Thoughts on Our Wedding Anniversaries...

December 22, 2015

It's 12:09 A.M. as I am editing this wedding blog. I kept playing the song, "Touch and Go" by Rupert Holmes. I was very inspired.

Happy Wood Wedding Anniversary, sweetie! It's been and will always be an incredibly amazing and meaningful life with you. Thank you for your major, major, major great love, fidelity, support, and all. God has been so extremely good to us. And I continue praying that we will have the chance to grow old together through thick and thin, better and worse times, in health and sickness, for richer and for poorer, till death do us part. I love you so much.

As this very comes to an end, my thoughts are turned to Rupert Holmes’ classic song “Touch and Go.” I deliberately took it as the official theme song of our BIG 5 because the song offered so much inspiration and at the same time a challenge.

Inspiration… because in the face of life’s uncertainties, dangers, risks, chaos, confusions, fears, and all negativities, our love will always be like a thread that will always keep us united, positive, strong, courageous, determined, loyal, faithful, and alive and in love for years to come. Thank God for having planted this seed of love in our hearts. And I know that this love that He planted in us will grow and bear fruit because He will sustain and nurture it with His grace, love and providence every single minute of our married life.

Challenge… because our love can help us transcend our human weakness and form us to be of support and strength for each other in the midst of life’s unfairness and difficulties. Our love will be our “rope that never unwinds” and will keep us from breaking from our falls and leaving each other.

For my shortcomings and inadequacies as a husband, I apologize. I always pray that each day God will make me a good and faithful husband to you. And I never forget to pray for you and our marriage, that we will always become strong and happy couple. Thank you for loving me more than I ever imagine, sweetie.

May God bless us with more happy and meaningful years of married life, a decent house which we earnestly pray, and a baby when the right time comes.

Promise, I'll never touch and go... 

Here's a song dedicated to you on our 5th...

Nobody said that
Life is always fair
Sometimes it clips your wings
While you're in mid-air
But there's a thread
Between your life and mine
And when you're losin' hope
This rope won't unwind

Refrain:
Hold on tight
'Cause life is touch and go
It's sink and swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go

Someday you'll find
There's nothin' in the night
That wasn't there before
You turned out the light
Straight from your mind
The monster 'neath your bed
The voices in the hall
They're all in your head

Refrain:
Hold on tight
'Cause life is touch and go
It's sink and swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go

When you feel lost
You're only spun around
Tumbled and tossed
But never run around
Life is a townful
Of strangers at best
I'll help you home
God help the rest

Refrain:
Hold on tight
'Cause life is touch and go
It's sink and swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call
To break your fall
I'll never leave you
Even when life
Is touch and go
Or hit and run
We'll never break
If we take it as one
I'm here to stay,
I pray you know
I'll never touch
I'll never touch and go

Life is touch and go
It's sink or swim
But never doubt
If you're out on a limb
I'll get the call...

Sing it with me here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns6Hg0lid6Y

December 22, 2014

Happy Silk Wedding Anniversary to us sweetie Jaz today, December 22, 2014. Four years ago, we said our yes to "Forever Yours" as Edward and Bella in our real "twilight" saga, and now praying and hoping that we will have more years to spend this "forever" on earth. I love you so much. Thank you for your patience, understanding, unconditional love, forgiveness and generosity, especially in times when I am in my "vampire" mood, childish tantrums when I have to be the real me. during the good and the worst times of my life, thank you for all your love that made me whole and sane. Your love is like a heroine to me that keeps me alive and full of energy. Te quiero mucho. Happy 4th. 

...and for our loved ones and friends, our maninays and maninoys who are always constantly keeping us in their prayers and helping us in whatever way they can in our marriage, a million thanks to all of you. May God bless you a hundredfold of blessings. Please continue praying for us, for our health, strength, fidelity and faith.

 I've realized that in married life there's no such thing as best recipe or do-it-yourself guide. The couple have to creatively devise solutions at their disposals which will fit and work at that specific and unique moment of their lives... because there's no perfect partner nor marriage after all, no matter how much we try. But by accepting our imperfections, we can grow perfectly together.

‪#‎silkreflections
‪#‎perfectimperfections
‪#‎BIG4

December 22, 2013

The BIG 3 Dinner Date with Bella Jaz De Jesus Madrigal. Thank you sweetie for all the loving care and support for all these years. I have no regrets for saying "I DO" to you three years ago. I will always love you for a thousand years. I will always be your Edward, forever. May God bless our marriage for the years to come. Mwaaaaaahhhh, Happy Leather Wedding Anniversary for both of us.

December 22, 2012

*I was not able to keep the message I posted on Facebook on December 22, 2015. It was supposed to be our Cotton Wedding Anniversary. My wife just told me that I was not in my good mood on that dinner night we had at Bar 21. I just realized that I missed that romantic and historic moment of our wedding anniversary. Anyway, from that moment on, I promised to myself that we should be taking mementos of our wedding dates, may it be lunch, dinner or a movie. 

