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Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Art couples transcend Valentine
By Ritchie Landis Doner Quijano
Two artist couples, each with three children, share different views on love but common to both is the veering away from the commercial aspects of Valentine’s day.
To them, the declaration of their undying love for each other wasn’t made only on Valentine’s. And that happens everyday. Another thing they share is that to them, Valentine’s day is no longer a big deal because when both couples were asked what their plans were for the love day, their answers were a unanimous “Wa!” (None).
Fred and Gigi Galan have been married for 23 years. Past Valentines were spent with the kids going out to see a movie and having dinner. Fred doesn’t give Gigi flowers because their kids buy those for them on Valentine’s. The couple first met at Velez College when Gigi was taking up nursing. She was 20 and Fred was 13 years older.
Once, Fred waited for the boat Gigi was arriving on, from Iligan, her hometown. He almost missed her because “wa ko kaila niya” (I didn’t recognize her). “Nagsugod sa wrong number,” said Fred. Gigi made a wrong number call to Fred but it wasn’t Fred who answered until the phone was passed on to him and that was their first talk.
From then on Fred must have allowed Gigi to dial that same wrong number everyday.
As a husband Fred is not the kind who showers his partner with gifts although a long time ago he had given Gigi a Snoopy poster and a Talisay scene painting but never made her a portrait because he does not do this sort of stuff as an artist. But Fred has this to say, “mangayo kug kwarta para ipalit ug gift pero di ko kahatag kay di ko tagaan ni Gigi”. On the other hand, Gigi sends love notes to Fred and has gifted him with shoes.
They said that their most memorable encounter or realization of what true love is was when they met Jesus Christ and declared him as their personal Lord and Saviour. And adds that the most precious gift they have for each other are their three kids Katrina Anne, Alessandre and Maria Paola.
Celso Pepito and Fe Madrid are also not very particular about Valentine’s because to them that day should be everyday and partnership is forever. They have been married for 19 years and are blessed with three children, Daryl, Karen and Von Ryan. They also have no plans for Friday. Fe has stopped giving Celso gifts because he doesn’t use them like the gold necklace, bracelet and ring she gave him in the past. But a memorable present Celso recalled was when he received a guitar because Fe knows he likes composing songs for her. “Kay hilig man ko magcompose sige hinuon ug kanta,” says Celso. They never went on dates on Valentine’s. “Wa gyud” tells Fe. And sometimes they do quarrel but never for financial reasons. Fe gets jealous because oftentimes Celso gets very busy and no longer finds time to attend to the family. “More time sa friends sobra ka buotan sa mga amigo,” asserts Fe. As their memorable night, both recalled the time when they were given by a hotel owner who happened to be a close friend a one-night stay at Montebello.
Both couples shun the cliché of Valentine’s. Perhaps for them, the day is only for those who have started on the road to loving.
(February 11, 2003 issue)
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