Jason Buensalido & Nikki Dayrit Boncan: Designed to love

MANILA, Philippines - Neither architect could have known that the sweltering summer of 2005 would change the course of their lives.

When Nikki Dayrit Boncan walked into the architectural office of her professor for her internship, young architect Jason Buensalido fell in love. Just like that.

It was, for him, love at first sight.

Jason had just topped the board exam for architecture and was working in Nikki’s professor’s office. He was tasked to teach Nikki the tricks of the trade but he also wanted to teach her something more: to fall in love. With him.

Jason remembers with laughter, “Whatever it was I felt that day, I couldn’t contain it that I had to stand up, walk into a separate enclosed room from our open office, shout because of excitement and high-five my officemate that created a slapping sound that was heard by the whole office! And Nikki thought I was just being nice.” Jason, or John Patrick Anthony, is the second of three children of Dr. Adrian and Joy Buensalido.

Nikki adds, “Jason was assigned to teach me the basics of working in an architectural firm. On my first day, I felt there was a warm reception and I thought everyone, including Jason, was just being nice. After all, I was only there for one summer.  Little did I know that that summer was going to change my life forever.” Nikki, or Marie Veronique, is the elder of two daughters of Jaqui and Boom Boncan.

Well, it was quite easy for Jason and Nikki to fall for each other. Both are contemporary architects who share the same vision of changing the design scene in the Philippines.  “We both dream and inspire each other to become better and we both make each other better people.  We have the same dreams and we have the same values,” Nikki says.

 “I often say that she is a better version of me. We are so alike in so many ways. We share the same values and beliefs — love for our family and passion for our work. We’re both very moody, and we’re both not morning persons,” Jason says.

“When I get masungit,” Nikki adds with a dose of laughter, “Jason knows which buttons to push to make me laugh. We complement each other.”

The couple recognizes that their differences, amusing as they are many times, are the same things that make them click. Jason admits that he’s a man of action. “When there is a concurrent task, I would will for it to be done right away and address the obstacles along the way. But Nikki likes to think of all the little details that the task will entail before actually doing it. I find this great because I think these two contrasting attitudes are actually complementary. When it comes to design, most especially, I think we make a perfect team — I think of the big idea, she follows through with the details.”

Winning Nikki’s heart, Jason admits, was not an easy task. But both discovered, when they entered into a relationship five years ago, that they were meant for each other. Humor is an intrinsic part of their relationship. They laugh even at mundane things. For example, when Jason proposed to Nikki, he forgot the ring in the car. So he rushed back to get it while Nikki, blindfolded at that, had to wait for him. By the way, the engagement ring Jason gave Nikki inspired the two to design a cultural center structure that won for them an award.

 “I prayed that God would give me the right man. When you wait and stay in God’s will, he gives you the desires of your heart,” Nikki says.

Norma Francia, Bum Tenorio and Milette Francia-Belmonte with Jason and Nikki Buensalido

And so Nikki got the desires of her heart in Jason. Together, they enjoy traveling, watching out for modern architecture, studying buildings. They love wakeboarding together and discovering new things and new places together. More than those, they both love to dream big dreams — and they know, with their love as their compass, those dreams will become realities.

And so on Nov. 11, 2011 — that very auspicious day of 11-11-11 — Jason Buensalido waited for his bride by the altar of St. James the Great Parish in Ayala Alabang. When the church’s doors opened, they revealed a vision of grace as Nikki Dayrit Boncan glided down the aisle like a princess in her Amir Sali gown.

As Nikki walked towards him, Jason unabashedly shed tears — of joy, of bliss, of excitement.

“Forever is too short a time to spend with my wife,” Jason says, gently caressing the hand of Nikki. Again — like so many times before — Nikki melts in his arms.

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E-mail the author at bumbaki@yahoo.com.