December 22, 2011

To my ever dearest, loving and lovely spouse, you’re such a wonderful blessing that God has given me. Thank you for your faithful and generous love, care, support and understanding. No one else in this world would give me love, care, support and understanding the way you do. I just don't know what my life would be now without you... and for that, I will always be grateful to you. With you, my life has been so blessed and filled with endless excitement and adventure.

Today, we celebrate our most difficult accomplishment, staying married together for one year.

Happy Paper Wedding Anniversary to both of us Sweetie!

It's already 12:30 am December 23, 2011... just arrived with my sweetheart, enjoying the night together on our Paper Wedding Anniversary! After a sumptuous and very romantic dinner at 21 Bar Resto, we enjoyed the rest of the night at Black Velvet comedy bar. It was so much fun for both of us as we enjoyed the food and the fun at the comedy bar. I never thought we can reach this far... I'm counting more years to be with my ONE and ONLY Bella and Vanilla Twilight... I love you so much sweetie.... and for the many times I fell short of expressing the love that you expected me to show, I'll try my very best to make it up with you... The five glasses of Screwdriver screwed me up as we head off for home. Thank you sweetie for the love and so much fun and adventure with your company...

I just thank the Lord so much for all His blessing for us in our married life for the past year despite the many challenges that we faced together... The Lord has been good to us that's why we celebrate His unfailing love and providence to us. Praise and thanksgiving to You oh Lord, now and always...

Farewell: A Tribute to Fr. Cornelio E. Moral, OAR

May hurubaton kita sa Ingles nga pulong nga nagasiling...  “It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives.”

Amo ini ang pagkabig namon kay Fr. Cornelio Moral nga ginatawag namon sa angga nga “Pads.” Kami sa REED Department, sang nahibalu-an namon ang natabo sa iya, sumugod sadtong na-hospitalize siya, tuman gilayon ang amon pagpangamuyo para sa iya, para nga mag-ayo siya… sumugod sadto, adlaw-adlaw, nagapaabot kami samtang nagahawat-hawat ang amon ginhawa kon ano ang latest update sa iya medical bulletin, kon maghambal nga positibo nga naga-respond siya sa mga bulong- NAGAKABUGTAW ANG AMON PAGLA-UM, pagkasunod naman makabaton naman kami sang balita nga naga-deteriorate na siya, LIWAT NAMAN ANG AMON PAGKASUBO, pero sa gihapon wala untat ang amon pagpanagamuyo, kag nagahulat sang DAKO NGA MIRAKULO, apesar nga nahibalu-an namon kon ano na lamang ka gamay sang tsansa kon ibase sa iya matuod-tuod nga sitwasyon. Tubtob…  nga nabaton namon ang malain nga balita nga nagtaliwan na si Fr. Moral, ini sa pihak nga deep in our hearts wala pa gid namon ginbuy-an ang pagla-um nga TANI… TANI…

 

Yes, we are deeply saddened by his untimely demise. For us in the REED Department, his passing away was a great loss because we’ve lost a very special person, our father, our leader, our friend, our priest.

Apang, sa nasiling na, wala sang kabilinggan kon paano si Fr. Moral napatay, sa baylo, para sa amon, sa aton nga su-od nga nakakilala sa iya, ang iya sini nangin kabuhi bilang matuod-tuod nga Kristiyano kag servant of God, ang iya sini ginpakita nga ehemplo sa aton, amo ang pinaka-importante sa tanan. . . Nangin kaupod namon siya sa sulod sang malapit anum ka tuig- from June 2009 tubtob November 2014 bilang amon director, kag bilang aton Vice President for Religious Affairs.

When we think of Fr. Moral, we simply think of him with so much admiration and gratitude in our hearts. And we thank God for allowing our paths to cross because we are so much touched, blessed, and enriched by his life and his priestly ministry.

Memories

Bangud sang iya kamatayon, indi naton mapunggan ang aton kaugalingon nga dumdumon kag handurawon ang mga panahon nga yari pa siya diri, upod naton… Para sa amon siya isa ka, mapinalanggaon nga Amay.

Pads, ginadumdom mo gid kami sa masami, gina-ulikid kon ano ang makapaayo sa amon. Wala ka nagpabaya sa amon nga mga needs, material man or spiritual. Bilang isa ka amay sang pamilya, gin pabatyag mo gid sa amon ang imo pagpalangga kag pagtatap.

