Posted by Jason on Nov 26, '07 3:53 PM for everyone Oh dear. Where do I begin? The timeline here will be slightly disjointed, so please do bear with me if I hop back and forth in my storytelling. It's been a thoroughly exhausting week and I haven't fully recovered from all this pleasant madness. 2007 Philippine Ad Congress, Day 02 - Neil's opening remarks:I can vaguely recall Neil saying something about creativity, storytelling, and always asking, "What If?" because it's from this "What If?" that we generate ideas and come up with stories. This was directly related to much of his writing, including his most current masterpiece-in-the-making, The Graveyard Book. In it, he answered the question, "What if a real baby could be raised in a graveyard...by dead people?"
*He read the first chapter of the book at the signing event - it's rather good.
So I think it's apt that I label what I did as my "What If?” moment. Because, to propose to my lovely girlfriend Maui, I asked the following:
"What if I could get Neil Gaiman, our most fave author and fantasy writer, to help propose to her?"*I was under a lot of pressure from friends to find a "creative" way of proposing. So guys – was this creative enough for you? ;c)
Three Weeks Ago:I already knew some time before that Neil was going to be at the Ad Congress to give a couple of talks and a signing. So one late night, I went to the "Ask Neil" portion of his blog and wrote a rather long e-mail about how I planned to propose, and if he could find some time in his busy sched and play a small part (understatement of the year) in it. I did this well knowing that the e-mail would probably discarded along with the thousands of messages he gets every day.But two days later, a reply from his assistant: Hi Jason,I am sure we can help with this, give me a bit to make sure of his schedule... And a day later, while having lunch with Maui, I got a call from Jaime Daez, owner of local book superstore Fully Booked, telling me that Neil had in fact, agreed, and would be very happy to help me out. I rushed over to Fully Booked to talk to Jaime (he wanted to meet and see my face so that he could signal Neil during the event) and ended up buying a copy of Absolute Sandman Vol. 02 (which was going to be the book).  Expensive, but well worth it.
What followed was about 2 weeks' worth of planning and headaches to make sure everything was perfect.
2007 Philippine Ad Congress, Day 02 - In a Hallway for "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY":After Neil's talk, Maui rushed off to the loo. So I attempted to ambush Neil and introduce myself as "that insane guy you're helping to propose to his girlfriend." But Maui quickly exited the bathrooms and rushed towards me, frozen in disbelief that Neil was actually there. So I instead pushed her towards Neil and took a snap:  Happy Neil Moment #1. If only she knew... STILL not content with my planning (which was reaching new heights of being Obsessive-Compulsive), I approached Lucre Villaluna of the Ad Congress Neil Gaiman event to put in yet ANOTHER failsafe measure. I told her my story, and wrote a short note to Neil reminding him of what was going to go down on Saturday. I know, I know - a bit much, but I WAS in an O-C mood. And during dinner the next night, I received an SMS from her. What follows is our SMS exchange:
Lucre: Where r u?
Me: What's up? Good news, I hope.
Lucre: Yes, bt pls kip it confidential. Can u call me ASAP?I rushed out of the dining hall to call her:
Lucre: Hi! Someone wants to speak with you.
SFX: Shuffling, muffled voices, and then...
Neil: Hello, Jason. So we're going to have you married on Saturday, then?
Me (drooling): ...
We talked about how it would go down, and agreed on certain visual cues to make things go a smoothly as possible. Neil: Let's make some magic happen on Saturday.
Me (on the verge of fainting): ...
*I hadn't counted on this happening. It made my night. Thanks again, Neil.
Saturday, 6:30am, El Centro, Subic:Groggy from a night of partying, we joined the line at an ungodly hour. Some guy had lined up at 12:30am, which was kind of freaky in a stalker-ish way, but we were all geeks anyway so it was all good. Ha!  For a last bit of planning, Lucre pulled me out of the line and shuttled me inside the venue to go over the entire routine. Everyone in the organizing committee was now in on it: ushers, doormen, bouncers and photographers. The operation would be simple: during the signing, they would stop everybody behind us from going up on stage and let the entire thing play out. So at about 9:00am, a haggard and jet-lagged Neil took to the stage to read the first chapter of The Graveyard Book and answer some questions. Then he would sign books for the first 100 people in line (Maui and I were #19 and #20).
