Engagement Story: Proposal on Cloud 9
March 5, 2007 by Christine Gooding
Filed under Getting Engaged
Are you a harrassed boyfriend thinking of the best way to propose to your beloved? What about ‘imitating’ what Kiko did to his lovely fiancee, Gretchen.
WHEN Gretchen Montelibano, 29, raised her hand to show her pink leather-bound Bible for Cebu Pacific’s (CEB) Bring Me game, she thought she had just won a CD organizer.
She got an engagement ring instead.
Unknown to the lovely lady, her boyfriend of one year and six months Francis “Kiko” Torno III had everything set-up: A wedding proposal 37,000 feet above sea level.
About 130 passengers on-board CEB’s Bacolod-bound Flight 5J475, which left Manila on Valentine’s Day at around 8:25 a.m., witnessed Kiko’s dreamy surprise.
What started out as an innocent in-flight game ended with Kiko singing “The Way You Look Tonight,’’ going down on one knee, and popping the question “will you be my wife?’’ to the blushing bride-to-be.
The next thing Gretchen knew, cabin crew chief supervisor Ralph Perez was already handing her a gorgeous spring bouquet which Kiko had earlier asked the crew to hide.
In between surprised laughter and excitement, Gretchen managed to answer with a sweet “yes!’’
“I’m really, really looking forward to spending my life with you. It’s going to be an adventure,’’ enthused Gretchen whom Kiko lovingly described as “a humble and free spirit who loves sports,’’
The couple met in a Bible study. After getting to know each other over coffee, they began dating in July 2005. Right from the very start, they knew that their relationship was for keeps, with settling down for good as their ultimate goal.
“It’s gonna be cheesy, but I love you,’’ he said as they both settled back into their seats.
Passengers were just as thrilled to be part of this romantic event. Just before alighting from CEB’s Airbus A319, some gave their warm wishes to the newly–engaged couple.
“This is so nice. I take my hat off to you,’’ said one passenger to Kiko as she extended her hand to congratulate the couple.
Just when everyone thought that the surprises had ended, Cebu Pacific gave the couple an early wedding gift: round-trip tickets for two to any of its 20 local destinations!
