True love’s promise

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Leonida Marie ‘Leng’ Palacios and Gene Franco Galicia

Leonida Marie ‘Leng’ Palacios first met Gene Franco Galicia at the Arellano University School of Law campus in 2005.

Seven years later, Leng and Franco tied the knot in civil rites at Royal View Seafood Restaurant, Mall of Asia in Pasay City last January 19.

The principal sponsors at the wedding included Sen. Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos; the groom’s cousin, lawyer Michael G. Aguinaldo of Malacañang’s Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs; lawyer Ireneo Galicia, brother of the grooms father, Arturo M. Galicia Jr.; and the couple’s close friend, Lt. Col. Marco Antonio Gines, Philippine Coastguard Commander.

The other principal sponsors in the ceremony, which was officiated by Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, were Labor Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte; mother of the couple’s close friend, Lorna Gotuaco; and the grooms aunt, Jean Galicia-Lim.

The groom’s brothers—Joel, Bougette Richard and Michael—were the best men.

As Christina Perri sang “A Thousand Years,” the yellow-clad Leng, 32, came face-to-face with her groom, who was in a tuxedo with a gold bow tie.

Their mothers Remedios P. Palacios and Georgette Galicia held back tears as they witnessed their children declaring their undying love for each other.

Photo opportunity with the family. Franco and Leng pose for posterity with members of the Galicia family.

“Leng, I am here to express my love and commitment …I am now committing myself to be your pillar of strength, your enduring friend, your devoted supporter and your passionate admirer. Leng, I loved you the moment I laid eyes on you. And I will love you until my dying days. I love you so much,” said Franco in his vows.

“I was only asking for a simple man, but God gave me more than what I was asking for. I sometimes wonder if I had done something good for Him to bless me with a wonderful partner in life. I still don’t know the answer but I am glad that you are the one He gave me. You never fail to amaze me with your simple actions. And I would like to give credit to your parents for raising a great son,” replied Leng.

The Supreme Court magistrate then asked them to “reenact” their first kiss.

It was in October 2012 that Franco asked the lovely Leng to marry him.

Franco remembered that Leng was teary-eyed when he asked her: Will you spend your forever with me? Leng said yes despite his warning in jest that marriage is not a guarantee of forever.

Franco immediately went home to Zamboanga del Norte to tell his parents that he was marrying the girl of his dreams.

Leng was born in Manila on August 4, 1980. She is the youngest daughter of MST news editor Joel Palacios and his wife Remedios.

Sponsors table. Franco and Leng shares a momentous moment with Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo (second from right), who officiated the wedding ceremony, and the principal sponsors.

Leng recalls they first met at the school’s Guidance Office. She said she used to hang-out with her friends, who are members of PEERS, one of the school’s organizations that hold office at the Guidance Office.

“One day I was introduced to Franco by a common friend,” she said. “Hindi ko alam, first day pa lang, crush na niya ako,” said Leng with a giggle.

But when Franco started showing more attention to her, she found herself slowly falling for him.

“Ako wala lang although I already find him cute and handsome. I was then wondering why he was acting that way. He would offer me drinks. He even volunteered me his jacket when I needed one. These and other simple ways have endeared him to me. So I told myself, Ok to ah.” Leng said she did not have a boyfriend at that time.

But nothing blossomed out of those brief moments of togetherness until they met again during the second semester. That was November in 2005. As usual, they just exchanged ‘hi’s’ and ‘hello’s.’ “We didnt’ talk,” says Leng.

It was during the school intramurals in December when they had the occasion to talk and to know each other well.

Leng says she was always with her friends from the school’s Student Council who organized the intramurals.

“We talked about our passion in life, the books I read since I love reading books, and about anything else until we were drawn closer. He invited me to a dinner date on December 21, 2005. We dined out and returned for the Christmas party of the Student Council,” relates Leng.

During the Christmas break, Leng and Franco remained in touch through text messages. Sometimes, they would meet and he would bring her home to Bacoor, Cavite where she lives.

Leng happily recalls that since December 26 last year, Franco would visit her at her house around 9 or 10 a.m. and stay until wee hours the next day. She would bring lots of food that can feed the entire barangay. Franco would bring her favorite Curacha, a crab delicacy from Zamboanga. Franco was born in Davao del Norte, but was raised by his parents in Zamboanga del Norte.

Asked what he likes about Leng, Franco says she’s “extremely vibrant contrary to his being quiet.” He says no dull moment with Leng.

“She’s also very friendly and carefree, aside from being pretty,” Franco said when asked to described what she liked about the fair-skinned Leng, who holds a Mass Communication degree from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

Leng described Franco as somebody you would want to be around you. “He’s always there for me. He’s the type of guy you would want to be always beside you because he’ll treat you like a baby. Binebeybi niya ako,” said Leng.

She said that the more she gets to know her husband, the more she loves him.

True to their marriage vows, Leng and Franco promised to keep the flame of their love burning forever. They call each other Baby Love.

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True love’s promise

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