MY CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin Raul Jamandre Infante and Maricel Montano for having tied the knot during their simple beautiful wedding last September 4, the feast of Our Lady of Consolation, at the San Antonio Abad Church. It was a very beautiful sight to behold seeing to hearts becoming as one before God and the community. Fr. Lou-an Torrefranca was the officiating minister. It was a family reunion. But to top it all, it was also Tito Tony's, the groom's dad, 70th birthday.
It was a simple yet elegant wedding. The ceremony was focused on the couple and not on the peripheries of the altar. The main attraction was not the flowers and the decors but on the couple themselves. This is one of those weddings where there was no contest of pageantry. Everybody came in simple but elegant attire.
The homily of Fr. Torrefranca was to transform this into love. The letter of St. Paul about love was given more meaning. The term love was changed to Raji and Maricel. As you listen, the letter is no longer addressed to any community but to the two who were to become one heart and one soul. It was unique for the Word of God has become a word for the couple.
The family regrouped after the wedding at the reception of the couple's wedding and the birthday of Tito Tony. A reunion of all sorts happened that evening. Stories once again were heard. Love stories of the couple were shared. Smiles and well wishes came from all corners of the hall at Sugarland hotel.
As the night progressed and the program continued, messages from ninongs and ninangs were given. The common message was to bring God into the life of the couple. A reminder was given to all present that we have to live by the standards of God and not of man. We need to put God first in our lives. I guess that was the peg of the evening.
One thing that touched me most is that in the trivia question thrown about where the couple met, the response was that they saw each other in the parish church. This was a relationship blessed by God. Tito Tony and Tita Inday have surrendered all to the power of God. They are first pillars of the Couples for Christ and Gawad Kalinga in Negros Occidental, particularly in La Carlota. So, this explains why Raji and Maricel did not have their first glance elsewhere but in the house of the Lord. I know their relationship is tied by God.
Once again, congratulations Raji and Maricel.
Last September 8, the birthday of Mama Mary, Tito Butch and Tita Clair de los Reyes hosted a birthday party for Mama Mary. Again, it was a simple family gathering with almost all of the de los Reyes clan present. There, we renew friendships and recall stories of our lives. I also met Sir Tito Castillo, Tito Butch's brother-in-law and an alumnus of UNO-R. He shared to us his years at UNO-R and how UNO-R has made him what he is. He is one guy sent by God to be a gift to others. He was a principal at a school in the US and has imparted to a lot of Filipino Americans the real and authentic Filipino values. Seldom, do we find families today who celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Mother. But last September 8 was an occasion to celebrate her birthday. Thanks to Tito Butch and family.
St. Nicolas of Tolentino and St. Ezekiel Moreno, pray for us.