Robert says…

I didn’t notice Lani (though she’s a front liner) when I entered her office on February 1997.  The main reason I was there was to transact business related to my account.  I never expected I would see and meet a girl that would play an important role in my life. 

She was walking to and fro the office that’s why she caught my attention.  I think cupid struck me the moment I saw her.  I didn’t waste any time so I inquired her name from one of the personnels I knew there and called her the following working day.  I invited her over for dinner on February 14, 1997 but she suggested we go out a day before Valentine’s Day.  I was ecstatic when she agreed to have dinner with me.  

I took her to Aristocrat Restaurant and later on to Music Box in Quezon City.  I had a great time with her.  After that date, I persistently and consistently called her and invited her out.  And finally, she said yes.

In a matter of just a few months, I realized that she’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.  I proposed to her several times but she turned it down.  She’s too young pa daw and not yet ready to get married.  Kainis… I was thinking of leaving her na nga and look for someone else -- nahh...just kidding <

After more than two years of relationship with Lani, she finally accepted my proposal of marriage and arranged instantly our “pamamanhikan” on August 1999.

Lani says…

I was working in a financing company in Makati when I first caught a glimpse of Robert settling his obligation at the office on February 7, 1997.  I didn’t find him interesting then and I considered him as just an ordinary person I see and meet everyday.  I was so busy with my work that I didn’t pay attention to him even though I overheard him asking for my name from one of my officemates.  He left and that was it.  The thought of seeing him again never entered my mind.  A couple of days later, I received a call from him inviting me for a dinner on February 14, 1997.  Can you believe it? A date on Valentine’s Day?  Yuck!  Well, I’m not a romantic kind of person and I find it so corny and baduy to go out on that day.  Nevertheless, I agreed to have dinner with him only a day earlier of his suggested date. 

Our first date turned out fine.  We had dinner at Aristocrat Restaurant and a little later, he took me to Music Box for some entertainment.  After a while, he drove me home.  Since then, he never stopped calling and bugging me.  So I decided to give Robert a chance. 

On our fourth month, he proposed to me (he was that fast, believe me!).  It was so unexpected and I was really dumbfounded.  Of course, I declined his proposal because I hardly know him and I felt I’m not yet ready to settle down.  But I took the ring anyway (hehehe). 

Our relationship went on smoothly for more than two years.  And every year, he would propose marriage to me which I always decline.  So when I felt I was ready for a life together with Robert, I finally said yes.  We got engaged August 1999.

We handled personally all the plans and preparations for the wedding, with the assistance of our families and some friends.