 Here's the book.
*The rest of the story will be told mostly in pictures and captions. At this point, my mind was blank and I really, really can't recall what happened.  Yes, Maui. Neil rocks. And he will rock further...
 ...because he wrote this.
...and Maui actually failed to notice Neil's dedication because she was so starstruck. It took him about three times to actually get her to read the darn thing. Maui (squealing, closing the book): Thanks!!! Neil: Aren't you going to read what I wrote? You have to read it.. Maui (opening the book, shrugging, then closing it again): Thanks!!! Me: You have to read the dedication... And she bent over to give Neil a kiss, STILL not noticing what was going on. Neil: You really have to read this... When she did (FINALLY!)...  Maui: OH MY GOD!!! (20x)
I took the ring out of my left pocket. Because of portability issues, I left the case back in the hotel, instead substituting a velvet pouch I'd hastily constructed before leaving for Subic. And then I knelt. I really hadn't planned on kneeling. I thought it was an act that was too typical of a proposal and should be left out. But strangely, I found myself down on one knee, staring up at my now-tearful girlfriend and repeating, "Willyouwillyouwillyouwillyou?" over and over. ...and she said, "Yes."
 My guess is that the photographer was getting emotional as well.
This silly little act drew gasps, awwwsss and claps from the crowd. Friends cheered, strangers cried and my knees...were shaking worse than a 5.7 earthquake. Maui hugged me, her back towards Neil. I reached out to shake his hand, whispering, "Thank you!" over and over. The Author. Neil. Gaiman. just. helped. me. propose. to. my. girlfriend. And in the midst of all this, we managed to give Neil a copy of Maui's great grandad's book on folk tales (he was the writer of Lola Basyang, a popular children's folktale series). Anyway, back to the pictures:
 Maui talking to her mum: Were you in on it?!!
 Which is the ring of power now?
...and to top it off, that night at the Araw (advertising) Awards, we each won a bronze! Me for interactive, and Maui for outdoor.  Two bronzes and a diamond. Not a bad haul, eh?
All this excitement and stress in just one day. Whew! So there it is. A crazy, happy and exhausting weekend for us. More pictures are coming in, even a video! We'll post 'em soon. Until then, there's a week's worth of backlog work to be dealt with.
 | wasak!!!! congrats sa inyong dalawa! |
 | yomz wrote on Nov 26, '07 double congratulations to both of you! :D |
 | Holy cats! Congratulations to you both -- and dang if that isn't the coolest proposal story ever!
Jackie |
 | wow. i just saw a link to this in neil's journal. so cool! :) |
 | Amazing Jason! Beautiful proposal! I'm so happy for you both! Congratulations! :) |
 | Astig, pare :) Good job :) |
 | madmd wrote on Nov 26, '07 now THAT was just AWESOME!!!! You did say you got something signed for me right???? Hehehe....no tbad for something to tell the grandkids someday...Good going li'l bro! |
 | I was there! Congratulations! =)
Is Neil going to be one of the sponsors? hehe just kidding..... |
 | thepd wrote on Nov 27, '07 |
 | zee18 wrote on Nov 27, '07 wow.... just WOW!
