THE secret to making a marriage long-lasting, happy and rewarding to both partners is learning how to tolerate conflict in a relationship.
Like any other couple, Alejandro Dayoc and his wife Erlinda have had their fair share of arguments over everything from housework, to child rearing, to finances.
However, tolerance, coupled with true love and affection, were the main ingredients that allowed the lovely couple from New Corella town in Davao del Norte to weather the storms in their 37 years of matrimony.
"Ang bana ug asawa dili angay maglalis kanunay sa gagmayng butang (Couples should not argue always on petty things)," Alejandro said.
The retired government teacher revealed that as he and Erlinda grow older together they tried to avoid quarreling in favor of a more peaceful relationship.
He bared that early on in their relationship he gave up smoking, alcohol drinking and other vices since they posed a potential flashpoint to marital squabbles. As he put it, he has mastered the art of finding ways to turn his attention away from likely conflicts with his wife, who is also set to retire soon from the teaching service.
His abstinence from vices paid off, as it has not only assured them peaceful, happy home life, but also helped him set aside some savings to make both ends meet, particularly in paying the education of their seven children, who are now all professionals in their respective fields.
Yet, he shared that their act of praying and going to church together as a family tops their recipe for success.
"Mapasalamaton kami sa mga panalangin, mainampoon sa kanunay ug nagasimba matag Domingo (We are always counting our blessings and we also pray and go to church together)," he beamed.
With the triumph of their relationship as a couple impacting on their parenting skills and community life, the provincial government awarded the Dayoc family the Huwarang Pamilya Pilipino 2013 award.
The Dayocs emerged as the final winners out of the four remaining contenders from the municipalities of Braulio E. Dujali, Kapalong and New Corella and from the City of Tagum, including the family of Board Member Vicente Eliot. The search is in line with the celebration of the Family Week on the month of September.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Arlene Semblante said the provincial evaluators found the Dayocs to have excelled in their love and respect for each other and how these were demonstrated within their home, particularly the relationship between the husband and the wife, as well as, between the parents and children, and among the children.
In his message, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario cited the winning, as well as, the other model families in the various local government units, as being worthy of emulation.
He also challenged them to continue leading by example in their respective communities.
"It's not enough to be an awardee, what’s more important is how you sustain your example and ensure to live life to the fullest," he said. (NB)