smitten and for once was speechless. Yet, he did not have the chance to know her better.
Monique gave the Harvard-educated Enrique another chance for a second date on one condition: He should attend her yoga class. Monique put Enrique through a test to see how he would do with all the yoga poses and sequences.
Enrique knew he had to make a good impression so he mastered all the yoga poses and sequences. To her surprise, he had the longest head stand and passed with flying colors. After this strenuous physical test, Monique felt at ease especially when she learned that they had so much in common in terms of spirituality, work, life and values.
Enrique immediately knew that he had found his love and a few months later, while the Borjas were on a family trip in Tokyo, he formally asked Monique’s father Jojo Borja permission to court his daughter. The couple became inseparable since. The courtship culminated on a wintry December when Enrique surprised his love by proposing with a sparkling De Beers diamond ring beside the Farm Street Chapel on Mount Street in London, one of their favorite cities.
The June nuptials at Béthanie Chapel in Hong Kong was planned with Rita Neri at the helm. A beautiful reception followed at Four Seasons Hotel. The radiant bride wore a gown by Indonesian designer Tex Saverio, one the new fashion stars in this year’s Paris Fashion Week. Our very own Jun Escario designed the gown that was worn during the dinner reception.
Amid the festivity, there were even more reasons to be joyous when the groom announced that this was a double celebration as they were happily expecting a baby that would bring them “double happiness,” as they say in Chinese.
During the toasts, Enrique lovingly spoke to his bride and declared to one and all, “You are my answered prayer, there is nothing in this world I will not do for you.”
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