MANILA, Philippines - Rodelio “Deo” Roberto and Ma. Rosebelle “Belle” Bondoc put a lot of faith in destiny. But if fate played a role in getting them together, it took seven years before fate finally united them.

Their lives initially intersected during their elementary days at St. Mary’s Academy in Meycauayan, Bulacan, where they both reside. Deo and Belle were schoolmates until high school. Deo was a classmate of Belle’s younger sister, Rowena.

Belle ignored Deo then because “he was a nerd na payatot.” A teacher’s pet who helped check the examination papers of students and carried the books of his mentors, Deo was a “masunuring estudyante na walang social life,” recalls Belle.

After high school, Belle took up AB Mass Communication in Centro Escolar University, while Deo finished BS Computer Science in San Sebastian College.

Shared passions

Their paths crossed again in 2000 when they were already working at the Philippine Daily Inquirer—Belle as an editorial assistant in the Lifestyle section, and Deo as a staff of Inquirer News Service.

“Ngiti-ngiti lang kasi nga utol ng classmate ko dati,” Deo recalls.

Realizing that they shared a passion for dining out, watching movies and the band Side A, Deo mustered the courage to invite Belle to a Side A concert at Suburbia in Malate, Manila.

From that moment on, they were inseparable. “Simpleng pasaway at mahaba ang pasensiya sa akin” is how Deo describes Belle. What attracted Belle in turn is “Deo’s kabaitan and pagiging masunurin. Hindi nagagalit. Kahit inis na siya, matatawa ka pa din.”

More importantly, they belong to close-knit families who are devout Catholics. Belle is the eldest in a brood of three girls; Deo has a younger brother.

Deo broached the idea of marriage to Belle last year. While strolling along San Miguel by the Bay in Mall of Asia where they celebrated their sixth anniversary in February 2007, Deo popped the question.

“It started as a candid question na out of nowhere—‘Pakasal na kaya tayo,’” recalls Deo.

Hearing such magic words didn’t come as a surprise to Belle. “On the day he proposed, Deo was extra-romantic, so I was feeling na eto na yon.”

After a few weeks, Deo had an engagement diamond ring made for Belle. Its stone, Deo says, is an heirloom from his grandmother.

Red-letter day

Deo and Belle were married more than a year later on June 7, 2008, at Basilica de San Sebastian in Manila.

The groom, son of Rodolfo Roberto and Aurelia Rodriguez, looked dashing in a cream suit.

Belle, who walked down the aisle with her parents, Roberto Bondoc and Rosita Victorio, was radiant in a Leonard Co gown.

Best man was Rodolfo Roberto II; maid of honor, Racquel Bondoc; and matron of honor, Joan Lenon-Tugo.

The groomsmen were Michael Angelo Pedro and Michael Paul Loyola. The bridesmaids were Ma. Rowena Bondoc and Liezl Papa. Junior bridesmaids were Arceli Marie Mabalay and Caitlin Gene Rodriguez.

Secondary sponsors included Alvin Rey Bondoc and Samantha Dominique Quiambao (candle); Floren Wong and Farrah Faye Alilam (veil); Jayson Mazon and Karen Ann Acosta (cord).

The flower girls were Althea Dominique Victorio and Alliyah Gatmaitan; ring bearer, Tristan Jhan Rodriguez; Bible bearer, Russell Fernando.

Principal sponsors were Leticia Jimenez Magsanoc, Gabriel Formoso Jr., Reynaldo Bondoc, Rosalita Wong, Dr. Renato Bondoc, Dr. Nenuca Ingrid Buhay, Roman Rodriguez, Ana Bondoc, Dave Wong, Racquel Golla, Antonio Crisostomo, Elena Villanueva-Romero, Catalino Alano Jr. and Corazon Bondoc-Gamboa.

Reception was held at the church’s St. Ezekiel Moreno Hall. Catering was done by VS & F while the snacks were provided by French Baker. The wedding cake was created by Mabini Bakeshop.

The couple’s wedding coordinators were Baby Joson and Bride’s Choice while Nice Print Photography did the photo and video coverage. Their florist was Chat Alejandro of Tamayo’s.

The newlyweds first honeymooned in Subic. This week, they are going to Bohol as Deo’s wedding gift to Belle. Belle, on the other hand, plans to buy Deo an Adidas A1 shoes with microchip. Their Inquirer family, endless good-natured ribbing aside, wish Belle and Deo all the best on their new life as husband and wife.