Sa totoo lang, tatlong kasalan pa lang ang napuntahan ko, at sa tatlong pagkakataong iyon, wala pa akong camera kaya't ang litratong ilalahok ko ngayon ay hindi ko kununan, at ini-scan ko lang mula sa mga litratong narito sa bahay.

Kuha ito noong ika-21 ng Enero, taon 1978, sa simbahan ng Immaculate Heart of Mary sa UP Village, noong unang beses magpakasal ang aking mga magulang. Magkasintahan sila ng mahigit isang taon bago nagpakasal, at base sa mga kwento ng nasira kong ama, wala naman talagang pormal na ligawan sa pagitan nila. Maging ang desisyon na magpakasal ay wala ring pormal na proposal. Ang sabi ng aking ama, niyaya lang niyang pumunta sa City Hall ang aking ina at pumayag naman ito. Ngiti lamang ang sagot ng aking ina, kaya marahil totoo nga. =) Buhat sa parehong mahirap na pamilya, sila mismo ang gumastos para sa kasalang ito, kaya't nagsimula silang talagang kapos na kapos. Sa gabay ng Poong Maykapal, nakaahon naman sila.

Nagpakasal silang muli noong ika-25 anibersaryo noong taong 2003. Naputol ang kanilang pagsasama ng pumanaw ang aking ama mga isang taon na ang nakakalipas, pero ang lahat ay maayos naman. Sa ngayon, wala akong hinahangad kundi makahanap ng mapapangasawang katulad ng aking ama. Masaya akong mapabilang sa isang buong pamilya na mahal at ginagalang ang bawat isa.

English Translation:

Truth be told, I've only been in a wedding thrice, and in those instances, I still didn't own a camera, so what I am sharing is something I just scanned from our photos here in the house.

This picture was taken 21 January 1978, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in UP Village, the first time my parents got married. They were together for and a half year before they got married, and based from my late father's stories, there were no formal courtship between them. There wasn't even a formal marriage proposal from my father - he just asked mom if she wants to go to the City Hall and my mom just agreed. They were both from poor families, so they financed the wedding themselves (no help from either families). That is why they started from rock bottom the soon they became husband and wife. By the grace of God, they were able to overcome all obstacles.

They got married again on their 25th wedding anniversary in year 2003. Their marriage was halted when dad died over a year ago, but all is doing very okay with us, thank God. Right now, I am just hoping I could meet a man who's just like my dad. I am happy to be a part of this family.

*** Jenn ***