A lot of smiles have been spread since the opening of the 43rd MassKara Festival but nothing is sweeter than the unexpected marriage proposal during the invitational sports competition, Mr. Bacolod 2022, at the Ayala Events Center in Ayala Malls Capitol Central, Bacolod City, on October 11.
Bodybuilder John Garcia, 29, proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Jesa Mojares, 31, on stage, in the midst of the competition. The proposal was captured and shared in Bacolod Yuhum Foundation’s social media page.
It was then double smiles for John after he was crowned champion in the Men’s Physique Tall category.
John said he was planning the proposal for four weeks now but could not find an opportunity as he was busy preparing for the competitions which had taken a toll on their relationship.
“This is my fifth competition for this year alone and it can be very taxing,” John said, adding that prior to their trip to Bacolod, “our relationship was rocky because my regimen, particularly my diet makes me irritable.”
In fact, John said that the couple nearly split-up and “we agreed that we will talk about our relationship after the Bacolod competition.”
The thought of losing Jesa pushed him to make a decision. “I was ready to gamble everything and prepared myself if she says yes or no, but I just had to do it,” John said.
Along with the proposal was a commitment that John will take a season off from competitions to work on their relationship and prepare for their wedding which they plan to hold next year.
“I had the ring on me when we took this trip. I hid it in my shoes as Jesa might discover it in while rummaging in our suitcase,” John said.
The day of the competition, John talked to his coach, Wins Hipe, to help him convince the organizers if they will go with his plan.
Jesa was unaware of what was happening and was outside the hall when the plan was being concocted. When Jesa came back, she heard her name being called and thought she won one of the raffle prizes. She was really taken aback when she saw John on his knees with a ring but readily gave her nod which led to roars, applause and smiles, from the audience.
John said that Jesa’s acceptance makes him seriously think of cutting himself off from competing and to just concentrate on his fulltime job as a body-building coach. “I am seriously thinking of retiring from competition and just put up a small business with Jesa’s help,” he said, but added that that is something the couple needs to discuss moving forward.
But for now, the newly-engaged couple will spend the rest of their trip to enjoy Bacolod and revel with the happy faces around them.*
