Art of Love

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

John Edward Dave Yñiguez

March 8, 1980. Saturday. At exactly 10:08 PM, John Edward Dave Yñiguez was born. Don Eduardo Yñiguez, his father, was then thirty-five years old and making a name in the business world. Doña Victoria Vega-Yñiguez, his mother, was then twenty-five years old.

 Their parents met in July 1974 when Miss Universe was held in Filipinas. His mother was then Miss Mexico. She didn't win but she won the heart of a wealthy Filipino bachelor, Eduardo Yñiguez, who was one of the judges.   In December 1975, they got married. His mother had two miscarriages before he was born.

John, Edward, Dave, as he was being called, was considered a lucky charm for his father. His birth paved the way for his father to establish a shopping mall called Victoria Mall and the biggest indoor multi-purpose arena called Victoria Coliseum.  

The Yñiguez Clan was a rich Filipino family of Spanish descent. His father was the eldest and only son among a brood of five children. His grandfather, David Yñiguez, was ecstatic upon his birth. His grandmother, Amalia Yñiguez as well as his aunts, Consuelo, Rosario, Mercedes and Imelda was joyful that finally another Yñiguez man was born.

His mother's family was likewise delighted on his birth. Juan, his grandfather and Veronica, his grandmother long awaited a grandchild from his mother. Luis, Pedro, Minerva, and Carmen, his mother's older siblings were all pleased as well that their younger sister finally had a baby.

He was named after his father and two grandfathers. He was fondly called as John or Edward or Dave.

He studied elementary in Filipinas. He continued on his studies in Mexico until he finished his degree in Urban Planning in Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México by the age of twenty-one. Within such period, he only went home to Filipinas for school breaks. His parents allowed him to live a normal life in Mexico because it was not possible in Filipinas. His father had already established a chain of shopping malls and condominiums all over Filipinas.

Afterwards, he took his MBA and DBA consecutively in Harvard Business School. He finished his MBA by the age of 23 and finished his DBA in Marketing by the age of 26.

Thereafter, he went back to Mexico for a consultative job in a financial investment corporation. He met Gemma Cordova, a Mexican actress. His father didn't approve of the match. Nevertheless, he continued on his relationship with Gemma. They even lived together.

In January 1, 2009, he was about to propose marriage to Gemma but he caught her cheating on him. He was to surprise her telling her that he was to spend the day with his relatives and was just to come home the next day. He went home for dinner on January 1, 2009 only to catch her having sex with a Mexican actor she was working with at the moment. They broke up. He moved back to his Uncle Luis' house and continued with his work.  

March 1, 2009. John Edward Dave Yñiguez finally came home for good.

Don Eduardo, who was diagnosed of a late stage of esophageal cancer, was already very sick. He rushed home as soon as he found out.

At the hospital bed of his father...

"Papa, I'm back," he said.

His father said, "You need now to stay for good and take over the business empire that I have established for you, son. It is about time to face your destiny."  

He accepted it, "Yes, Papa. I'm back for good and I'll take care of everything. You have nothing more to worry about."

His father told him, "I think I won't be able to see anymore of my grandchildren with you. In a few more days, you'll be twenty-nine. We heard about your break-up with Gemma. She is not the right woman for you. You deserve someone like you mother, son. Gemma isn't just that woman. Well, you seem unaffected with the breakup."