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Monday, February 03, 2003
A romantic 'ferry tale' remains strong through the years
By Eleonor P. Berondo and Bing Alcalde
The Union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy.
Captain Rolando and Ma. Grace Ormas retake their vows for their silver wedding this day, February 01, 2003 in Sto. Niño de Arevalo Church with Msgr. Angel Lagdameo as the main celebrant.
They have been married for twenty five years and yet they are oblivious of everything and still caught up with each other. From the smiles on their faces, one would say that both are very much contented with their marriage. In each other's eyes, they never age and both feel that everything seems to be only yesterday.
Their meeting was one sweet "ferry tale." They met in a ship through Ma. Grace's cousin who was Rolando's classmate. Both of them were seventeen then. He pursued her for two year years and became sweethearts for seven years before they finally tied the knot. They were blest with three children namely: Maerrol (now married to Jhunjee Francis Cañada), Karl John and Johanna Mae.
All of their children are very much successful in their field of endeavor because of the love and support given by the couple. Since both parents are achievers, the children inspired to follow their footsteps.
A lot of people have admired the coupled and here are the reason why their marriage is strong after all these years.
* Do you think having long engagement helped you to have a very strong marriage?
*
Rolando: Yes. We were sweethearts for seven years and got familiar with each other. We know each other too well, that made us sure that we married the right person. It was easy for us to deal with each other's hang-ups.
Grace: Long engagements are hardly practiced these days, but we really think it was a big help in making our marriage last.
* Did you have insecurities at the first stage of your marriage? What problems did you usually encounter?
*
Rolando: You can't do away with that. Some of our friends link me with other girls, there would always be a lot of teasing. My wife sometimes get affected with the stories. That makes our marriage sweet and stronger. I really didn't have insecurities for my wife she knows she's the only woman in my life. Besides, I always assure her that my eyes are only set on her. (laughs!) Sometimes she's very moody. Maybe because of her profession. She deals a lot with her students. Sometimes she deals with me as if I'm one of her students, too! (laughs!) My wife possesses a very strong personality. Very dominant at that. I'm also a dominant person since I give a lot of orders with my subordinates. We have a clash of character sometimes. But someone has to give way. We have to remind each other I'm still the father of the house. She fills the role of being the father that sometimes she forgets I'm already home. (laughs!)
Grace: No, I won't really call it insecurities. I know my husband loves me so much. He's the only man in my life. We're a match.
* How did you cope with it?
*
Rolando: We talk things out. Having good friends helps us through it. We don't sleep over quarrels or misunderstandings, we settle it. Nobody sleeps until we ironed things out.
Grace: Coping is really easy when you know your partner too well.
* Do you believe that marriage should be a never-ending courtship?
*
Rolando: I agree. The courtship must always be there. Being thoughtful is part of it. In my case, I always call her. I assure her that I love her very much. I still bring her gifts and take her out on dinner dates, things we used to do when we were sweethearts.
Grace: Communication is really important. It's not really a problem these days with all the technologies we have. I always miss him, so I always check on him. I want my husband to be always beside me. (laughs!)
* What are the things you love about your wife?
*
Rolando: There are a lot of things I love about her. She's intelligent and understanding. She's very thoughtful. She takes good care of me and our children.
Grace: His patience and perseverance has kept me fall in love with him all these years. He really waited for me until I finished my studies. I was a very ambitious woman and an achiever. There was so much I have to achieve. He was there, waiting for me until I've reached all my dreams. And of course, because he's intelligent. I swore to marry only the man whom I think deserves me. He's my match.
* What is it about your mate that you don't understand, but can't live without?
*
Rolando: She's too clingy. She always wants me to be with her wherever she goes.(laughs!) She loves me too much. Sometimes I have to ask her to be away from each other for a few moments, minutes later she would check on me. But to me, that is really sweet.
Grace: I always miss him, what can I do? (laughs!) We always go out together.
* What are the things that you're grateful for your mate?
*
Rolando: I'm grateful for my wife, because she's a good housewife, a good mother to our children. I think the key in the success of our children is their mother and the way she takes care of them. As a result, my children do well in their studies. I'm away most of the time. If my wife doesn't have a very strong personality, everything would never turn out well. Being a single parent is not easy. It's hard to fill up two responsibilities at the same time. But my wife managed to deal with it and I'm very much grateful for it.
Grace: I'm grateful for all those patience he has given me all these years. For sacrificing so much, he has to be away with us to provide everything we need and to give the children a better future.
* What is your worst fear?
*
Rolando: Losing my wife. It's hard to fill her shoes. I don't know if I can do what she does.
Grace: I don't fear anything. I believe that everything that comes our way is God's plan.
* What should a couple do in order for their marriage to work?
*
Rolando: Love, trust and respect makes the relationship stronger.
Grace: The marriage should be Christ-centered.
Ma. Grace P. Ormas is currently the principal of midwifery department in Iloilo Doctors'College and Capt. Rolando G. Ormas is the Master Mariner ofMagsaysay Maritime Corporation and has been an active ship captain for fourteen years.
The couple is active on different civic and religious activities. According to Mrs. Grace Ormas, they have prepared their silver wedding anniversary celebration for a year and will forgo their plans for a vacation abroad afterwards. They emphasized that guests would rather give cash gifts instead of packed gifts because we wanted to donate the cash for the building construction of the Nursing Home for sick priests. "We enjoy life, putting God first as the center of our lives. We consider our children as our friends and we let them feel very important. We tell our children: you are our treasures." Mrs. Grace Ormas added.
Their vows to each other is to love, trust and respect one another with God as their center.
Loving is about understanding each other, listening, supporting and having fun with each other. It's all about caring for the person you love, without changing, dominating nor deceiving. Rolando and Grace are one of the model couples on successful marriage, making each day-- their wedding day. They are just ordinary people who inspire others that married life is indeed sweet.
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