Couple proves ‘age doesn’t matter’

CEBU, Philippines - Pedro Gabinay and Marrisa Podador could not believe they were walking down the aisle in their wedding outfits.

Proving that age doesn’t truly matter, Gabinay, 67, and Podador, 39, were among 41 couples who finally tied the knot in a mass wedding at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday.

“Nagsugod mi nga (we started as) textmates,” Podador said. Pedro knew of her cellphone number when it was published on Banat News, the sister publication of The FREEMAN.

That year after, the Bohol native Podador decided to meet Pedro in person during the feast of Sr. Sto. Niño in Cebu.

“Buotan siya, mang-giloy-on, pinangga ko niya (He is good natured, compassionate and loves me),” Podador described Gabinay with fondness.

The couple had been living together since 2008 in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

“Sa pirmero namong puyo, pirmi mi mag-away kay iyang mga anak wala nakagusto nako. Lisod gyud pero nagkadugay nadawat ra man ko sa iyang mga anak (At first, we had frequent arguments because his family did not like me but they soon accepted me eventually),” she said.

Pedro has 10 children with his first wife while Marissa has two. Together, both have been blessed with two children.

“Nakabasa ko sa FREEMAN, nakadesisyon ko moapil kay para pud mabendisyonan ang among pagkuyog, para pud sa among mga anak. Nalipay pud mi kaayo ni Sir Dodong,” Podador said.

Podador was referring to Jose “Dodong” Gullas, founder of JRG Halad Foundation which sponsored yesterday’s mass wedding. Incidentally, Gullas is also the chairman of The FREEMAN.

According to Khris Mejarito, head of the working committee for the wedding, they started with the preparations in October last year.

Mejarito said this was the third year that the foundation has sponsored a similar event.

“This event is for those living together for more than three years without the blessing of the priest,” Mejarito said.

However, one of the exceptions yesterday was the couple Amanda Geniston and Leopoldo Geniston, who are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary this year.

They got married last January 20, 1990. The couple is blessed with one child and two grandchildren.

“Abi nako dili madawat kay para unta ni siya sa mga wala’y kasal, pero ni-try lang ko (I thought we won’t qualify but I tried and was accommodated),” Leopoldo said.

Leopoldo shared that their life as couple was not easy since they had gone through a lot of fights, trials and even break-ups.

“Hunahunaon namo among anak. Ang laki man gyud na ang mouna, bisa’g wala koy sala, angkunon na lang nako ang sala. Magpahiubos gyud ka, sinab-tanay lang pud kay lisod kun magbuwag kay naa baya mo’y gipanumpaan,” Leopoldo said. — (FREEMAN)