Thursday, July 26, 2007 Magsaysay: Phenomenal 7 By Jo Magsaysay Whatever
TRIPLE 7 Double 5 may be phenomenal to a numerologist while an emerald to a gemologist may be mystical but to Javier and Carmen (Reynes) Fortunato, they mean nothing more than a happy coincidence.
The 55th anniversary of their wedding coincided with 07-07-07 and they just happen to have "7" children, outstanding in their chosen professions and "7" grandchildren to enjoy.
I’ve known Carmen from way back when we were classmates in fourth year high school and although we have no chummy-chummy relationship, we have managed to keep in touch now and then to sustain our friendship. Javy and Mameng are simple, unpretentious people, God-fearing and God-loving.
I believe the good Lord has blessed them 7 times 7 and loves them 70 times 7 more. Congratulations! Green potted sampaguita plants were given away as keep sakes, “their beauty a symbol of our friendship, evergreen and alive.”
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They were in the same nursery school but never met each other. But as destiny would have it, Joseph Rudolph, son of Philip G. Lo and Tina C. Lo and Elaine Marie, daughter of Edward S. Go and Marilyn S. Go met each other in high school.
He studied in the Sacred Heart School for Boys while she studied at the Sacred Heart School for Girls. Boy meets girl in school activity “Boy-Girl Encounter,” not love at first sight but almost: in a couple of months, they were sweethearts.
It’s still the same old story of true love going through an obstacle course. JLo, good-looking and smart graduated with honors collecting awards and citations for excellence but Elaine’s father didn’t like him. All doting fathers believe no boy is good enough for his darling daughter. Besides, they were still in high school.
‘Break it up’. Heartbroken, they separated. JLo to pursue a BA in Management Economics in Ateneo de Manila U with top honors while Elaine languishing in Cebu without the love of her life, graduated cum laude in BS Information Technology in USC then joined the family shipping lines. Joseph sent his applications for a job to nine multinational companies in Manila, had a stint in commercial modeling, pined for his beloved in Cebu, came home to mind his parent’s business in furniture export only to face a dilemma: all nine multinational companies in Manila had accepted his job application and wanted him, pronto, back in Manila.
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Love conquers all! Joseph and Elaine exchanged marriage vows at the Metropolitan Cathedral, had a reception at the splendid Plenary Hall of the CICC, an imperial lauriat dinner catered by the Grand Convention Center, entertained by comedienne Giselle Sanchez, one of the best in the business, whose risqué asides had the guests clamoring for more.
What a joy to watch the young newlyweds dancing and kissing, what a pleasure to see Philip and the exquisite Tina, Edward and the charming Marilyn, exchanging proud and happy smiles. The beautiful bride Elaine couldn’t have said it better: “777 is a lucky day, not only for superstitious people but for us surmounting the odds that were against us…but if you really know what you want in life and you want it more than anything else, there are always ways to get to where you want to be and achieve them.”
