You'll never guess who conspired to produce this!
My parents lived in the same community but did not see each other as youths. My father was a budding athlete who was so good in basketball that he was always chosen as captain. In Paranaque, every summer, a basketball league was promoted where the contestants came from different "puroks" or zones. Every team should have a muse. It was a selection that needed the close scrutiny of the team members. My father's team-- Purok 5, had somebody in mind but my father vehemently rejected this prospective muse. He just did not like this girl to be the team's muse. A deliberation ensued and much to his chagrin, this girl was selected as the muse by majority vote. On the day of the parade, Purok 5 did not have any muse to boast because their muse was still in the parlor. she came very late but managed to grace the last minute presentation of the game. It was here that my father realized his mistake for he was immediately smitten by the muse. Of course, the girl is our Mom.
Many people of today would probably smirk or laugh if they would hear how the courtship of this couple came about. For seven long years, they depended so much on the mutual love that they were having and used it to instigate further inspirations and idealism in their young lives. The farthest thing my father could do to her was just to hold hands. There was a tremendous amount of respect between them.
Their wedding was beautiful. It was captured by a movie camera for all the children to see. Looking at the screen, it was evident that she was a very lovely bride. She wore an Aureo Alonzo gown made of native indigenous material. She carried a beautiful bouquet of Sampaguita which had three extended flowered cords that were carried each by the flower girls. How slim she looked and so unaware. Her innocence radiated through her shy smiles. My father? He must have been the happiest bridegroom on earth judging by his reactions on the screen.
My mother had lived a relatively simple life before she got married and she never imagined that her wedded life would be a very colorful one. My parents love each other. My father would always get out of his way to please my Mom. My Mother never asked for so much but my father would give more than my mother would expect. It can sometimes be amazing that these two people have never really left their courtship days. He is forever courting my Mother and my mother tries to keep the dews on the roses by her own simple techniques. They may have had some tiffs but they are just small and negligible. My father gives; my mother serves.
25 long years have gone and passed
through our lives but the intensity of their romance
is still there. My mom might have lost a little in her
battle with the bulges but my father sees her as if she was
still the beautiful seventeener who was approached
by the Paranaque Lions to
represent Paranaque in the Miss Philippines tilt.
(Of course, her father objected). To this day,
I have never seen my father get angry to her. On occasions
that my mom could be wrong, my father would just remain quiet and
wait until she sees the light. My father and mother
respect each other. My mom would hang on to whatever
he is saying. If it is a joke, she is the
first one to see the humor. If it is an advice,
she follows it. If it is an admonition, she
accepts it.
My mom beautifies herself not for the people around but for my father only. If he approves her appearance, then her night is made. My Father, on the other hand, would light up like an incandescent bulb when he sees Mom in her prettiest.
When Mom put up a bake shop, my father was her very first supporter. My father knew it was not necessary but he respected my mom's desire to grow on her own. Perhaps it is this streak of independence that makes him love her more. In all of my mother's fight in life, my father was always behind her. He never left her for a single moment. My mom wants to excel on her own so that her husband can be proud of her.
Looking at them is witnessing a Christian marriage. The most important milestone that my parents ever encounter is their spiritual reawakening. On these last few years, my mom has become more inclined with the spiritual so that she has become more prayerful. She has become closer to God and has tried to influence the people around her. Her first recruit is our father. Today, the bond that has tied them, even firmer is the love for God. They have become lay ministers that propagate the word of God. According to Mom, make God the center of your universe and everything else will become all right to you.
The message that our mom has inculcated in our minds will be a part of our lives forever. The good examples that our parents have created for us will be a golden legacy that we shall entrust down to our descendants.
Happy Silver Wedding Anniversary, Lovebirds,
wherever in Europe you may be!