“Love is Patient, Love is Kind” Congratulations Dr. Harold and Maria Starzyk-Sy

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

I met Harold four years ago in Torrance, California, introduced to me by my son Kristoffer. He came as a guest of Mark Calayag, who was working with him at his clinic in Chicago. I honestly thought he was one of my son’s “regular” friends, skinny, boyish-ooking with a very affable smile when he shook my hand politely, drink in hand, and a ready compliment for the hosts. My, he was certainly instantly likable, I thought, as all of my son’s friends were. Soon, the party was in full swing, a group of Kristoffer’s friends flew in from Chicago just to celebrate his birthday with him, but it wasn’t until the late night “Karaoke” jam that I really took notice of Harold.

I was in the kitchen preparing to wash the glasses since they seemed to be consuming inordinate amounts of alcohol when I heard this powerful voice that eased into the song “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. I initially thought they were playing the actual song from a downloaded version, but when I heard them clapping and shouting for more, I knew it had to be a live rendition. I quickly discarded the rubber gloves and peeked into the living room, and there I saw Harold, going into a Michael Jackson number, flipping from rock to disco with the control and finesse of a professional singer, albeit a little tipsy, and bringing the house down with his cool rendition of 80’s tunes. Whatever the friends requested, he delivered, and soon, I was one of those mesmerized by this man’s talent, only to find out later that not only was he a doctor by profession, an ophthalmologist no less, a successful one I was told, and that he was also the son of Dr Alfredo Sy, his father, a wellknown physician, and together with Harold’s mom, Hilda, they were a highly- respected couple in our small Filipino community of Chicago. The very next day, I was on the phone with my publisher, Veronica Leighton, gushing over this young man who I instantly nominated to be a one of our “Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Famers” on the spot, to which she replied “Good luck”. Apparently, our Via Times boss lady had reached out to Harold for exactly that reason for the last couple of years with no success. Needless to say, I did exactly the same thing, and chased after my future awardee.

I left messages by text and voicemail. When he finally responded a week after the party, he politely laughed and said that he will think about it. I also reached out to his dad, Dr. Alfredo Sy, who said they tried supporting Veronica’s initial proposal for Harold to be an awardee, but that ultimately, it would have to be their son’s decision. So for the next couple of years, we patiently waited and, finally, last year, 2018, my unicorn said “Yes” and it made our Hall of Fame night one for the books. With his characteristic boyish charm and golden voice, Dr. Harold Sy, our awardee in Medicine, not only rocked the house, but gamely sang to two encore numbers, his talent and stage presence upstaging all the other performers that evening. It was also that night that we were introduced to his lovely fiancee, Maria Starzyk, a strikingly beautiful blonde that could stop any man’s heart, and I guess with Harold, it’s exactly what happened.

Now that I have established the careful, kind of guarded man that Dr. Harold Sy, I received a phone call from Harold in July, asking if I ever received his wedding invitation. I recently moved from our last place in the month after Hall of Fame so I surmised that he had my old address, which in fact he did, and he proceeded to ask me if I could make it to his wedding coming up in September. I told him I was honored to attend, and a few days later, I received the official invite and on September 14, 2019. I was one of the intimate 150 guests that witnessed the auspicious, touching and short ceremony of the union of Harold to his bride Maria at the posh W Hotel downtown. The ceremony was brief yet meaningful, the cocktail hour private and classy, and the reception itself fun and memorable. Everything was done at the hotel, therefore it was a well thought out, easy and efficient, a sentimental, romantic and emotional celebration that seemed to be Harold and Maria’s hallmark goal that evening.

The wedding ballroom that evening was elegantly decorated with fresh flowers, crystal votives w lighted tapered candles, and the view of the city lights from the huge picture windows of the high ceiling ballroom was the perfect canvas for their reception. Guests were still full from the cocktail hour held at the Penthouse Bar of the W, the whole place closed for the Sy event as waiters walked around offering delectable appetizers of garlic shrimp, hefty meatballs, tomato bruschetta and bacon wrapped figs. An open bar served up unlimited flutes of chilled champagne and specialty cocktails, as party-goers like myself, Joe and Veronica, were mesmerized by the city lights, an amazing unobstructed view from the topmost floor of the W Hotel. Soon, the bride and groom made an entrance just to invite everyone down to join them at the reception.

We were all touched by the sentiment expressed by proud dad, Dr Alfredo Sy, as he spoke about his son in the way only a loving Father could while honoring his new daughter in law and her family. The groom himself, Harold recounted their love story while toasting his bride, and the fun dance number performed with his groomsmen added his personality to the event, while his love song for his new wife was the indeed the perfect serenade. It was a celebration of love that truly embodied their relationship.

