Mighty day for the 0’96, Barnett, Kris, KRA staff, Manong-Joey-the-driver.

MORNING

1. Before the day began, we at Laoag Renzo Hotel first celebrated Mitch’s birthday over breakfast.

1. First stop: the Big house in Laoag to haul the Japanese lanterns to Sta. Monica Garden in Sarrat.

1. Set-up pa rin sa Sta. Monica Garden – Fort Ilocandia group, Municipality of Sarrat group, my florists, and the 096+Barnett

1. We left Riza and Shey to be our thinking people at Sta. Monica Garden.

1. The rest of us went back to the Big House to haul our wedding stuff to Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino (FIRC).

1. At FIRC: Got the allegedly final list of rooms for our guests; checked-in; prepared some stuff for room-to-room distribution later.

1. Engkwentro sa FIRC Lobby.Sermon uli sa bride! Hay!To get over, apologized na — sigh sigh what a sight siguro, umiiyak na berby sa FIRC Lobby.

1. Then, set-up the welcome tarp sa may entrance ng FIRC.

1. Fetched Shey and Riza at Sarrat.

AFTERNOON

1. Lunch at Chicken Ati-Atihan — “mandated” to eat there.

1. Checked-out and get stuff from Laoag Renzo Hotel.

1. Back at FIRC to distribute items for guests at their rooms — welcome note, map of Ilocos Norte, fans, giveaway, thank you token for members of the entourage and those who did us favors; and thank you cards.

1. A reply to my “Thank You text” for our transpo — a let down alleging I how I neglected people and cause their family pain.Sigh, sigh.The afternoon and night before the wedding, pinagsasabihan pa rin ako ng masasakit na salita.

***Berby sobbing to friends* Uwi na tayo Manila; please, uwi na tayo Manila…

Pagod na pagod na ako, pero ang daming kailangan gawin.Kung sila kasi tumulong ng kusa, hindi maging alagain, at hindi na magpasama pa ng loob; then, nakakagana sana gawin lahat ng ito.***

Naku, pasalamat si Kris mabait mga 0’96 ‘coz I am sure, they would have abided, uwi na talaga kami Manila…if not, we’d just sleep in ng October 11. ha!

NIGHT

1. Big house for merienda-sena and meeting for final tasking.

1. Distribute thank you tokens and emergency kits to nephews and nieces.

1. Bride needs to have nails done daw; although I wanted to go with Shey and the other 0’96 to do final inspection at Sta. Monica Church and Garden.

1. Nephews and nieces preparing for MTV for their uncle; the snacks for tomorrow’s tour; and final touches on the principal sponsors’ gifts (Ilocos products — bagnet, chichacorn, garlic, pasuoquin bread, Zoom-in post cards, map of ilocos norte, thank you card, and sukang Iloco).

1. Paalam…and yes, hiniritan pa rin ng hurtful words.I swear, today is endless sa mga masasakit na salita!

1. Despite eating miki, gutom pa rin kami…drive-through sa Jollibee!Hehe, so what if hindi kakasya sa gowns?Hunger calls.

1. Finally, we’re at FIRC. Kanya-kanyang diskarte na:

1. Shey and I borrowed Ate Abi’s mannequin at her store in FIRC for the bridal gown.Since malayo, my gown maker did not provide one and I have no qualms na flat na lang pi-picture-an my gown.Pero, Shey insisted. Haha, olats ako sa kakikayan ni Shey!

2. Some 0’96ers, Julia, Sten, and Sten’s Mom busied themselves with ironing the gowns.Isuot ang gown sa mannequin, i-lay-out ang veil and bridal thingies.

3. Mildz, Vanny, Faye, and Roy talked about the flow sa church tom and nag-lay-out ng bridal suite for the pictorials.

4. Pam, Majah and I focused on the projected missalette and the flow of music (gasp, hindi ko pa pala na-folderize!)

5. GP and Betty practiced the missalette — bawal ang ma-wrong diction!

6. Everyone was shouting for me to do my ablutions and sleep na!

MIDNIGHT

1. When the rooms settled na, two things still bothered me: vows and the photo slide

1. I know Kris would do an Oath of Office.Ang pangit naman if I will not have any “legal” thing din.And so, I jotted down a simple vow in an affidavit format.

2. I know na-lay-out ko na lahat ng photos namin ni Kris in one folder for the photo slide during the reception. Marami rin yun ah. Sigh, I wonder why I am losing that folder.  Post note:  nasa USB flash drive pala na pinahiram ko kina RB.  They needed video converters kasi for their video presentation for Kris; promised to return my flash drive by 12mn; they took longer, that their mom did not allow them daw to get out of their room na to return so to me when they were done.  Shey tuloy had to re-compile all the photos I have in my laptop in one folder.  Ayusin na lang ni Pam for slide show before the reception.