How my son Teddyboy, 40, finally found true love

MANILA, Philippines - I honestly don’t know where to begin. The writer in my family is my son Teddyboy Kalaw. And my attempt to share my thoughts (wrapped in emotional euphoria) is also difficult to put down in words. However, due to the request of a very special friend, I will try.

All mothers wish for their children to have the best. From the day of conception, to birth, and to their growth as adults, we pray for their happiness and success. And when it’s time for them to have a family of their own, we doubly pray that “it is a match made in heaven.”

My Teddyboy, at 40, finally proposed to his dream girl last March 20, 36 years after they first met. Yes, 36 years after! On March 20, 1976, Teddyboy and Bunny Villarosa Reyes met during their nursery graduation at DML Montessori, New Manila, Quezon City. This they found out later while dating, and Teddyboy still has the nursery graduation program where both their names were printed.

Then when they were both first-year college students at Ateneo, they met again. They dated once or twice. But nothing happened because my son’s curfew was earlier than hers. According to my sister Lizette, she even bought a gift for Bunny when they dated. Of course, a teddy bear!

Three is family: Widowed four years ago, Bunny has a daughter, Rafaela, who will be calling Teddyboy Daddy soon.

In January 2011, after a family Asian cruise, they accidentally met at the Changi Singapore Airport on the way back. They kept in touch and by October they were frequently dating. According to Teddyboy, Bunny officially committed herself on Jan. 1, 2012. It could have been maybe earlier, on Dec. 31, but I did not allow Teddyboy to drive up to Tagaytay on New Year’s Eve. So as I said earlier, Teddyboy proposed March 20 and by Easter Sunday my family was trooping to the Villarosas’ summer house in Tagaytay Highlands for the pamanhikan. 

I remember that Teddyboy was already asking odd questions leading to the introduction of Bunny around November. He even requested his Tito Alex Sison to give up his CCP ticket for Mamma Mia!, just to bring her as a date. As time went on, everything just fit together perfectly. Teddyboy made sure that it was how he wanted everything to be.

Merliza Villarosa Reyes (Bunny to her family and friends) has been a widow of four years and has a daughter named Eli. She is the eldest daughter of Mayor Jose Villarosa and Rep. Girlie Villarosa of Mindoro. Not only is she attractive but she is also intelligent with four degrees on her résumé. I find her very level-headed and well organized. As I get to know her better, I get the feeling that, soon, I will have the daughter-in-law I have always prayed for. 

I raised my two sons for the past 41 years solely. Being strict and consistent is finally paying off. Today, Teddyboy is ready to be a husband to Bunny and father to Eli. And I doubly pray for their happiness and success.

The pamanhikan: Author Trina Kalaw (seated, center) is flanked by her mother-in-law former Senator Eva Estrada-Kalaw (left) and her mother Lourdes Yujuico (right). Standing are Bunny flanked by her parents, Mayor Jose Villarosa and Rep. Girlie Villarosa of Mindoro, and Teddyboy with his Tito Alex Sison.