One night, late November 2000, Dad made a short phone call to Ninang Janette telling her he's leaving Saudi Arabia for Philippines. Ninang Janette was a cousin of Dad. Ninang Janette asked Dad about: "'Paano na'ng alaga ko?" or in a more common term, "inirereto ko." She was actually referring to Mom (the girl she beau to Dad).

Dad was not sure of what he is to answer. He just nooded in agreement and set the date when and where he and Mom could meet.

Their first personal encounter with each other was in the car park waiting area of the RKH hospital where Mom used to work. Mom came there with Ninang Janette while Dad came along with Ninong Jomari.

Immediately, Dad took Mom's telephone number and address. That evening, after they have gone to their houses they had their first conversation over the phone lasted for about an hour.

In that phone conversation, they've taken their chance to somehow get to know each other since they may not be able to meet that much as Mom was working as a Nurse while Dad was working as a Computer Technician for another company, which made them busy for most of their time.

My Mom was the first lady that Dad gave three white roses, even though Dad really liked red ones. White was the favorite color of Mom. It's been my Dad's longing in his early adulthood to give such roses only to the lady whom he had chosen or had decided to marry.

And so the story goes...

They got married on the 19th of March 2000 in Pangasinan, Philippines.

Their marriage was an answered prayer. and having me too! Their Bible verse then was in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Their marriage song was, "Join Our Hearts."