Which brings me now to their history, as recounted to me briefly by Harold for this article. They met at a year and a half ago in 2017, at a kickboxing gym where Harold volunteered to help with some of the classes since it was located across the street from his building where he lived. He noticed this pretty, young woman and was naturally drawn to her, giving her extra help with the kickboxing fundamentals, a class which conveniently, and luckily for him, lasted 10 weeks. They started to chat, became friends, and eventually got to know each other better through the sessions, realizing that they shared a lot of things in common as their friendship developed. They seemed to like the same things, even shared a secret desire to live in, of all places, San Diego, California, a random conversation turning into a deeper connection that Harold felt was happening even when it took all of six months before Harold asked Maria for a date. Even then, the careful, guarded Harold, yes the same one that evaded our nomination for two years, made sure that it was a double date, going out with another couple who were his neighbors, so as to make sure they were easing into this new frontier of dating with no expectations. But love being the way it is, comes silently and sometimes all too quickly, and soon their conversations became long and deep, their evenings culminating in wine soirees for two at the building courtyard of Maria’s apartment. This was a charming way for Harold and Maria to carry on an old-fashioned romance where the night started and ended in a public place, much like how black and white romantic pictures started and ended. Soon, Harold had a sense that this was no ordinary girl, and that he had to make an extraordinary move to make Maria his wife. Six months after they were officially dating, he informed his parents, Dr Alfredo and Hilda Sy, of his plans to propose to Maria, and even advised them NOT to be there so as not to add to his nervousness. With the help of Maria’s mom and best friend, Harold planned a casual get-together at the same courtyard they had spent hours conversing, and at the opportune time, with a friend on the ready to photograph the occasion that warm summer evening of June 16, 2018, Dr Harold Sy, bachelor-at-large, dropped down on one knee and asked Maria Starzyk to be his wife. I asked Harold where the pictures were to which he replied “There was a whole lot of unflattering, emotional crying that night… ugly crying” I believe was the term, but those tears translated into one of the most beautiful ceremonies of a couple’s wedding, and from where I was standing as a witness at their ceremony, a love story that they can tell their children and grandchildren for the rest of their lives.

Here is a brief statement from the newlyweds for this column:

Maria and I would like to thank all our family and friends for being a part of our special day. We are so fortunate to have such generous and caring people in our lives. We are so excited to see what the future holds. We want to especially thank our parents for all their love and support throughout the years. Without you, we would not be where we are today. Thank you again to the entire Via Times and Filipino community.

With much love,

Harold and Maria Sy

Footnote: Dr Harold Sy, M.D., is a well-known and highly- regarded ophthalmologist with the Chicago Eye Institute for over 10 years and is proud to say that he is a Filipino physician who values all his patients who seeks his help and expertise Maria Starzyk-Sy is a Nurse Practitioner at the prestigious MedSpa Clinic in Chicago which specializes in beauty aesthetics They also would like to thank the W Hotel and their staff for making sure their wedding event was indeed special and also extends their gratitude,not only to their family and friends, but to the Filipino American community of Chicago for continuing to be their best supporters in both their personal and professional lives.

We feel the same about you Harold and Maria! Congratulations from all of us, and blessings to you both and your families.

Bride and Groom at the Chicago Theater

Dr. Harold Sy and Maria Starzyk on The Roof at The Wit hotel

Bride and Groom at the Riverwalk

Bride and Groom with the parents: Jadwiga Starzyk, Hilda Sy, Dr Alfredo Sy

Bride and groom with guests (standing left to right): Dr. Manny Escalona, Chaz Patron, Dr. Ed Solver, Jhun Patron, Bride and Groom, Hilda Sy, Dr. Alfredo Sy, Arlene Inocencio, Dr. Paul Jurado. (Seated from left to right): Fely, Jurado, Marianette Solver, Dr. Hermes Ayuste, Dr. Ofelia Ayuste, Cynthia Metoyer, Dr. Ben Lamorena, Dr. Ruben Inocencio

Bride and Groom with the fl ower girls (from left to right): Izabella Ziencina, Caitlin McConkey

Bride and Groom with the Family (left to right): Adam Sliwa, Krystyna Sliwa, Jadwiga Starzyk, Maria Starzyk, Dr. Harold Sy, Izabella Ziencina (fl ower girl), Anita Ziencina, and Mark Ziencina

Bride and Groom with Family (standing left to right): Kim Carlson, Steven Heilman, Maria Starzyk, Dr. Harold Sy, Ron Carlson, Nicole and Mikey Zonenashvili. (Seated) Agnes Gamundoy, Norma Ballenas, Jun and Ampy Gamundoy

Bride and Groom with guests (standing from left to right): Rudy Japlit, Letty Japlit, Eva DeLeon, Robert Maroon, Gemma Maroon, Bride and Groom, Dr. Alfredo Sy, Dr. Rolly Sajor, Dr, Rose Gadrinab, Dr. Nelcar Gadrinab, Dr. Manny Escalona. (Seated left to right): Dr. Jose DeLeon, Dr. Oni Yorro, Dr. Zita Yorro, Dr. Nila Sajor, Hilda Sy, Dr. Remy Escalona

Bride and Groom with VIP guests (from left to right): Joe Mauricio, Girlie Pascual, Veronica Leighton, James Delacruz

Bridal Party on the River Walk from left to right: Mark Calayag, Hansel Jereza, Tom Leakakos, Eric Milkereit, George Dakis (best man), groom and bride, Marguerite Reese (matron of honor), Brandi Lautenbach (maid of honor), Susana Galvan, Christine Jereza, Lauren Baechle

Chicago Eye Institute (standing left to right): Dr. David Tresley, Cindy Tresley, Dr. Harold Sy, Maria Starzyk, Dr. Andrew Lewicky, Daria Lewicky (Seated): Dr. Robert Lopez, Dr. Kasia Lopez, Dr. Oswaldo Lopez, Susan Nordstrom-Lopez, Shelley Korey, Dr. Michael Korey