Planning and coordination: Shekinah Lasmarias and Rish Alejandro of Bash Grandeur Weddings and Events
Wedding/Event stylist: Bash designs team
Hair and make up: Alain Adeva
Videographer: Tibo Martinez Videography
Associate Photographer: Carlo Gaid
“In a world that I seldom understand, there are winds of destiny that blow when we least expect them. Sometimes they gust with the fury of a hurricane, sometimes they barely fan one’s cheek. But the winds cannot be denied, bringing as they often do a future that is impossible to ignore. You, my darling, are the wind that I did not anticipate, the wind that has gusted more strongly than I ever imagined possible. You are my destiny.” –Message in a Bottle
Allen and Gwen’s love story is a tale of two people whose lives have been intricately woven together by fate. It’s as if the universe has conspired to put them at the right place and exactly at the right moment. They met, became friends, fell in love and tied the knot under circumstances that would have called for them to just quit and forget about it all. But destiny was stronger than the difficulties they were facing and it was also stubborn enough keep them together. The winds of destiny certainly swept them away, but it did not start out that way. They entered into each other’s lives quietly and subtly like a soft wind blowing on one’s cheek… and the next thing they know, their love became “a wind that has gusted more strongly than they ever imagined possible”.
In 2009, she flew to Manila and met him there. They both love Japanese Anime and got acquainted at an Anime convention. There were no fireworks nor was it love at first sight. But the meeting was, although seemingly unexceptional, was definitely a preamble for something spectacular. Slowly but surely, their paths cross and would later walk together roads which they used tread alone.
A year later, Gwen logged in on a chat room where anime lovers got together. Allen happened to be online too and he initiates a small talk with her. After communicating regularly in the days that followed, Allen becomes more serious of his pursuit and ‘officially’ courted Gwen, even asking her mom for permission.
The courtship blossomed into a relationship and after four months of being online lovers and being oceans apart, they met up. Yes, it was without a doubt a dramatic meeting at the airport worthy of a Hollywood screenplay. Gwen boarded on a plane to Manila and Allen was there, waiting eagerly for her at NAIA 3. The moments they spent together, albeit short, was deeply cherished. Their once separate lives are now beginning to mingle, sweetly.
The love they had for each other grew over the years. Allen was Gwen’s first love and both of them decided that this would be the last. It was this devotion that they had for each other, which defied all the odds they were facing. According to their friends, long distance always takes a toll on relationships and they were bound to simply fall apart, just like the rest who are in “LDR”. Determined to be an exception to this rule, they listened to their heart more than they listened to the voice of detractors and proved everyone wrong in the end. After three years of being geographically apart, the two became one in a beautiful wedding ceremony.
The long flights to Manila, Cebu or Cagayan, the loneliness of being physically separated from the beloved, and all the challenges that Allen and Gwen faced… became worth it all. Love always makes it worth it all. And the fact that it was God that brought them together, made it more certain, that nothing could keep them apart, no not even distance.
“Here we are, no more distance and finally married. Little miracles do happen everyday in our lives, just like what my best friend always say. The fact that Allen and I were able to log in at the same time on the same chat room, is a testament of God’s miracle. This love we share is a miracle in itself—the miracle of finding someone who you can be yourself with.” --Gwen
