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Wedding under the sea
Source: Inquirer
Author: Jello Ochoa, M.D.
Date: 2000-03-17
 
EVEN before we left Manila aboard Thai Airways on Feb. 12, Candy and I could still not believe that we had won the Trang Underwater Marriage Contest, earning the privilege to represent the Philippines and to meet 30 other couples from around the globe in the unique event.



In Bangkok, at the Grand China Princess Hotel, Candy and I were quite impressed at the diverse countries that were represented in the underwater wedding. There were couples from Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, the UK, Australia, Cambodia, Brunei, the US and more. It felt like a mini-United Nations gathering!



Arriving in Trang the next day, Candy and I were amazed to see hundreds of people, waiting for the "bridal entourage." About 50 Thai dancers in their bright colored Thai costumes were lined up along with 50 other drummers, also dressed in Thai garments to welcome all of us in a lively ceremony of music and dance.Thai girls, also in beautiful costumes, greeted us by placing orchid garlands around our neck, and throwing flower petals at us as we passed.



We were even more surprised to see the number of people surrounding the City Hall! The whole town of Trang was there for us! From the bus, we could see 33 elephants all lined up, ready to take their foreign passengers on a ride.



Each couple was given two flags. One flag representing their country and one flag of Thailand. We climbed the back of the elephant. That was the first time Candy and I rode an elephant so we were quite excited (we don't think the elephant was though!) So off all were, all 30 couples, parading down the streets of the idyllic and charming city of Trang. You would not believe how crowded the streets were with people! They were cheerily watching us go by and waving at us while throwing petals and confetti. Candy and I felt so special.



Movie magic



The fun but bumpy elephant ride took about 30 minutes to the Thumrin Thana Hotel. Later, to prepare us for the special cocktail and dinner, in which we would all be dressed in traditional Thai costumes, the women were made up in one room while the men in another. When we came out of the dressing rooms, Candy and I were delighted we appeared to have stepped out of the movie "Anna and the King." It was great and fun to wear the Thai costumes.



The ballroom was filled with about 400 guests and each couple was introduced to the audience. Candy and I stood up as they called out the Philippines and our names and we gave everyone a wai or traditional Thai bow with hands pressed together in front of our chests.



The next morning, Valentine's Day, we were again dressed in traditional Thai wedding outfits. Candy wore a red wrap-around top that looked like a tube, plus a long red-orange printed sarong type of skirt with a gold, ornamented belt. I, on the other hand, wore a similar wrap-around like a cummerbund and a similar sarong skirt but in a shade of green. A gold chain was also wrapped around my waist. I now know what it feels like to wear a skirt! It was not easy!



The women were then taken to the beach island of Kradan, where the underwater wedding would be held. The grooms would all follow later. Apparently, in Thailand, it is the bride who waits for the groom.



On our way to Kradan, the grooms' festive boat had to pass by another island where some 500 small, colorful, fishing boats were waiting. Together, all boats made their procession to Kradan where our brides were waiting. According to Candy, it was a marvelous sight to see our caravan approaching the island.



From the boat, we, the impatient grooms could see our 30 beautiful brides waiting on the shore for us. It was so exciting!



As the local people performed their celebration dance on the seashore, all the brides and the grooms were lined up and each couple had to meet under a heart-shaped arch. As each couple met, we did the wai and then kissed. We all then proceeded to another area on the beach where the Thai cultural marriage would be held.



Ten couples at a time were asked to kneel in this large decorated

table and put their hands (as in a prayer position) on top of a

blue, silk pillow. Pretty floral garlands were placed again around

our necks. An officiating officer then placed a white band

around our heads that were connected to each other,

symbolizing unity. He then placed three dots of a pasty mixture

on our foreheads while he said his blessing. The official then

poured lustral water over our hands to bless our marriage.



Underwater ceremony



Then came the part we were all waiting for--the underwater

ceremony. All the couples donned their wetsuits and dive gear

and headed for the water. Groups of 10 couples would dive at a

time. When it was our turn, Candy and I were giddy with

excitement.



As we made our way into 30 ft below, we saw a large table on

the sandy bottom with five officials and several underwater

photographers (both still and video). We were then lined up,

kneeling down and the ceremony proceeded with the

government official holding a laminated marriage certificate with

our names on it. He pointed to our names and motioned to us

for confirmation and we flashed an okay sign. He then went on

to sign the certificate, and gave further blessings (all through

hand signals). He then shook our hands and signaled us to seal

the underwater marriage with a kiss. Candy and I had never

kissed underwater during our many other dives back home, so

this was something new for us. We took off our regulators and

gave each other a meaningful but quick kiss on the lips. The

photographers asked us to kiss again for the cameras for three

more times and of course, Candy and I were both happy to

oblige!



Above the water, the press interviewed us. We said we were

really happy to have had the opportunity to renew our wedding

vows underwater. It was a wonderful feeling to be a part of this

unique experience.



The reception was held on Rajmongkol beach, a private beach

situated between two beautiful and large stone cliffs. Although

it was nighttime, we could see more of the stone cliffs across the

water and it was just incredible. What a way to end Valentine's

Day! It was a perfect ending to a perfect and beautiful day!



Back in our room, Candy and I were delighted to find our orchid

and rose petals shaped into two hearts. The next day, in an

acitivity sponsored by the Thailand Ministry of Forestry, we

planted a "love tree." The tree was labeled with our names and

the country we came from. It was a meaningful activity. In five

years, Candy and I could go back to Trang and see our tree

healthy and well. Hopefully, our marriage would be just as

healthy.



On the plane back to Manila, we tried to catch up on our sleep.

Candy and I were blissful with two thoughts: one, about the last

three wonderful days that the Lord had so graciously blessed

us with; and two, about the more exciting adventures to come in

our marriage.
 

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