OFWS event: A Wedding

Nigeria will always be a part (greater) of  OFWS here.
For those who only hear of Nigeria via selective newscast which is always in bad light, OFWS who had stayed here since the early 70's, Nigeria actually played a deep role in their lives.  
Especially for Architect Sim and Ampy Ronquillo.

One Saturday evening after the anticipated mass at The Nunciature, Abuja, two little girls began tagging some people and shyly gave envelopes.

Opened it said:

                 ‘We, Alessandra and Jamie invite you to witness our family’s beautiful beginnings

                        By celebrating the love of our parents….’

Parents being Katherine Lou and Jaime Bugayong Jr.

Beautiful.  It is a joyous proclamation by the people who matter most – the offspring.

The card itself is personal.  Simple.  Creative.

Old timers in Nigeria, Amparo Ronquillo and husband Architect Simplicio were among the very first OFWS to land in Nigeria – 1973. And Katherine Lou, the youngest was born in Osogbo, Oyo State, Nigeria on 21^st of August, 1981 and was baptized at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Osogbo, Oyo State, Nigeria on the 29^th of August 1981.

Decades later, Katz an OFW herself is getting a church wedding in the chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature in Abuja, Nigeria come July 7, 2012. Katz  got married to Jaime Eusebio Bugayong, Jr (the son of Jaime and Delia Bugayong, born on the 23^rd of December, 1980) in Manila.

Coming from very devout catholic families, being married in a civil ceremony in the Philippines has not been enough for Katz and Jaime, Jr. Blessed with two wonderful girls, they still long to have a church wedding – really, really married in the eyes of God.

July 7, 2012 at 2:00pm. Architect Sim Ronquillo who has since retired and staying in the Philippines come all the way to Abuja, Nigeria to walk his youngest daughter down the aisle.  And so did Irene, the eldest who works in the United States. She has since returned to the US. Only brother Jay was not able to attend same with JR’s family. Nigeria is so far away from the Philippines and the United States.

A very simple wedding ceremony attended by family members and friends. The marriage was blessed by Monsignor John John Kallarackal  – a very joyous occasion indeed!

The reception was held at Nkoyo Restaurant, a quaint little restaurant at the top floor situated at  Bathurst Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

The Wedding Invitation

Invitation from Alessa and Jamie for their parents wedding

The Bride: Katherine Lou Ronquillo

Parents of the bride: Architect Sim and Ampy Ronquillo

Flower girls and ring bearer and 'aras' (arrhae) bearer: Alessa and Jamie Bugayong and Zoe and Tara Housemann

Primary Sponsors: Ninang Maris and  
Togolese Ninang Gladys Tchinou

Secondary Sponsors

Offerings and the Altar

...the Groom - Jaime Bugayong, Jr.

...Architect Sim Ronquillo (closely followed by wife Ampy) walking their youngest daughter Katz down the aisle

... on to JR...

...and the rites began...

Kith and kins: John Hernandez, Renz Mercado & Gel Llames, Sherwin and Donna Cayabyab, Khaye Dador, Cecile Hernandez, Nino Herrera

Wedding witnesses ...

First reading rendered by Maricel M. Housemann and Second Reading by Irene M. Ronquillo

Offerings: Sherwin, Donna, Cecile and Rex

Prayers of the faithfuls by John Hernandez

VOWS: to love and to hold...

...with this ring I thee wed...

...the arrhae (aras) for prosperity

...the veil and the cord...

Blessings

Msgr. John administering communion to the newly-weds

...and to the faithful...

...a nostalgic-sweet emotions for the parents...

the CONTRACT....

the Guarantors...

...and more Guarantors...

...the recepients of the Holy Sacrament of  Matrimony

...Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Bugayong, Jr. with daughters Alessandra and Jamie

the Family: Ampy, Jaime & Katz, Sim and daughter Irene, Alessa and Jamie

JR and Katz with family and friends

...and with sponsors

Family Mercado

Sheda, Sherwin and Donna and Ninang Gladys Tchinou

Ambassador designate Alex Lamadrid, Katz and JR and Ambassador Nestor Padalhin

Sr. Aurea and Amb-designate Lamadrid; Otie, Khaye, Benjie, John and Angie; Nino Herrera, Ness and Efren Lim; and with Lito

...and with Marisa Mercado

Mercado Family: Bernie, Doods, Maebs, Maris and Maricel

Janet and Axel: next?

...at the Nkoyo Restaurant: a toast

Guests: Bernie and Maris with Ninang Gladys; Khaye, Sherwin, Donna, Lito and Angie; Sr. MaryGrace, Amb-designate Lamadrid, Amb. Padalhin; Msgr. John, Fr. Andrew

Sr. Aurea, Lolit and Sheen; Ambassadors Lamadrid and Padalhin; Rami and guests; Otie, Benjie, John and Rex

...no greater laughter than that with very good friends...

...was there any other way to seal a wonderful event than a solo rendition for Mom and Dad? 

….after all, a little song is as sweet to hear as an orchestra.