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Monday, September 11, 2006
Dacawi: Lessons from Noah and his ark
By Ramon Dacawi
Benchwarmer
ACTING Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. drew inspiration from Noah's Ark when he officiated - for the first time - a civil wedding Friday morning in his office.
It was for James Ward, a 53-year old Buddhist from Chicago, and Iris Isla, a 42-year old Universalist and former special education teacher from Sampaloc, Manila.
It's important to plan ahead, as Noah did in building his ark, the 37-year old city executive told the couple.
Ward agreed and said so. He met Iris in a yoga camp in Tagaytay four years ago. Enough time for them to share vibrations and meditations that are the foundations for spiritual stability and bliss - and a life together.
It's important to travel in pairs, as did the couples in the Biblical ship in surviving the stormy floods, the mayor noted.
James and Iris did travel together for years, before moving up to settle here in January 2004. Since then, they've opened up a café at the Munsayac Building along Leonard Wood Road, before the Teachers' Camp. They named it "Bliss Café".
It doesn't matter how fast or slow you are. The snail couple made it to the ark, as did the cheetah.
Professionals built the Titanic (which sunk on its maiden voyage). Noah was an amateur with a heart and soul for what he built.
There will be stormy seas to weather, as Noah and the couples did.
"There will be trouble (to test you), and if there's not a bit between you two, I don't think we're honest here."
When the flood subsided, Noah and the couples saw a beautiful rainbow emerge, the mayor said. Iris and James fondly looked at each other and smiled.
The mayor didn't say anything about the rabbits, which must have multiplied that it took their generations time to disembark.
Iris and James wrapped a bracelet around each other's wrist, as friends and family watched, some clicking digital cameras.
"The bracelet (like the ring) represents commitment of one to the other, to show that they are forever bonded (and banded?) together as one," the mayor said.
"Do you take...?? he asked. Each said yes.
"I'm probably younger than the couple, but as mayor and father of the city, I declare you husband and wife."
The couple kissed. The mayor then signed the document and handed it to James.
"This will take 15 minutes but it will be the most memorable in your life," the mayor said at the start of the ceremony.
The rite actually went for 10 minutes. Short and sweet.
"No lording it over the other, even if there's this Filipino belief that the lady has the last say," the youthful father of the city advised.-e-mail rdacawi@yahoo.com
(September 11, 2006 issue)
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