Erwin and Lalaine's Wedding 2-8-2018

My dear friends, the opening statement in the decision made in the case of People of the Philippines vs. Ruben Takbobo, GR No. 102984, June 30, 1993, is worth mentioning to any couple who wishes to get married. It stated, and I quote, “The nuptial vows which solemnly intone the matrimonial promise of love for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part,’ are sometimes easier said than done, for many a marital union figuratively ends on the reefs of matrimonial shoals.”

Erwin and Lalaine, let this statement makes you aware that a meaningful married life is built on true love. True love is not just a word but an action word. With true love, man and woman do not just make promises rather they do fulfil what they have promised to each other.

Erwin and Lalaine, you know this from your experience. When Erwin asked you Lalaine if you have any boyfriend, you said no despite that you had many suitors. Lalaine, you even tried to discourage Erwin by advising him not to court you. But Erwin was determined and persistent. He sent you flowers by surprise. He befriended your family especially your parents. He cooked the food you loved most. All these are acts of love though he never said a single word that he loves you. Truly, actions speak louder than words when the time came for you Lalaine to decide whether to accept Erwin’s love or not. Though you had not given him any clue, you said it best when you told him to stop courting you. Erwin felt nervous when he heard this from you. He only felt relieved when you told him to stop courting you because you already accepted him as your boyfriend for you love him too.

Now, here you are in this church. Both of you know that the period for courtship has ended. The engagement period has also ended. But your love story does not end during those periods. This is why we are here on your wedding day to witness your public declaration of love. Your wedding marks the beginning of another period in your love story. This time however, your love for each other is measured to a great extent if indeed it is true love. True love is not just a word but an action word. As an action word, the love you have shown to each other from the time you, Erwin started courting Lalaine until you Lalaine accepted the marriage proposal of Erwin must not deteriorate. It is true love if you love each other until death. It is true love if you will never think of divorce or separation because you believe that in marriage your love unites you. It is true love when you say your wedding vows seriously and you mean every word you say. It is true love if you hold the belief that your marriage is willed by God. If you believe that both of you is a gift from God for each other, then no one can stand against your love. In Acts of the Apostles 5:39, it is said, “But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Erwin and Lalaine, you have a beautiful love story. After this wedding, it is up to you with the grace of God how you continue to tell the beauty of your love story. Hopefully, we who are here today can listen again to both of you if the love you have expressed today before God will be the same love you will have in your old age. Erwin and Lalaine, you choose each other among the millions, may you love each other until death. Amen.    

Dawn and Jina's Wedding 1-11-2018

No matter how far the distance between a man and a w0man is, as long as they love each other, it (distance) does not matter. Distance, especially physical distance, is oftentimes considered a problem in a relationship. But for a man and woman who love each other, they know there are also good things that come with distance. One of the good things distance can do to two people who are in love is to show their commitment to their relationship.

Dawn and Jina, now that you are here in front of the altar of the Lord to take each other as husband and wife, whether near or far, be committed to each other. You learn from your experience what it takes to commit oneself for the good of your relationship. Dawn, you work here in the province, while Gina, you are in the Big City. You both know that what makes a relationship difficult is not just about being separated by distance but being separated yet you keep assuring each other how your love does not change. Your long distance relationship has not prospered if you have not been committed to each other.

Dawn and Jina, commitment means to be consistent in showing the love you used to share with each other. Even when everything seems to be difficult, you overcome all the obstacles in your relationship. It is a consistent choice to remind yourself how blessed you are to have someone who loves you and your only option is to love him or her in return.

Dawn and Jina, there are many relationships that end due to distance. They cannot sustain or maintain the love they have for each other. It is difficult for them to remain committed in their relationships. They find their excuse by saying that they are only human. Being human, they have their limitations and imperfections. Their limitations or imperfections affect their expression of love. Their limitations or imperfections affect also their commitment. If there is love, and there is commitment too, what is still lacking why their relationships failed to work? Well, let us go back to the Bible, particularly in 1 John 4: 16-17 that says, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment.”

Dawn and Jina, the secret of a lasting relationship is your love of God. If you truly love each other, then you present each other before God not only on this day of your wedding but at least every Sunday. If this can’t be possible because you are separated by distance, then you can agree to pray together at the same time though both of you are at different places. No matter how far away you are from each other in distance, when you go to the church to pray, you can both find the same God who binds you today in your wedding. When you go to the church to pray, both of you can pray for your beautiful daughter whom God has blessed you. There is no substitute for prayer. It is the Bible that says God is love. So, if you really love each other, you must have a place for God in your relationship. When you stop praying together, you also put an end to your commitment. When you put an end to your commitment, then there is no reason to expect for love anymore.