One precious memory we will never forget about you is the pamahaw and pasalubong that you always brought us from your travels. For the first time in our experience in the department, permi lang may madamo nga pagkaon kag bisita sa office. May alupe, muffins, ensaymada, peanuts, pulvoron, ice cream, cake kag kun ano pa nga ginadala mo sa office para sa amon kag sa mga bisita nga imo gina-agda sa pag-ambit. Ang opisina nangin masadya kag masako, especially during your birthday, Christmas kag kon ano pa nga mga special occasions. Sa pagkaon mo ginpa-ambit ang imo amaynon nga pagpalangga kag pagtatap. Happy ka gid kon tanan busog, masadya kag nagatililipon. Bisan sa katapusan nga tion, wala ka gid nalipat nga baklan kami sang pasalubong kigan sa Cebu.

We will never forget our thanksgiving lunch sa Bobs pagkatapos sang Solidarity Day kag Catholic Faith Festival. Kada tuig sugod nangin director ka namon, wala untat ang aton summer outings para matagaan mo kami chance nga maka-unwind, makabonding kag maupod hampang sang “redog” until mapierde mo kami tanan. Pero ang kahalam-utan, ikaw man gahatag sang capital para makahampang ang tanan. Indi ko gid malipatan ang Hinobaan kag Cayauan outing naton  nga daw malipong na kami sang katuyo, galing nahuya kami maghambal nga mauntat na ta hampang pusoy, kay nakita namon nga nasadyahan ka gid basta upod ta hampang. You’re one last wish is to go back to Happy Valley Beach in Hinobaan for our summer outing this year kag kabalo gid ko may pusoy kag redog naman. Pero sige lang… ang ginkadtu-an mo subong amo na ang matuod-tuod nga FOREVER HAPPY VALLEY… IN HEAVEN NA…

For us faculty, your presence is an assurance that somebody is there to fight, defend and protect us, an inspiration to boost our morale and bring out the best in us, and a light to guide us in the ministry… Sa kalipay kag kasubo, sa kadalag-ag kag kalutusan, ara ka gid sa pag-upod sa amon…

Bisan sa bahin sang aton mga student assistants, wala mo gid sila ginakalimtan… nakit-an man namon ang imo special concern para sa ila. Amo ini ang rason nga bisan wala na diri sila, liwat sila nga nagabalik agud magpakigbahin sa aton pagtililipon, sa aton mga outings… ini bangud nga ginpabatyag mo sa ila nga kabahin sila sang aton pamilya, indi lamang bilang mga working students. . sa masami, ikaw ang nagapamuno sa paghimo sang inisyatibo agud aton sila mabuligan. Madumduman ko kon paano mo ginbuligan si Karen, sa iya mga kinahanglanon sa iya pag-graduate sadto… si Mark- kon paano mo ginbuligan kag ginpakigbato nga maka-enroll siya tani Education subjects… kag TANAN nga mga material assistance nga ginhatag mo sa ila tanan on top of your fatherly affection.

Ang imo sini paternal affection nabatyagan man sang mga kabataan sang amon mga colleagues sa REED Department… Daw kaangay nga nangin mapinalangga-on ikaw nga LOLO para sa ila… nasadyahan ka mag-upod sa ila… Makit-an namon ang imo matam-is nga pagyuhom kag pagkadlaw sa ti-on nga sunlugon mo sanday Maris, Marielle, Josh, Weng-weng, ang imo apo nga si Jivo, kag sa tanan nga mga kabataan nga nagabisita sa aton opisina. Their company is simply heaven for you, making you feel more energetic.

 Samtang, para sa amon, nangin maayo ikaw nga lider…

A Firm yet Compassionate Leader

You always expect us to be punctual and prepared in all activities of the department and the University.

Paano namon malimtan nga sa masami, ikaw ang una-una nga naga-abot sa tagsa ka aktibidad nga aton ginpang-organize… “INDI PWEDE MALATE!”

You expect us to accomplish our tasks with prompt and excellence, to be always present in the monthly meetings, to be conscious of the spiritual welfare of our students, to respond to the needs of the Church, especially of the Diocese… Kaangay sang isa ka amay, yara ka sa pagpahanumdom kag pagtadlong sa amon sa ti-on nga nangin hawot-hawot kami sa pagtuman sang amon mga responsibilidad sa tagsa namon ka hilikuton…

Sa pihak sang amon mga kapaltahan, nangin bukas ikaw gihapon sa pag-intiende kag pagpatawad sa amon… apang, kon nangin madinalag-on kami sa amon mga ginpanghimo, amon man gilayon mabati-an ang imo wala-untat nga pagdayaw sa amon…  

Fr. Moral, we will surely miss the scent of your presence… ang imo pinasahi nga baho, senyales sang imo pag-abot… Pads, ma-miss namon ang imo yuhom, ang imo jokes, ang imo tingog nga naga-alingawngaw sa apat ka pamusod sang aton opisina, nga daw kaangay sang marching orders gikan sa langit nga nagserbe bilang guide sa amon hamili nga bokasyon, ang amon teaching ministry.

