In God's Plan Aina & Paul Hubahib's silver event

Rosa Edna – Aina to most of us  was born on August 30, 1960, the second of seven children of the late Constantino Marquez Lucero of Argao, Cebu, and Edna Celiz Luna of Iloilo City. Aina got a baccalaureate degree in Applied Mathematics from UP-Los Baños (1980), and finished an MBA in Public Management from UP-Cebu College (1992). In 2008, Aina got a diploma in Special Education from St. Theresa’s College.

Paul was born on July 23, 1948, one of the five children of Marcelo Villarino Hubahib of Bantayan Island, Cebu, and Mary Gullas of Cebu City. He is a product of the University of San Carlos (USC-BHS 1965) where he graduated from a Civil Engineering course in 1970. Paul finished an MBA in Public Management from UP-Cebu College in 1989. His impressive career spanned from being rotation supervisor, lab technician engineer (PHILROCK), to project engineer/liaison officer (Eli Hubahib Construction, 1972 - 1980), then becoming chief of infrastructure division (NEDA Regional Office, 1980 - 1990), liaison officer/head of corporate relations (VECO, 1990 – 2009). Paul is currently the Consultant on Power & Water Utilities of Cebu Province; on Water & Power Utilities and Community Relations of Cebu City.

Aina joined NEDA soon after college graduation in May 1980; Paul also joined NEDA in July. According to Paul, NEDA Regional Executive Director Rey Crystal initially played cupid to their relationship. “I was attracted to her after I first laid eyes on her,” Paul sheepishly admitted. “But it was an eyes-to-eyes kind of thing between us.”

“It was R.E.Dir. Crystal who played cupid ever since. Paul did not court me right away. In early 1985, he went to London for foreign training (Bradford University under the Colombo Plan) and that was when he wrote me a letter, which I answered. He came back bringing a necklace of pressed flowers for me. Then he started showing his intentions. He proposed marriage that November,’’ Aina looked back.

“She was the only one who wrote to me, aside from my mother, when I was in UK,” Paul pointed out. “Our first date was at the Metro Cebu Pop Music in June, 1985. Then, I introduced her to my family, and proposed to her while we were walking along Pelaez Extension in November.”

They got married in the EDSA Year of 1986, on May 17. Among the wedding sponsors were then Governor Eddie Gullas, Cebu City Mayor Yoyong Borres, Leonilo Mansueto, The FREEMAN Editor-in-chief Juanito Jabat, Engr. Eli Hubahib; Mrs. Ondette Crystal, Mrs.Gigi Davide, Mrs. Mediong Yap, Mrs. Naring Hubahib-Casino, Dr. Clara Lucero.

Paul and Aina have four sons: Paul Christian called “Putch” who has a B.S. Computer Engineering degree from USC and, at 24, is a Systems Designer of ACCENTURE. Jose Angelo Vicente called “”Vince” is a Nursing graduate of USC and, at 23, works at CONVERGYS. Michael Francis at 21 just graduated from Nursing at Cebu Doctors’ University. Youngest son Keith Nicholas called “Keino,” at 13, is a 1st year High School student of MZED Christian School.

In the 10 years that they worked in NEDA, Paul remembered that Aina and he were both involved in developing various regional projects. In 1993, the Hubahib couple joined Couples for Christ where they became Provincial Couple Coordinators (until 1998). They are shepherds in the Kids for Christ Service, and Servant Leaders in the Gawad Kalinga Project (2000 to date).

Twenty-five years later, still in love and bonded in Christian union, Paul and Aina celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary in an intimate lunch among close friends and relatives at Elizabeth Hotel. The guests were a mix high school classmates and friends, NEDA colleagues “who bear witness to our relationship,” close friends from work and church organizations who have become like family members, family and siblings of the Lucero and Hubahib clans “who were around during the most beautiful and the most trying moments in our lives,” Aina intimated.

Both are aware of the Lord’s Hand in their intertwined lives. They are ever thankful of numerous blessings, the greatest of which is their enduring marriage. In this age of disposables and instant gratification, it is ennobling to witness a silver wedding anniversary celebration.

When asked the secret to their success as a couple, Aina shared: “Two people come together in marriage for a purpose – to raise a family. The couple must focus on nurturing their children to the fullest so that they develop to be the gifts God meant them to be. Marriage needs ‘tough love,’ even if it hurts at times, to keep the family bond strong. And remember to lean on friends, they can be a lifeline in the most unexpected moments. Don’t be afraid to seek support also from family and always have faith centered in God.”

She shares simple, familiar and truly effective albeit hard lines to follow in the daily struggle for existence. Nonetheless, it is good to be reminded of them once in a while.