Asi’s ‘mini-me’ christened Asianna

He wasn’t there when his beloved daughter was born last Jan. 23 at the Chinese General Hospital, so when the time came for baby Asianna Louise Taulava’s christening last Saturday, Mobiline center Asi Taulava pulled no stops to ensure it would be one unforgettable celebration.

Missing Asianna’s birth was just one of the many frustrating moments Taulava had to endure during the 13 months his deportation had forced him to stay away from the Philippines and the love of his life, Anna Mae Corveau, a former Miss UST and the 1999 Philippine STAR Face of the Year second runner-up.

Despite the distance, the duo kept in touch thrice daily via cellular phone. Corveau said that not once did she lose hope that Taulava would eventually return. Corveau’s mother Antonia, for her part, had assured her daughter, "Kung talagang ukol, babalik din siya."

"My mini-me" is how Taulava calls Asianna, whose facial features and body build are her father’s spitting image. The baby’s name is a combination of her parents’ names. "Louise" is in honor Asi’s late father-in-law Luis Corveau.

Despite the rains and Asianna’s intermittent crying pacified by her own thumb-sucking, Taulava and Corveau were the picture of fulfilled parents during the noon time baptismal rites officiated by Rev. Msgr. Jose Aguilan at the Malolos Cathedral. The family was indeed pretty in pink, with Taulava wearing a fuchsia long-sleeved shirt and Corveau a gown in a lighter shade of fuchsia that matched the pink embellishments on Asianna’s gown and head band.

Among the 13 pairs of godparents who attended the event were actress Marianne de la Riva, Corveau’s co-Face of the Year finalists Kaye Tolome and Raisa Mislang, Taulava’s Mobiline team mates Bong Ravena, Jerry Codiñera, Patrick Fran and Mobiline coaching staffer Frankie Lim, and this writer.

A sumptuous lunch followed for the more than 300 guests at the Atis Function Room of Malolos’ famed Barcie’s International Center. Corveau’s mother Antonia and siblings Antonette, Ronald, Andrew and Charles helped attend to the guests.

"I have a lot of making up to do for the times I wasn’t here," Taulava said, "and with this (celebration), I want Asianna to know that I really care."

Corveau said with visible pride, "Asi always tells Asianna he loves her."