Supreme

Way back into love

February 18, 2012 | 12:00am

Let’s face it. Relationships are tricky these days. The three words “I love you” that couples used to stick to have been reduced to two — the easier escape route of “give up.”

Every so often you bump into a couple who makes you see the bigger picture, that there is a longer term, and although “forever” is too daunting, it may still be possible. We grew up in a generation where people worked it out, or at least they tried their best to, and for whatever reason it was, they stayed together.

The start of the year 2012 was an eye-opener for me, I flew to Boracay island not knowing what to expect, except for white sand beaches with a backdrop of a beautiful sunset. “You’re going to be my man-of-honor,” said Cris Albert, Fila royalty and always full of surprises. “Okay,” I said, not knowing what the term fully meant. I cannot say no when it comes to loved ones. I trust them enough to want only the best for me as they would themselves.

One day, I woke up and the Fila text on my phone read, “Proceed to the villa, wear white.” Even at the beach I am always sartorially prepared, so off I went to Shangri-La Boracay from our home in Discovery Shores. I was with Discovery Shores GM Jun Parreno and we got the same message. Life is all about embracing the surprises and here we were, about to step into one.

What we saw was a blushing Cris Albert, being assisted by mom Wanda Louwallien and makeup artist Victor Ortega. It seemed like she was getting ready for a wedding — not any other person’s wedding, but her own! It turns out this was a surprise renewal of vows, for her husband of 18 years Butch Albert, an admirable man of faith and family. I have known both for about a decade now and they have been a great example of how respect and love beget both in a relationship that works.

Surprise Renewal Of The Vow

“Only my wife can pull something like this off,” Butch Albert said about his wife, Cris.

Right smack during the sunset, the groom arrived for his “gunshot” renewal of vows. His surprise was apparent but that, according to him, answers the question in his mind why everyone was missing in the resort. Everyone was busy preparing for that moment. Butch was all smiles, “Only my wife can pull something like this off.”

The soundtrack of “Mamma Mia! The Musical” played in the background, with the whole cast (that was us) echoing “I do, I do, I do, I do” as we all marched towards the sunset to celebrate with the couple who exuded so much love for each other. “In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do us part.” The vow of love, no matter how many times we hear it, said in different ways, still brings tears to the eyes.

Each one of us in the 15-member ceremony and reception gave our speeches, each one remembering moments of love with the couple, thereby reminding ourselves of how it is to love better. Ironically, Cris the newly-renewed bride calls everyone not by their first names, but by the term of endearment: “Love.”

Belting out hits from Mamma Mia! Abby Yap, Victor Ortega, Jun Parenno, Wana Louwallien, and Elena Brugger

Sometimes it takes other people to remind us that this is what we were born for. In the business of everyday living we get caught up in the moment, and forget other things that make human living more than lovable. Never forget to take a few steps back to move more steps forward. Go ahead, take the plunge, and choose to love.

For some it may take awhile, for others it takes that moment where your paths collide, and then you look at each other and tell each other, “Yes, I do love you.” Even if it takes 18 years to do so, again and again.

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