No renewal of vows needed since original vows never expired.’ –– Willie and Ofie Soliven
Just recently, I received a note from my in-laws Papa Willie and Mommy Ofie Soliven. They wrote: “We’re marking our golden date with a very intimate super special dinner at home this Saturday. We’d be so happy to see you then. We’ve had our ups and downs over half a century but somehow, thank God, we’ve reached 50, and we are still having each other and even more in love. Father Louie will bless us with a Mass at six. No renewal of vows needed since original vows never expired.”
Jumping at the opportunity to know them better, I lovingly listened to their story.
Their love story began in 1957 in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Ofelia Gaerlan was the prettiest girl in the bank where both of them were employed. The young Willie Soliven courted her non-stop for two grueling years. She was so popular having been voted first runner-up Ms. Central Bank. Competition was fierce with so many guys after her.
Papa Willie said: “I fondly recall lining up at the Bundy clock, where I would stand in line trying to get close to her. One time I did and her long sweet smelling ponytail swished my nose. Ahh! A whiff of heaven!”
Papa Willie recalled Mommy Ofie had a beautiful face and such a graceful figure. She was a prima ballerina under National Artist Leonor Orosa Goquinco. She came from a prominent but well grounded family. Living a comfortable life, she didn’t even have to work yet she insisted on working and studying all at the same time. He admired her so much for that, and fell madly in love with her. She had all the values he could relate to — spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
Mommy Ofie said: “Willie was so persistent and so determined that he didn’t give his competitors a chance. He was the brightest guy in the research department and there were so many bright guys there. But he was so mabola! He is brilliant, funny and witty. Always so full of hilarious jokes. He wrote and played the piano so well. Never a dull moment with him around, up until now. My boss highly approved of him.”
A romantic at heart, Papa Willie would visit her aboard a jeepney where he would bring out his codigo, rehearse his poetry over and over again for a flawless delivery. Momy Ofie’s father, Dr. Isabelo Gaerlan, was the personal physician of President Carlos P. Garcia. So she and her family lived in Malacañang.
“It was so hard to make ligaw. I had to make friends with all the guards at Gate 4 in the Palace in order to get in. When she finally said yes, I almost passed out! I was too overwhelmed with joy!” said Papa Willie, adding that they were wed on Jan. 24, 1959.
He credited his Jesuit education for winning the heart of his love. He said, “I always apply what I learned from my Jesuit education which taught me not just how to make a living but how to live life!”
The celebration
Their golden anniversary celebration was simple, and totally beautiful since all family members rendered all the loving details with their own hands. As their eight-year-old granddaughter Cami Alinea Soliven said: “Anything homemade is the best because it’s filled with our own secret ingredient called love.” The full enthusiasm that the grandchildren displayed on this momentous occasion touched my heart.
The party started with daughter Ginette Soliven-Reyes, daughters-in-law Gingdee and Mita Soliven setting three tables in the garden on a cool starlit evening. Excitedly assisted by their children, family heirloom antique candelabras, exquisite capiz candle holders and placemats with gold piping were carefully laid out. Yaya Josie and trusty driver Mang Dolfo did the lush floral arrangements filling Gingdee’s golden lacquer bowls with tropical flowers gathered fresh from the garden. I walked in with the cake just as they finished lighting all the candles. To me, there couldn’t have been a lovelier scene.
Youngest son Bookie Soliven led the choir with all the grandchildren singing as Father Louie Soliven David said a most meaningful Mass assisted by my hubby Benny doing the readings. Vows of peace were exchanged with great affection by all family members. You could feel the love in the room. Papa Willie’s youngest brother Vic Soliven and wife Purita were in tears. His youngest sister Ethel Soliven-Timbol and daughter Bebeth thoughtfully provided a colorful bridal bouquet. Sisters-in-law May Soliven and Precious Soliven with daughter Sara shared in their joy. From Mommy Ofie’s side, her sister Chito Dumlao came with daughter Rosanna and her sister-in-law Dr. Charing Gaerlan came with daughter Emily, her hubby Ray Resurreccion and adorable little Kali.
The past remembered
Ginette and hubby Pete Reyes gathered 50 of their favorite photos together in a much applauded video presentation shown on Bookie’s projector. Flashed on the white wall was a picture of love, tested by time, emerging resplendent from life’s challenges.
In the middle of the presentation, the inseparable couple kissed passionately and embraced each other tight on this magical night — as the grandchildren witnessed the joys of their 50 shining moments together through their 50 years as husband and wife, grandmother and grandfather, travel partners and best friends.
There were gorgeous photos of their 1959 wedding at San Marcelino Church, honeymoon at Pines Hotel Baguio, memorable events in the lives of their six children and 12 grandchildren and the dream destinations they conquered together all over the world.
Papa said: “My kind of fun is being surrounded by the people I love and those that love me. That is what Mommy and I truly enjoy.” So, on their anniversary, they kept things simple, focusing more on the couple and their family. That way, every member of the family became more attentive and creative. Every family member got to appreciate each other more.
Songs, jokes and love
In the loving atmosphere of their home, a meaningful venue to the couple because it was built by love, dreams and joyful sacrifice, every corner was filled to the brim with laughter and music, being another passion of this extremely talented family. Pretty granddaughters Bea Soliven Reyes, 15, and Mica Soliven, 17, performed their delightful duet At the Beginning from Anastasia. Aria Soliven, eight, played an excerpt from The Sound of Music on grandpa’s piano and twin sister Gia Soliven belted out Maybe from Annie. There were jokes from Luigi Soliven, seven, and more stand up comedy from my son Vincent, 12, so the laughing never stopped. A poetic letter expressing gratitude to the most wonderful grandparents was read by Manolo Soliven, eight. Simultaneously, long distance calls came in from their two US-based children. Youngest daughter Carla S. Sto. Domingo, hubby Bernard and sons Josh and Enzo from California greeted Papa and Mommy. Virginia-based son lawyer Dennis Soliven, wife Celeste and twin grandchildren Cami and Pio burned the lines with deep affection.
A highlight of the program was a poignant poem composed by eldest grandson Billy Soliven, 15. His father Philip whispered to me that Billy, led by a sudden burst of inspiration, wrote that poem in five minutes on that love filled night. I am so proud to share his poem with you:
50 years have gone by all the troubles and woes. Through the different quarrels and problems that have gone by is a heart that never falters or dies. Even if time passes by, the years start to pass, that you will return to the Lord our Savior, the flesh and blood may grow old and weary, but fortunately, the 2 hearts still beat as one, never to dispatch from each other because without one, the other dies. Both of you may already know it till today that love conquers all even from death and sorrow. So to the little words give, may it remind you to love each other till the end of time. Without a thought, there wouldn’t be a sentence. Without a step, there wouldn’t be a walk. Without a kiss, there wouldn’t be marriage. Without you, there would be none of us. Without 50 years, there wouldn’t be a family. So with that passion of the hearts you still have, that burns brighter each day, may you have a golden, happy anniversary.
Happy, happy anniversary Papa Willie and Mommy Ofie. May God continue to grant you the happiest years together surrounded by all those you love.
(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)