Good News Corner
'Shot puno': 'Gin bilog' given as souvenir in baptism reception in Rizal
The ideal baptism party has three major elements: reasonable cost, palatable food, and creative souvenirs.
In Rizal, a family seems to have nailed every element during the special day, particularly the last one because of what it handed out to the ninongs, ninangs, and other esteemed guests: bottles of “gin bilog.”
“Thank God at nairaos na po ang binyag and birthday ni Aly,” mother Analyn Barnedo wrote in a public Facebook post on Nov. 8, accompanied by photos of the event.
Thank's God at nairaos na po ang Binyag and Birthday ni Aly thank you sa lahat ng blessing.❤❤❤ Thank you so much Daddy...
Posted by Analyn Barnedo on Monday, November 7, 2022
Analyn also thanked attendees, pointing out that she almost took care of Aly’s party by herself.
“Worth it ang almost one month na preparation ni Mommy (sa iyo),” she said in her post. “Sana po naging masaya din kayo.”
In her cover photo, Analyn is carrying her baby as she holds the bottle of the souvenir. "Yeah, shot puno," the caption read.
A number of meme pages caught wind of her post and shared the photos showing the gin bilog bottles. Even a tabloid reported the eye-popper.
She told PhilSTAR L!fe that since “90%” of their guests drink alcohol, she thought their chosen souvenir, though unassuming and unorthodox, is something that will be most welcome to them—and something that will make the occasion more meaningful.
“Alam naming matutuwa sila,” the 25-year-old mother said. “Nagulat din sila, kasi first time nilang maka-encounter ng ganoong uri ng souvenir.”
Aside from gin bilog bottles, they also gave liquor-lovin’ guests more alcohol, though it’s already the non-drinkable kind: hand sanitizers in do-it-yourself containers.
Analyn assured netizens who may be scandalized by the thought of distributing gin bilog during a baptism party that they’re upstanding enough. (In fact, no raucous "walwalan" involving the souvenir gin bilog took place during the party.)
“Kami ng mga friends ko ay manginginom with priorities sa buhay. Hahaha!” she said.
Speaking of responsibilities, Analyn and her partner are doing everything they can as parents to give Aly a bright future.
She noted that she manages several businesses, like a loading service for an e-wallet platform, a printing shop, a rice store, and an ice cream franchise.
Her 28-year-old partner Aljon Curbo, meanwhile, is working overseas in Taiwan as a machine operator since last year. Aljon’s contract lasts until 2024.
Their love story appears to be straight out of a movie. Analyn said they’re classmates in college, eventually becoming part of the same barkada.
Like any other student, inuman sessions jazzed up the university life of Analyn and Aljon's group. And what further jazzed up that university life goes without saying, of course.
Analyn and Aljon are together for almost six years now, and though they’re over a thousand kilometers apart since 2021, their relationship has already been aging like wine.
When he got her pregnant, Aljon started looking for a financially rewarding job immediately. Though he won't have the chance to hold Aly, he grabbed the opportunity to go abroad as soon as possible, thinking of the bigger picture.
As a matter of fact, they’re already getting their dream house built in Antipolo.
In terms of communication with Aljon, they’re subscribing to what the love handbook preaches: effort and consistency.
During Aljon’s working days, Analyn said they hold a video call before his shift, during his break time, and after he gets back to his residence. They spend more time talking during his rest days.
Even though Aljon is working the graveyard shift, Analyn emphasized: “Hindi naging problema iyong communication.”
Asked for advice for couples out there, Analyn said the key to a lasting relationship is being content.
While disagreements are inevitable, she noted that one must not resort to having an affair with somebody else.
For Analyn, being a partner, a parent, and a “manginginom” all have something in common: someone who, at the end of the day, knows their priorities.
“Lalo na sa mga nasa LDR (long-distance relationship) tulad namin,” she said, “tiis-tiis lang para sa pangarap.”