SIX years ago, Bacolod-based journalist Glazyl Jane Marie Masculino found the love of her life unexpectedly, the sweetest surprise she never thought God had prepared for her. It was in 2016, when she met Laurence Jopson, an overseas Filipino worker from EB Magalona town in Negros Occidental. That serendipitous encounter was the start of their magical love story as a couple and eventually as lifetime partners.
Fast forward to 2022, Masculino and Jopson finally tied the knot. They exchanged vows and promised a never-ending love for each other in an intimate civil wedding held at the Bago City Hall on April 27.
With Mayor Nicholas Yulo as the solemnizing officer, the simple yet memorable marriage rites was attended by their family, relatives and closest friends serving as witnesses of how love brought together two individuals from two different worlds.
Masculino was a former reporter of SunStar Bacolod. She currently works as correspondent of Manila Bulletin and reporter of Daily Guardian. Jopson, on the other hand, has just returned home after working for three years in Japan.
The 29-year-old journalist shared that Jopson, who is now 26 years old, was actually her first boyfriend. He made her experience many firsts as a girlfriend, something she thought illusive at first.
“Who would have thought that I, who is hopeless romantic, would actually meet someone like you,” Masculino told Jopson in a message at the wedding reception held at the Business Inn Hotel in Bacolod City.
“I remember the time when I almost embraced the idea of becoming an old maid because I always thought that no one would ever love me. Thanks to Nong Erwin (this writer) for introducing me to you. Honestly, at first, I was really hesitant to give it a try kay basi maasa kag masakitan naman ko (I might expect and be hurt again),” she said, adding that “but, just when I thought I could never love someone, God sent you to me, the very first person whom I never thought would also be the last person I’ll spend my life with.”
Masculino recalled that in the past years, they’ve been through ups and downs. They had their breakup, arguments and cool off moments, but they were able to stand the test of time. Having been in a long distance relationship is not easy, but it probably made us stronger, she said.
“As your wife, I vow to support you through more thriumps or even disasters, to take care of you, to spend everyday of my life with you with faithful commitment,” Masculino further told Jopson, adding that “I pledged to commit myself to our family and the good I know will grow from it.”
In a short but sweet message to her, Jopson said he is also thankful to Masculino coming to his life. “Thankful gid ko na palangga mo ko (I’m really thankful that you love me),” he said.
Jopson continued, “Indi man ko perpekto pero palangga ta gid ka sobra (I am not perfect but my love for you is overflowing). I’m blessed to have you.”
Among the couple’s well-wishers were the groom’s mother, Laura Jopson; the bride’s aunt, Marjorie Cahilig; two of their principal sponsors, Boy Duran and Elenita Nicavera who is also considered as the second mother of Jopson; and Masculino’s friend, Sheila Gelera.
Masculino’s sisters, Christine and Johanna, also expressed their happiness for their older sister. The three have been the source of strength of each other since the passing of their father and mother in 2003 and 2011, respectively.
Other principal sponsors included Cahilig, Antonio Yulo, Carmencita Saliba, Colonel Henry Biñas, Mariano Masculino Jr., Rodolfo Isogon Jr., Gualberto Peñafiel Jr. and Dolores Epacta-Miranda.
Indeed, all of us deserve to love and to be loved. It’s a matter of when love will come so we just have to be patient and hopeful. Masculino waited so long before Jopson came unexpectedly. But certainly, it’s worth the wait.