Entourage
Our loved ones and those who love us... a lot!
Aida Dela Rosa
Manuel Dela Rosa
Parents of the Bride
From Bataan and Manila originally, to trekking from the northeast to get to the wedding, Christine's parents are no strangers to traveling in service of their three children. They commuted long hours and woke up well before sunrise--not just for their jobs, but to bring their kids to a better school system and demonstrate service and gratitude as core values. Whether it was academic head starts (if there was a club for it, the answer was yes), chances to do extracurriculars (they too supported festivals and showcases), or atypical treats (pasta on pizza!) from family friends, there was no opportunity (within reason) they would deny me if it meant it would help my future. This wedding is just the most recent example (of many) to ensure their youngest is cared for.
Lorenzo Nicolas
Carolina Nicolas
Parents of the Groom
From humble childhoods in Parañaque and Malabon, A-Jay's parents now call Hayward, California their home – along with many of their siblings and parents. Their sons were never without food, clothes, and love... or without computers with fast internet and the latest video game systems. It turned out that those last two technologies would contribute directly to their sons' future careers! Car rides to family trips, show choir rehearsals, and concerts were never without music and singing – another priceless gift they gave to their sons. Given their examples of unconditional love and support, A-Jay was destined to wed someone who could also love and support him unconditionally.
Michelle Dela Rosa
Matron of Honor
Fun fact: Christine had such stage fright delivering the maid of honor speech at her sister's wedding, that her Michelle ended up not putting Christine on the mic. On her special day, she put little sister's feelings first. She let Christine wear clothes right out of her closet for Christine's first high school dance. She chaperoned a field trip during winter vacation when Christine begged for help, only to discover Christine wasn't even going! She has skipped precious lunch break minutes to pick up calls, only to learn Christine wanted help placing an incorrectly remembered tune. There is no better champion to count on when you're nervous who can transform people's energy, chart a realistic course forward, and make magic happen.
Cyrill Nicolas
Best Man
A-Jay's only brother, his first friend, his first (and longest!) roommate, and his first Player 2. When they were very young, A-Jay handed Cyrill an unplugged NES controller and made him think he was playing along too. In the end, Cyrill got far better at playing video games, so joke's on A-Jay! The brothers played video games together through grade school, then helped each other get jobs and get paid to play, test, build, and release them at Konami and Storm8. They still play fantasy basketball together in the IBL, though they hate playing against each other because it means one team has to lose. Avid gamers, once colleagues, but forever brothers.
Shirley Der Dela Rosa
Emily Nicolas
Bridesmaids
​Shirley has been such a ringer in terms of informing decisions. Christine and her siblings tend to have the same type of knowledge, can utilize pop culture pulls from the same eras and genres, and generally would be redundant to each other on a trivia team. But the first time Christine considered a boba-making kit as a gift, when Christine joked about a popular book, or when there was an obscure restaurant question in SF, Shirley is the teammate Christine didn't know she needed. <3
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Over a decade ago, Emily, Cyrill, and A-Jay all moved out together in Foster City, then Fremont, and now in their own house in their hometown of Hayward. All three being introverts, they bonded over dinnertime TV and movies, YouTube and Twitch, and Star Wars marathons. A-Jay is forever grateful for her delicious cooking, her reliable companionship, and her and Cyrill's solid marriage.
Richard Dela Rosa
Timothy Sene
Groomsmen
With their combined wisdom, these two introduced Christine to volleyball, to hip hop, to car ProTips... to beyond their interests and into advice on financial security, transportation safety, and anything in need of fast decisioning. In high school, Christine once missed the late bus and did not have the wherewithal to figure out what to do (pre-smartphones). Another time she took the train downtown instead of uptown into Brooklyn with a dead cell phone. Both these blood and emotional brothers showed up like a cliched knight in shining armor. She didn't thank them then, like the mute teenager she was, but she is thankful for them in her life. She knows they think about her because even if they don't say it out loud, Christine has this feeling that these two are thinking about her and her safety.
Sammy Dela Rosa
Manolo Dela Rosa
Elise Sene
Bible, Coin, and Ring Bearers
These three are rule-observing and curious kids; they take their investigations seriously. They are top in their class in building crafts, deploying insect and sea creature knowledge at the ready, and practicing strategy games likes chess and drills in basketball, all with so much commitment that the training naturally feels like fun. One day, their stories will serve as the basis for a YA procedural. Christine can think of no better trio to entrust the artifacts most crucial to the ceremony.
Jaclyn Dela Rosa
Tessa Sene
Flower Girls
Jaclyn and Tessa are on the cusp of being mischievous experimenters. What they lack sometimes in full context, they make up in bravery. Checking where they hear atypical noises. Taking the stage to sing and dance just because they see others on it. Even leaping off high objects for the thrill of flying. Though the tiniest in the bunch, they also have some of the most fearless energy. This is the duo whose steps will start off the processional and spread their infectious joy.
