KUCHING: You need to have nerves of steel to want to propose to your girlfriend in the middle of a huge crowd.
Property assistant manager Joey Vitales took the gamble and proposed to the love of his life during the last day of the recently concluded Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) here.
The 32-year-old braved himself, knelt on one knee and asked Leanne Tee for her hand in marriage.
The duo from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah had known each other for seven years, and both share similar interests such as attending musical events, camping and going on road trips with friends.
Thirty-year-old Leanne, an executive based in Labuan met Joey through mutual friends back in 2013.
Shocked and excited at the same time, she said she had not expected Joey to propose to her on that night.
It was during Alena Murang’s performance when Joey decided to propose to her. What made it even more more memorable was that Joey’s mother was there too, witnessing the proposal.
“It was all in the feel for me at that time. I was blushing the whole time when he popped the magic words while he was down on his knees. I was filled with overwhelming happiness, joy and truly shocked by it.
“Alena’s performance at that time was so soothing and romantic, I think the song that she was performing was Pemung Jae? I was literally feeling the music and then it happened,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
She said the crowd was initially quiet when the proposal happened, but then their friends started cheering, and it eventually gained the crowd’s attention.
“The entire area was filled with cheers and people started congratulating us. Definitely a night to remember,” she said.
Asked if she felt something unusual about Joey prior to the proposal, she said she had wondered why her friends from Sabah were so eager to book flights at the very last minute to go to Kuching.
“It got me thinking… this is our third time attending RWMF, usually it will be just me and Joey attending.
“But this time around, it is with a group of friends and with his mother as well. I did feel a little bit curious at first, as some of our friends bought last minute flight tickets to Kuching.
“Everyone’s reason was because they want to experience RWMF for the first time and plus it’s the event’s 25th Anniversary. So, I assumed that was their main reason.
“Turns out they attended the event for another special reason,” she said, as she laughed.
Leanne said the next step is to discuss with their parents on when would be their big day.
“Most probably after my sister’s wedding reception is settled by the end of the year, then we can finally focus on our preparation for the engagement and wedding,” she said.
