By Eunhice Corpuz

Matrimony is bestowed upon those who choose to collide their lives as one. For years, Far Eastern University (FEU) has partaken in the tradition to give back to the community through TamVows. Along with the exchange of vows and charming memories to cherish, the FEU Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) once again showed their passion for this year’s event. Now, in its 10th year, six couples united as one at the Pavilion 1, last February 26. 

Creation of ‘Wonderland’ in FEU 

When preparing for a sacred ritual-like marriage, tedious planning is needed to execute it smoothly. For many, this ceremony is the most memorable moment to share with someone you want to spend your life with.

_{In photo: The official theme of the 10th Tamvows ‘Where Love Becomes a Wonderland’ at Pavillion 1, last February 26.} 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, ITHM Faculty and adviser of Meeting Incentive, Conference, and Events Management (MICE) class Jhaycee Tulalian disclosed how challenging the preparation was and that the ceremony itself is more than just an event.

“Actually, ang pag-prepare ng event na ’to is not madali. It’s because ang event ay binigay [ng] second week of January, and imagine that this is kasal. [At] ‘pag sinabing kasal, hindi naman tayo basta-basta nagkakasal lang (Actually, the preparation of this event was not easy. It’s because the event was given by the second week of January, and imagine that is matrimony. And when we say ‘wedding,’ we’re not just casually getting married),” Tulalian shared. 

He mentioned that the legal process of registering the six lovely couples wedding was a difficult challenge but was graciously handled by the students who organized the event.

“We need to register the kasal… [like] marriage license [and] certificate. Ayun ‘yung nagpa-challenge sa amin. And again, I am very thankful to have this wonderful team,” the faculty member said. 

This year’s celebration featured changes that allowed for the exploration of the diverse talents of the ITHM Tamaraws, especially with more students coming in to join the team of the TamVows event. 

Faculty and adviser of the catering class Chef Anna Mae Aurelio regarded that aside from the MICE class and her class, students from the Food and Beverages (F&B) and Baking classes also participated. 

“Before kasi, it’s handled by MICE class and catering class. But for this year, medyo maraming classes [ang] involved. It’s a collaboration of MICE class, two catering classes, F&B, and baking class as well,” Aurelio said.  

This addition paved the way to lighten the workloads for the working committee for the 10th TamVows. 

“So, medyo naka-assign na ‘yung [gawain], kaya medyo mas lighter ‘yung load. Kasi collaboration [na] siya of four or five classes,” the catering class adviser added.

Along with increasing the number of students involved, the ceremony’s venue was also relocated. Traditionally, it is held at the FEU Plaza in front of the University Chapel, but this year, the production team anticipated the weather on the day of the event. 

According to the Overall Head of CUPID Productions and third-year BS Tourism Management (Travel and Tours Track) Shannah Justine Borja, they visualized wanting to deliver a wonderful moment at the FEU Plaza, but had to make adjustments due to the forecasted weather. 

“We originally planned to celebrate the couples’ wonderful moment at the FEU Plaza, where it is celebrated yearly. However, due to the released weather update by the GMA News in the morning of the 26th, hindi na kami nag-take ng risk na i-push sa Plaza ‘yung wedding,” she explained. 

She mentioned that if they pressed forward on following the traditional venue, everyone involved in the celebration would have found it difficult to clear the set-up. 

“We thought that if we pushed it through, and biglang bumuhos ang ulan, it would be hard for the committees na ligpitin yung mga gamit na mababasa. It would be hard to keep the event set up out of the rain,” Borja added.

Despite these setbacks, the whole committee still created a magical experience and succeeded in giving the six lovely couples a wonderful celebration of love, with a theme of ‘When Love Becomes a Wonderland.’ 

“We envisioned a magical-themed wedding that would make couples and their guests feel how wonderful it is to celebrate the love that they share,” the overall head of CUPID Productions said. 

Further, she emphasized the importance of taking action and mentioned that they overcame hardships by trusting each and every committee to do their part. 

“They were very hands-on whenever there’s a problem. Huge thanks to the committees for the trust, help, and initiative they gave that made us overcome the challenges,” Borja expressed. 

Where love finds its home 

Love stories come in different faces and phases. Whether it started from an online love story, love at first sight, or a near decade-long relationship. All of these forms show how love can come unexpectedly into your life. 