Marcus Sene
Esther Sene
Gift Bearers and Ushers
As her first niblings, Esther and Marcus taught Christine a lot on the job as an auntie. They dared to challenge imagination boundaries, making up "dessert for breakfast" restaurant customs and setting up adventures with inanimate object friends like "Eggy." It was the first natural storytelling where Christine broke her rules on "how things should work." And work, it did. The stories they told about themselves and the world is a lesson Christine takes with her today: you can make up narratives different than ones you're the familiar with and it might be really fun.
Estela Jacobe
Guest of Honor
The matriarch of the Jacobe clan. Lola Estela helped raise A-Jay and Cyrill with Lolo Basilio when they were in grade school. A-Jay has fond memories of her walking him to elementary school in the mornings and waiting to pick him up in the afternoons. Most importantly, Lola taught her family the power of prayer and to give all glory to God for His blessings upon them. She led by example in the church, joining the Legion of Mary, reading scriptures during mass, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. A-Jay always looked forward to receiving communion from Lola, and he now looks forward to her presence at his and Christine's wedding.
Arthur and Zeny Quiroz
Primary Sponsor
Tito Arthur and Auntie Zeny are not just energy boosters (anyone need a pair for Mahjong players?), but they are emotional boosters during both fun and difficult times. Christine has consistently witnessed them show up in person for her parents and siblings regardless of the amount of time it took to support the family. Along the way, their own relationship serving as a model of humor, trust, and love. And now, Christine would love for them to bear witness to a life stage she is so happy they are a part of.
Ding and Mercy Eusebio
Primary Sponsor
Tito Ding and Tita Mercy have known A-Jay and Cyrill since they were both babies. One of A-Jay's earliest memories was staying with them in Southern California, wading in their pool with a life jacket, and getting really scared after he had waded into the deep end. Everything was fine, though A-Jay is still scared of swimming. Despite living on opposite sides of California, their families stayed in touch over the years through family visits, vacations, camping trips, weddings, and even randomly running into each other at the mall! A-Jay is proud that he can always count on them, and that they are still present in his life.
Mary Ann Marrero
Symbolic Sponsor
Ate Mary Ann has been an organizer, a party starter, and a competitive game player since Christine can remember gathering with her cousins. But it's not just roles in family events that make her such a standout in memories. No, it's also Ate Mary Ann's ability to pave new paths for herself--traveling abroad, moving away from the northeast, rallying the family to think differently simply by talking--that has aided Christine, and hopefully now Christine and A-Jay, in their new era. What a blessing to have that kind of support in the past and know it will continue in the future.
Nela Jacobe
Symbolic Sponsor
Tita Nela has been a steadily consistent supporter for much of A-Jay's life, attending many of his choir concerts and graduations. To encourage A-Jay's pursuit in a tech career, she bought him his first HTML, CSS, and Objective-C books, years before he would end up leading teams of mobile and web engineers! She's also a skilled cook – A-Jay always looks forward to her BBQ when he comes to visit her, Lola Estela, and Mom and Dad in Hayward. A-Jay is grateful to have her continued support as his aunt and now as a blessed sponsor.
Mark and Mimi
Caguiat
Symbolic Sponsor
Mark is one of A-Jay's oldest and best friends. A-Jay's earliest childhood memories involve hanging out with him at birthday parties and on camping trips. They attended school together for the first time in middle school, where Mark learned A-Jay's real first name and rarely ever called him A-Jay again, lol. Mark taught A-Jay how to drive stick shift, crushed him at Starcraft, helped him improve at playing the guitar, and even started a cover band with him. With Mimi, Mark found a fun-loving equal who works hard and plays hard. Together, they've raised a family of three kids who all work hard across academics, athletics, and dance. A-Jay was honored to read one of the scripture passages at their wedding, and is now honored to have them as symbolic sponsors for his and Christine's wedding.
Katheryn and Teng
Feliciano
Symbolic Sponsor
A-Jay grew up thinking Kathy and her brothers were his cousins, and is still getting used to the idea that she is actually his Tita! As A-Jay vaguely remembers it, Kathy and her brothers babysat him as a child, and he did not make it easy for them at all, lol. Through the years, their families stayed in touch, hosting each other in Quezon City and in Hayward. When A-Jay asked his parents who might serve as wedding sponsors for him and Christine, Kathy and Teng were among the first suggestions to guide them in being good followers of Christ. Upon asking them, Kathy told A-Jay that they give a talk at the Pre-Cana Seminars for the church they were married in! It seemed like God's plan that these two would be sponsors, and that A-Jay and Christine's marriage would be able to rely on their expert guidance.