I just got linked to this from Neil's journal! That was just awesome! So cool! |
 | pippo wrote on Nov 27, '07 Hey Jason congratulations! |
 | CONGRATULATIONS! We were the first seven in the line--yep, waited there extra early because we are paranoid geeks. As we were savouring the Neil Gaiman high, we heard the commotion--your proposal--and my sister quipped "Bwiset! sana may gimmick din akong ganyan!" Yes, she was dying of envy. So, great job on that proposal, now we all have your fab story to tell. |
 | Congratulations! You must be something special! I saw Mr. Gaiman at the Comic Conand he was a total JERK towards me! You two make a love couple! May you enjoy a hundred years of bliss! |
 | so, this is the complete story. i heard the proposal thing from Neil Gaiman himself during his visit in Fully Booked @ Bonifacio High Street. so sweet. congratz :) |
 | Found this linked to Neil's Journal. This is just cool. A great story indeed
Best wishes to you!!! Ü |
 | chefsy wrote on Nov 27, '07, edited on Nov 27, '07 awww jason you really made maui ... cry! oh, god. NEIL GAIMAN ON YOUR SIDE!!! :)) Grabe! Aww! Mr. Gaiman did post about your proposal on his site. Shux!!
Congratulations to you and maui :) |
 | that is just the sweetest thing ever :-) congrats jason and maui! |
 | J! congrats! i still can't get over how great it went. :D when reg told me you texted to say that it was a success, i was majorly excited! makes me wish sana we lined up that morning too just so we could've watched. haha! the pictures and entry make a fine replacement tho. :) |
 | Wow! That was just amazing. Saw this link from Neil Gaiman's blog. Astig ka! |
 | Congratulations Jason! I heard NG talk about it at the Fully Booked talk, but when I saw the link on his blog and then saw who the Jason he was talking about was, well deserved. And talk about a lovely way to make sure she said yes lol. Congratulations too on the award. |
 | Thank you, guys!!! As Neil would probably say it, I'm rather "chuffed." Haha! Somebody actually took a video of the entire proposal - I'll post it here soon. :D |
 | OMG! Congratulations, friend! |
 | Wicked! Congratulations on the whole event. What an awesome proposal idea and very cool of Gaiman to do it. I haven't been there myself (after all it's half a world away) but I sure would have loved to =).
Good luck! - Mara
P.S. Love the ring ;) |
 | Got here from Neil's journal. Amazing, congrats guys! |
 | WOW. That's amazing! O_O
It's great how Neil helped you out! :D |
 | blog hopping via neil/s blog and wow, this is probably one of the best proposals ever. |
 | Asteg asteg asteg!!!
ang bangis!!! congrats!!! |
 | emosuitcase wrote on Nov 27, '07, edited on Nov 27, '07 napadaan lang at gusto kong sabihin na huwaaaaaaaaaaw! congrats! natouch ako ng kuwento na ito. gusto ko lang ipaalam na pinost ko ang link ng blog mo sa aking blog. :) grabe hinding hindi niyo malilimutan ang nangyari yan sa buong buhay niyo. congrats ulit! masaya ako para sa inyo (kahit napadaan lang ako, hindi ko lang talaga mapigilan *_*) |
 | thats a cool story sir. congrats on your engagement. |
 | Ang lupit dude! Just read this through my sister... coincidentally, also went to Subic on Saturday to pick up my GF from Ad Congress :P Amazingly creative!
But no thanks for raising the bar for us Neanderthals :P JK! |
 | OH MY GHULAY! Ang swerte mo, dude! Na-meet mo na harapan si Neil, tinulungan ka pa niya magpropose, at sumagot ng "matamis na oo" ang GF mo sa proposal mo! Napadaan lang galing sa blog ni Neil. Congratulations nga pala! Sobrang hindi mo makakalimutan ang araw na yan ah :D |
 | I got your link from Neil's blog. :) I was able to record on video his account of your proposal during the Fully Booked event last Sunday, and I'm gonna upload it right now on youtube. :) I'll give you the link once it's online. God bless to you and your future family! :) - Deane |
 | Congratulations! This is really sweet and super cool at the same time! :) (And duuude you're famous now!) |
 | you and your girlfriend are the luckiest people on earth. that's the most creative thing evaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr. haha. :) got this link from neil gaiman's blog feed btw.congratulations. :) |
 | that's so sweet. :) congrats!