Dawn and Jina, may your love be strong enough to stand with your commitment to take each other as husband and wife before God today. Amen. 

Sr. Sto. Niño de Kalibo

In the editorial column of Madyaas Pen, Panay’s Reliable Newsweekly, written by Mr. Ernesto T. Solidum, dated June 14, 2013, he asked, “What is the truth about Sto. Niño Festival and Datu Kalantiao?” He started with a very heart-breaking introduction for the Aklanons especially for the Kalibonhons. To quote in verbatim, he stated, “Pres. Ambeth Ocampo of the National Historical Commission six years ago said that based on their exhaustive study, investigation and documentation, the existence of the Barter of Panay and the Kalantiao Code are hoaxes.”

A relative and a neighbour at Rizal Street Kalibo, Aklan, the late Tay Roman A. dela Cruz, who happened to be our local historian and author, of course, came to defend what we used to believe as historic and historical. I could also recall that one of the defenders of our local history at that time was my professor in the College of Law, former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member, Hon. Plaridel Morania. But in their defence, they had no available evidence in their hands. Even the written account about the baptism of the one thousand natives which some Aklanons believe as the origin of the Ati-Atihan festival was put in question.

Now, how are we affected by this historical controversy or controversy about our local history? How are we affected particularly as Kalibonhon? How are we affected also as a Catholic Kalibonhon?

As Kalibonhon, we have lost our contact with our historic past. This culture which we believe we inherited from the past generations, which we maintain in the present and which we shall hand over to the future generation is not true. It is considered a deliberately made-fiction presented as facts. If we follow the National Historical Commission’s discovery and conclusion, it means it is not true that the Barter of Panay is the origin of Kalibo Ati-Atihan. It is fake news!

But as a Catholic Kalibonhon, it does not change anything. Rather, it even boosts our faith. If Kalibo Ati-Atihan did not originate from the Barter of Panay, the direct, natural and logical conclusion is that what we celebrate every third Sunday of January is not a festival but a feast. It is not about the ati but it is all about Jesus, our dear Sto. Niño. It is not just a merry-making and street-dancing, but also a joyful procession because Jesus, our dear Sto. Niño holds our world in His hand. It is not just a cultural heritage because above all, it is a devotion to the Sto. Niño.

This devotion to the Sto. Niño is the origin of our celebration. What is my evidence in saying this? Our devotion to the Sto. Niño is handed to us by our forefathers and foremothers. For my generation and contemporary generations, we used to hear these before: “musyon ma-Sto. Niño kita sa Kalibo and masadsad panaad kita sa Kalibo.” We also heard people shouting, “Viva kay Sr. Sto. Niño!” These are expressions of our devotion to the Sto. Niño. Devotion is a form of worship. It is an expression of faith. Well, this is enough when presented as evidence for those who seek to believe.

Therefore, being a devotion, we should not say our celebration is better than the celebration in Ibajay, in Makato, in Batan, in Altavas, in Malinao and in Naile. Rather, we rejoice that the devotion to our dear Sto. Niño spreads all over our province. Being a devotion, we should not try to compete against the celebration in Cebu or in Iloilo. Rather we rejoice because they too are our co-workers in spreading this devotion to the Sto. Niño. We should not accuse or ask “who copied from whom”, because in Tondo and even outside the Philippines, Aklanons started to share this devotion to the Sto. Niño with the beat of their drums. So we must rejoice because of this development. 

Finally, being a devotion, let us be careful in saying, “this is OUR Sto. Niño". There is now a danger when we put emphasis on the word OUR. Because Sto. Niño is OURS, we tend to celebrate the feast on OUR own way even if it means OUR way is not pleasing to God. Instead of just saying "this is OUR Sto. Niño,"  why not say, "Sto. Niño, let us be Yours". By this, we mean to listen to Sto. Niño telling us WE ARE ALL HIS as He holds our world in the palm of His hand. Because Sto. Niño claims us as His own then we celebrate His feast according to God's way and not on our own way. 

To end, let us rejoice and be merry because Sr. Sto. Niño blesses us!” 

Viva kay Sr. Sto. Niño!