IN what appears to be another classic proof that there’s really what people belonging to the millennial age refer to as “forever,” lovers from a distant past who were forcibly separated by their parents met again to re-live their romance to officially become husband and wife.
Taking cue from the story shared by Lolo Boy and Mommy Jane, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula, who administered their civil union went outside his comfort zone and used his personal social media account to post what seemed to be more of a sentimental journey of two persons he aptly referred to as MFEO – or “Meant For Each Other.”
Gacula said that he was fascinated by the story of the not-so-late bloomers.
He recalls having approached the couple after administering a mass wedding of nine pairs at the Taytay Municipal Hall.
“Ang totoo, naintriga ako sa kanila. Sa siyam na pares na ikinasal ko, tanging sila ang masasabi kong medyo interesting. Pareho silang mga senior citizens. Si Lolo ay naka-wheelchair dahil sa kaniyang health complications at si Mommy naman ay medyo malakas pa,” said Gacula, who admitted having found a stronger drive to keep his family in tight knit.
With an extremely busy daily schedule, Gacula cited the need for couples to “keep the fire burning” by regularly spending time together – “Bonding ika nga, para mapatibay ang samahan.”
According to the local chief executive, it was the first time that he has encountered what he categorically referred to as “forever.”
Citing the narration of the newly-weds, Gacula said that Lolo Boy and Mommy Jane were lovers 45 years ago, forcibly separated by their parents who have other choices as their partners. To cut the long story short, they got to marry the persons whom their parents paired them with.
More of like an “arranged marriage.”
“Eto ang tunay na Forever… Nagpakasal sa akin si Lolo Boy at si Mommy Jane. Dati pala silang mga childhood sweethearts pero pilit silang pinaghiwalay ng kanilang mga magulang dahil may ibang gusto ang mga parents para sa kanila. Sa probinsiya sila galing at nagkaroon ng mga sariling buhay at pamilya. Ngunit sa paglipas ng panahon at pagkakalayo ni Lolo sa mga malalayong lugar na destination niya sa trabaho ay di nawala ang pagmamahal sa puso nila. Walang komunikasyon sa mahigit 45 years na magka walay.”
By some twist of fate, their partners died of natural causes – and met after 45 long years in a place and time which doesn’t seem likely for people of their age. They met again on Facebook.
“Naging Balo at Biyuda ang dalawa at nag-focus sa kanilang mga anak at pamilya. Noong mga nag sarili na ang anak nila ay namuhay silang malungkot at nag iisa. Ito ang nagbunsod sa kanila na hanapin ang isa’t isa sa tulong ng social media at pag tawag sa mga kaibigan at kamag anak sa kanilang probinsya hanggang matagpuan nila ang isa’t isa at malaman na pareho na silang nag-iisa sa buhay.”
It was then, Gacula added, that Lolo Boy and Mommy Jane started chatting and video calling, which somehow sparked that fire between them once again.
“Nanumbalik ang dati nilang pagmamahalan at naganap ang pangarap nila noong sila ay mga bata pa. Nasabi nila sa akin na parang sila ay iginuhit ng tadhana na magkasama muli,” a melodramatic Gacula said in his post.
At their age, Lolo Boy and Mommy Jane admit that being reunited after 45 long years may no longer allow them to raise kids of their own. But they are bent on reuniting their children to form what to them would become a bigger family. “Sabi nga nila — the more, the merrier. Dalangin namin sa Diyos na bigyan pa kami ng panahon upang masulit ang aming naantalang love story bilang mag-asawa na.”
As for the mayor, he has this to say: “Ang natutunan ko dito ay pag kayo ay itinakda para sa isa’t isa at magkakaroon ng mga opportunity para muli kayong magkasama.”