Chapter 3
"You went from pre-school up to high school in Claveles High. For college, you earned a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management in CIC. Then, you took Culinary Arts for two years. After that, you trained in Singapore for a year. Pagbalik mo rito sa Pilipinas, nagtayo ka na ng sarili mong restaurant—the HH diner. HH stands for 'Heavenly Hope'. Because 'Ciela' means 'heavenly. And your second name 'Nadeleine' means 'ray of hope'."
I clapped my hands at Eli's amazing memory. Namangha talaga ako. Tandang-tanda niya pala ang mga detalyeng iyon kahit isang beses ko lang nakuwento. "You got it all correct, babe!"
Pumalakpak din si Eli at ang laki ng mga ngisi. "Thanks, babe! High five!"
Nag-high five nga kami. Then, we turned to our facilitator. "Okay, you got the perfect score."
Nag-high five ulit kami ni Eli.
"Okay, Miss Ciela, it's your turn."
Pumikit ako at nag-focus. Inipon ko mula sa memory ko ang mga tamang impormasyon.
Nasa isang activity kasi kami ngayon sa pre-marriage seminar na pinuntahan namin ni Eli.
How well do you know your future spouse? ang nilalaro namin. Dapat masagot ng mga couple ang mga importanteng bagay tungkol sa mapapangasawa. Ang pinakamaraming alam at tamang sagot, malaki ang makukuhang score.
Round one was about each other's educational and career background.
"Inhale-exhale, babe. You can do this!" Eli energized me.
Hindi naman kami competitive na dalawa. Pero para kaming mga bata na na-excite sa laro. Gusto naming mapanalunan 'yung cash prize. Ipambibili namin ng dog food at milk ni Cloudy.
Dumilat ako at tumingin sa facilitator. "Elizardo Leor Remoroza De Haro went to Claveles High from pre-school to high school. For college, he went to Ateneo de Manila and took a BSBA Major in Financial Management. That's his first degree."
Huminto ako sandali para alalahanin pa ang iba. "Ahm, he took a second course. Ah! A bachelor's degree in Human Resource naman. Right?"
Tango nang tango si Eli. "Yup! Double-degree earner ako. Hindi ako matalino pero..."
"Matiyaga po siyang tao," dugtong ko sa kung paano niya sinabi sa 'kin 'yon.
Napangiti sa 'min ang matandang babaeng facilitator.
"So, after that, kumuha na rin ng master's degree si Eli," I continued. "He worked first as the Assistant Financial Manager at De Haro Food and Beverages while studying his second degree. Once he finished his MBA naman, he was promoted as the Financial Manager. Two to three years later, he became the Chief Financial Officer for almost two years. Just last year naman po, the De Haro went through rebranding and company expansion. Hiwalay na ang De Haro Food and De Haro Beverages. Did I remember it right, Eli?
Tango pa rin nang tango si Eli habang nakangiti at pinapanood ako sa pagsagot.
"Eli is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President of De Haro Beverages," I ended my answer, proudly.
Eli clapped his hands. "Perfect score! High-five!"
Nagtama ulit ang mga palad namin sa ere. Nakakatuwa naman. I got all his info correct! Hindi halatang ilang months pa lang kaming magka-relasyon.
"Good job for round one, couples! Lahat kayo ay alam ang educational background ng partner niyo. Mahalaga iyan para alam niyo kung saan sila expert. Kapag alam niyo kung saan sila expert, alam niyo rin kung saan sila hindi expert at doon kayo makakalusot kapag nag-aaway kayo," sabi ng speaker.
