A Love Story

Written to be read at the wedding reception during the couple's grand entrace... Poly and Ruby met in Mindanao State University where they were blockmates. Theirs was not love at first sight. In fact, they barely knew each other. It was on their third year at the university that they became close. Little did they know that the friendship would lead to a more exciting, refreshing, complicated yet simple relationship. On February 14, 2003, Poly invited Ruby on a Valentine’s concert in school. After 3 days, Poly said “the magic words”. February 27, 2003 at the silent halls of the Mindanao State University Library, Ruby said “Yes, let’s see if this would work.” And work, it did. According to Ruby, she believes Poly is her answered prayer. December 2002, Ruby completed the (9) nine mornings. It is said that if you do so, you are entitled to one wish. Ruby wished for 3 simple signs if the time would come that she would find “The One”. 1) That whoever is the man; they will become close friends first. 2) That whoever he’ll be, he would be more intelligent than she is. 3) Whoever he will be, he must not ask her if he can court her, instead he would just do. Needless to say, that was exactly what happened with Poly. Poly believes that Ruby is his lucky charm. After they became a couple, Poly became inspired more than ever to do well with his studies. He soared high on his quest for success. He won quiz bees, founded and led organizations, achieved great grades and topped the class, graduated cum laude and ranked 10th place on the 2004 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination. Moreover, he was very happy with Ruby. After working in Manila for 2 years, their eyes have been opened on the harsh realities of life. They know that it would take them a long time before they are confident and financially stable enough to settle down considering the pay and the way of life in Manila. Therefore on May 2007, Poly left for Dubai to find greener pastures and to jumpstart their dreams. Meanwhile, Ruby was assigned to work in Japan on January 2008. Being apart, their love for each other was tested by time, people and the loneliness distance brought about. Still, they stood strong and fought to keep each other. July 7, 2009, on the 27th birthday of Ruby, Poly surprised her through email by asking her if she would marry him in Japanese and Arabic language. It took them six years and five months as girlfriend and boyfriend before deciding to tie the knot. Exactly seven years after they said yes to each other, they said yes to together forever earlier today… Happy 7th Anniversary Poly and Ruby as a couple and welcome to married life Mr. and Mrs. Louie James T. Bendanillo.

Just to be with you

You'd think by now I am used to this-it's almost 4 years that you are working abroad. But no... everyday when I wake up, the emptiness sits in again and again. You are the last thing on my mind when I go to sleep and you are the first when I wake up. Then I question myself... "Are we doing the right thing by being apart?" Back then, when we discussed that I will stay here in the Philippines, it somehow made sense... But now, I don't know anymore... " Why I am still here? What am I doing here?". I realized that time is indeed precious. When it's gone, you could never take it back. We never know know when God will call us to be by HIs side. It maybe today, tomorrow, the week after, 10 years, 20 years... only God knows... I don't want to wake up one day (or not wake up) with only regrets that we spent much of our days apart. There are only a few things that I most desire and one of these is just to be with you. To wake up with you, sleep with you, kiss you, hug you, love you and let you know how happy I am just by being with you.

He chose me

Me and my ex-boyfriend for 7 yrs (my husband now) has been through a lot .

The biggest problem by far is when we were apart because he had to go abroad to work.

It took us two years before he met a woman who he was lonely enough to cheat me with.

I don't blame him... I blame the woman. He was a lonely man and having someone to tempt him is just enough to succumb to temptation. Why do I blame the woman? Because I think she is low enough to get in a relationship with someone who SHE KNOWS very well is currently involved. She might reason out that she fell in love. But for me, falling in and out of love is a CHOICE. She made a choice of going after an involved man. By choosing that, she also made a choice of hurting other people. We call that relationship wrecker. I don't really know what motivated her. Maybe she came from a very bad break-up with another man. Maybe she was dumped in favor of other woman that's why she is taking a revenge on other women. Maybe she thought dumping me would be the next move of my then boyfriend. Maybe this time, she would be the one to be chosen. Maybe she thinks she is better than me... But she doesn't know me. She doesn't know our history. And she definitely is not better than me!