Out of the six couples, three of them shared how they found and fostered their love to create a greenhouse of love and forever. 

Mr. Karl Medina and Mrs. Glenda Pedida-Medina started their story by chatting online through Facebook (FB) Dating. As cliche as it seems, it all begins with the intention of talking to someone and a bold movement of sending that “hi.”

“Nagkakilala po kami sa FB Dating. At that time, kasi ‘yun, gusto ko ng makakausap, and then nagre-reply naman siya, hanggang sa nagkakabato kami ng message (We met at FB Dating. Back then, I wanted to talk to someone, and then she replies until we exchange messages),” Mr. Medina admitted about making the first move. 

Mrs. Medina shared that it was awkward at first regarding the courtship since they met online. 

“Noong una, awkward siyempre kasi hindi ko pa siya kilala. At nag-chat nga siya, at sa ayun na nanligaw, okay naman, smooth naman. Then, nakapagpalagayan kami ng loob, nagkita na kami (At first, it was awkward since I didn’t know him yet. And then we chatted, and then he started courting me; it was okay and smooth. After that, we gained mutual trust and saw each other),” Mrs. Medina remarked. 

Mr. Medina began working at the campus last January as a maintenance worker, and now that they are officially married, they exchanged their promises to each other. 

“Hindi kita araw-araw mahal pero respetado ka sa akin araw-araw,” Mrs. Medina vowed. 

_{In photo: Mrs. Pedida-Medina, one of the six lovely brides gracing her moment walking down the aisle of a lifetime.}

While for Mr. Medina, he expressed that he will take care of her and their family every day. 

“Alam mo naman ‘yan, ang gusto ko lagi sa araw-araw ay asikasong-asikaso ko kayo,” Mr. Medina responded. 

Moving on to the next couple, they met at the University since both of them are security guards. It all happened when Mr. Efren Sito gave flowers to Mrs. Claudene Estelles-Sito on Valentine's Day last year.

“Nagsimula ‘yun nung Valentine’s. Last year po, nagbigay siya ng flowers, ganiyan. Hanggang sa nagyaya na mag-date (It started on Valentine’s Day last year. He gave me flowers ‘til he asked me out to date),” Mrs. Sito remembered.  

_{In photo: Mrs. Estelles-Sito happily sliced and shared their wedding cake during the TamVows event.} 

When asked about the significance of marriage in their relationship, Mr. Sito deemed that marriage is a commitment to the family you will build together. 

“Mahalagang-mahalaga kasi, parang pananagutan mo bilang pamilya, para bumuo ng pamilya, [at] ‘yun ang sagrado ng kasal (It’s important since it’s like your responsibility as a family, to build a family, and that’s the sacredness of marriage),” Mr. Sito said.

Lastly, throughout the eight years of being together, the Laurentino couple demonstrated a shared, unwavering goal of marrying and building a life together. 

Mrs. Mary Joy Rios-Laurentino revealed that she manifested for a good guy to be her husband and let Mr. Moises Laurentino be her endgame. 

“Pinagdasal ko rin po na sana mabait ‘yung mapapangasawa ko. Hiniling ko na lang po talaga na siya na lang po ‘yung mapapangasawa ko (I prayed that my future husband would be kind. I just really wished that he would be the one I married),” Mrs. Laurentino confessed. 

_{In photo: Mr. & Mrs. Laurentino lovingly gracefully swayed for their ‘first dance’ as lawful husband and wife.} 

Mrs. Laurentino is a decade-long maintenance employee of the University and is continuing to serve the campus. 

When her lawful husband was asked for his promise to Mrs. Laurentino. He professed that whatever happens, they’ll never separate. 

“Kahit mag-away kami, walang iwanan,” he swore proudly. 

For a decade, the TamVow initiative has bridged a moment of forever for employees of the University. With legal vows, their hearts entwined as one, the couples enter a haven of shared joy and tender tears—where love blooms eternally.

Indeed, love defies all uncertainties and graciously endures a lifetime. TamVows is a bridge for the FEU employees to experience a forever that they will surely cherish for a lifetime. It became the seed of life where the uniting hearts of two beat as one. Ending with grace and passion, it will forever bear the fruit of romance, an unbreakable spell cast within the wonderland of love. 

(Photos by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)