As a leader, you walked with us and always led us by your example… always available to support, very hands-on, efficient… Sa imo kapisan, napabay-an mo gid ang imo kaugalingon nga halungan kag tatapon.

 Bilang isa ka alagad sang Diyos, bilang isa ka pari, makabig ikaw nga isa ka…

Passionate Recollect Priest

Your knowledge, love and commitment to the Order is remarkably admirable. You never missed to keep us abreast of the local and global concerns and activities of the Order, from the mission in Africa, to the revitalization of the Order, to the REAP evangelization programs, to the feast days of the saints of the Order, religious professions and sacerdotal anniversaries… You love to talk about anything Recollect… from history to spirituality but most importantly for us you embodied the animo Rekoleto. 

We see in you, Fr. Moral, the ideal Recollect priest. Ideal ka, bangud nakita namon sa imo ang isa ka modelo nga Recollect priest who passionately loves God, a faithful son of the Church whose outstanding knowledge of the Church’s teachings passed on to us the sound Catholic doctrine and practices. You love the community, your priestly ministry. You are an ardent lover of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You pray a lot.  Bisan ano ka sako, you never forget to pray with your breviary even in our outings, to say Mass and to pray the Rosary.

I think if there is one Filipino Recollect priest who is as visible and involved in all aspects of our academic and spiritual life here in UNO-R that would be you, Father.

In anticipation of your 40^th sacerdotal anniversary, God has graced you to celebrate your priesthood in heaven with Him at His table in the company of your holy brother priests.

 Gratitude

Dre, there will not be enough words to express our deep love, respect, and appreciation for all the things you shared with us. But still we say one last time, thank you… MADAMO GID NGA SALAMAT…

Thank you for your love. Thank you for your concern. Thank you for the inspiring life you shared with us which strengthened our faith in God, our prayer life, our love for the teaching ministry, our commitment to service, our love for the community. May your integrity and legacy continue to inspire us all as we work in the vineyard of the Lord, in the ministry of evangelization which you fervently devoted your life.  

On a very personal note, gusto ko lang pasalamatan ang imo bug-os nga suporta sa akon ilabi na gid sa akon graduate studies, tungod sa imo natapus ko ang akon Masteral, kag sa karon naman ang akon doctoral studies which I want to dedicate it to you kay amo ini ang imo na namian nga topiko: ang nahanungod sa GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES, nga sa makapila ka beses nangin kabahin ikaw as critic and consultant sang akon paper. Siguro kon buhi ka pa, you’ll be proud of this. Ang akon katapusan nga hingyo sa imo nga pirmahan mo ang faculty development request ko, gin-grant mo gid dayon bisan ato ka pa sa Cebu, ginpapirmahan mo lang sa office kay Nang Belen kay hambal mo indi ka pa makabalik tungod kay may bagyo… diri ko gid nabatyagan kag napamatud-an ang pag-ulikid mo gihapon sa akon bilang isa ka amay… Pads, tani updanay ta to sa Cebu, ugaling kay ginpasugtan mo ako nga magpabilin agud mahikot ko ang akon mga buluhaton after sang akon pre-oral defense. 

Pads, isa pa gid sang indi ko malimtan kag ginapasalamatan ko sa imo, since pareho ta birthday, June 15, ginalibre mo ako pirmi sa pamahaw, indi na ko maghanda, kay sa imo pa lang handa, damo na… ina sa sulod gid sang anum ka tuig. Ti, sumugod sa dason nga tuig, sa aton naman liwat birthday, ako na mahanda para sa aton nga duha para sadya gihapon, kag bilang pagdumdom namon sang imo birth anniversary. PROMISE KO NA SA IMO.

Kag sa katapusan, bangud man sa imo, nakapensar ako nga magpangasawa na kay masami mo ako ginahambalan, ti, Dens, san-o ka pa ya mangasawa? Ti, natabo gid, nakibot ka na lang sang ginhatagan ko ikaw wedding invitation. Salamat gid kay ara ka gid sadtong adlaw sang kasal ko, sa paghatag sang blessing sa amon ni Bombo Jaz.

Dre, ka dako gid sang imo bahin sa akon kabuhi kay nangin dako ikaw nga inspirasyon sa akon,  nakita ko ang akon kaugalingon sa imo. Ang akon dako nga pagtahod kag pagrespeto sa imo… ang akon pagpalangga sa imo magapabilin.  

Goodbye

The famous Helen Keller once said, "What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes part of us." 

Father, it’s farewell for now. By death, you may be physically away from us, from our sight but by that special love we have for you in our hearts, you are and will always be ever present to all of us.

Now, we can be assured that someone beyond us is watching over us and prays for us.

PADS, MADAMO GID NGA SALAMAT…  TUBTOB SA ATON LIWAT NGA PAGKIT-ANAY.