oops, just some random girl who got here from neil gaiman's blog. hahaha he's awesome. and you're awesome too! :D |
 | i got into neil gaiman's site and i was also there for the adcongress. he even related your amazing story to us when he went to hi street bonifacio for a fully booked event. congratulations! it's like you're marrying neil gaiman and the woman of your dreams at the same time. ^_^ |
 | Hi! I saw this through a link on Neil Gaiman's blog which my friend sent me. I was really moved by your story. Maui is one lucky girl and you are one romantic guy! I posted this as a link on my site, if you don't mind. I just want people to know that there are people like you who give meaning to the phrase "true love". :D Congratulations to the two of you! Oh, and Neil Gaiman rocks for doing this for you. :D |
 | wow! that was sooo sweet AND creative!!!
congratulations and good luck! :D
how i wish i got to see neil on that day. i dont knowyou, but really, that was sooo wow.
congratulations again!!!
|
 | hahahaha omg that wins XD
congratulations. on so many levels |
 | congrats! i just saw this link in Neil Gaiman's journal. i'm actually fascinated by your unique style in proposing. rock on! |
 | esduren wrote on Nov 27, '07, edited on Nov 27, '07 I also got here due to Neil's post in his blog (he's so cool!)
Congrats!
*eta: I just read the whole thing again. Awesome! Just awesome! |
 | congratulations! i got here via neil gaiman's blog (as well as a few others who thoughtfully linked you up because they thought this was the sweetest proposal ever). much <333333 to you and your bride-to-be! |
 | i don't know you, but congratulations to the both of you!!! ang galing mo, man! hahahhaha =)) |
 | I saw this link in Neil's journal too - what a fantastic way to propose. May you both have years of happiness and love. |
 | CONGRATULATIONS!
I heard about this from a friend who saw what happened. congratulations again! |
 | Came here from Neil's blog. Congratulations! |
 | Congratulations! I saw the link to your page from Mr. Neil Gaiman's lj :) |
 | i found this from Neil's journal, like everyone else... congratulations!!!! that's so totally awesome of you to think of such a unique way to propose... and i am so glad neil was happy to help. i have met neil on a few occasions (signings) and he was always the nicest person in the world. good luck to you both! and a great story too! (i'm slightly jealous! hahaha)
cheers
lauren :)
(blinkilite) |
 | wow, I just read about this in Neil's blog - congrats to you both, that's the most wickedly awesome way to propose |
 | Saw the link from Neil's blog, Ingenious way to propose. Congrats!! |
 | congratulations! i think you're amazing. maui is VERY lucky to get married to you. my heart raced as i read the whole thing! i wish my future boyfriend would do something similar. hahahaha. and neil was waaay too kind (and so terribly cool) to have been involved. he's so great! congrats again!
btw, i also got this link off neil's blog. :) |
 | Now, THAT'S a marriage proposal! Congratulations! Neil Gaiman did talk about it during his visit to Bonifacio High Street courtyard for the launch of Expeditions last Sunday. And he did put this link on his journal. :-) --- Prudence ( http://tesstermulo.com) --> my main blog, I don't use multiply that often |
 | this has been said so many times already, but... DAMN. you are one LUCKY person. =p |
| And yeah, expect traffic to increase for the next few days in this site. I think everybody's posting this link in their blogs because they're so happy and amazed about what happened. Unforgettable, I'd say, even if it didn't happen to me. :-) I hope you didn't mind that I linked to this site. --- Prudence ( http://tesstermulo.com) |
 | I just wanted to extend my congratulations
|
 | lafz wrote on Nov 27, '07 yahooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
 | Awww. This is so nice. Congrats! |
 | danielerrr wrote on Nov 27, '07, edited on Nov 27, '07 Oh my god!! So you guys were the couple that day!! I thought you just popped the question out of nowhere but wow! Neil helped too! Awesome!! Best Wishes!!! =D =D
I took some (blurry) pictures of your proposal too. Incredibly sweet. =)
Got here from Neil's journal as well. =)
Edit: I was #2 (got there at 12am). =) No, I wasn't stalking him. Haha... |
| Hi everyone. Thanks for all the comments! We're really overwhelmed by the events of the past few days and all the people going to our blogs. A friend sneaked in a video of the entire proposal, and you can view it here: http://diveabout.multiply.com/video/item/3/Proposal_VideoYeah, you could say we're chuffed. =) |
 | Nice :) so happy for Maui! |
 | fantastic! so funny that it took neil several times to get her to read it, heheheh |
 | wow! that's soooooooooo sweet! :)
*sniffles* |
 | naloka ako...congratulations! hanep talaga ang jason mag-isip hehehe. award-winning! |
 | Panalo.
-Older Brother using Little Sister's Account. |
 | Holy Crap!!! What a great proposal! All the geeks in the world will vow to you!!! :D
Congrats guys. :) |
 | Aw, that's so awesome. Congratulations! |
 | Wow, man, I didn't think it was rigged! Congratulations to you guys! The event within the event was really overwhelming in a heartwarming sort of way. :)
When we noticed the commotion at the stage, some of us thought your then-fiancee-to-be was going to get sick and throw up, until we noticed you kneeling in front of her (the cameramen were in the way but that's ok).
By the way, the organizing commitee got it wrong, I got there earlier than 12:30. ;)
Congratulations again! |
 | Way to go little brother! This has to be THE family anecdote of the year. |
 | jacyh wrote on Nov 27, '07 Congratulations! I was there during the signing and was wondering what was up. Once again, congratulations!
(Got here from Neil's blog) |
 | LEGENDARY. Congratulations and best wishes! |
 | edelc wrote on Nov 27, '07 |
 | Legendary indeed. I admire your courage! Congrats!!!! =) |
 | wow!i so admire your effort.you trully love her, for you to ask Neil Gaiman to help on such an earth-shaking phenomenon to a woman's life (hope im making sense here :D).hope all men would learn something from you.Congratulations and Best Wishes!:D |
 | wow, grabe. congrats dude. |
 | Random visitor. Congratulations to you two! Awesome how you got Neil Gaiman into it ehehe. Best wishes! |
 | supercalifragilistically awesome dude! congrats sa inyong dalawa! |
 | congratulations! i'm so envious of your girlfriend. :) Galing ng idea mo. And this proves all the more how much of a great guy Neil Gaiman is! He's just the best ever! |
 | all i can say is WOW. im in the verge of crying after reading this. to have neil gaiman to help you out! that was really creative and sweet! congratulations and best wishes to the both of you! |
 | someone i know shared the link via twitter. congratulations! :) not only on the proposal but the awards as well. it was so nice reading about this. it made me *kilig* ^_^ |
 | eto ang tinatawag na "moment." 'yuz! congrats, man! |
 | omg reading this made me shiver ten thousand times. that was awesome. congrats to both of you! |
 | damn it man, i know you but youre my idol. congratulations! |
 | Pa-EPAL lang kahit i dunno you pero naiyak ako. hehe Had the chance to meet Neil also during the Ad Cong. But yours is freakin AWESOME! Cowabongga dude! haha Damn Man Congrats to you and MAUI! haha kakaiyak!!! |
 | made me cry! congrats guys! |
 | this is such a sweet story! congratulations on your engagement :D my friend said neil gaiman talked about this during the event last sunday. |
 | ^^ That was AWESOME. He mentioned this at the Serendra event last Sunday! Congratulations to you both! :) |
 | something directed me here... WIN! though my stand regarding marriage = big mistake still stands, but good luck. may you have a happy days all the time. well that's impossible, just hold on to it good enough and tight. |
 | Got linked to your multiply from Neil Gaiman's site. Also heard about your Saturday in Subic from Mr. Gaiman himself when he spoke at the Fully Booked Awards event. Just wanted to say that was SO COOL and Congratulations + Best Wishes to Maui and you ;) |
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