WHEN RED IS WED
November 24, 2002 | 12:00am
Simplicity is now a requirement in everything we do – even the things we used to lavishly spend on. More and more Filipinos feel the harsh impact of a weak economy and so some weddings have become simpler.
I am sure that Teddy and Ruth tried so hard to make theirs simple, too. After all, the cause to which they have dedicated their lives frowns deeply at ostentatious celebrations.
Teddy Casiño and Ruth Cervantes (now Casiño na rin) are no ordinary Filipinos. They would like to think they are, but they are not. They may not be household names, but they do have their share of admirers. That’s what they get for being street warriors, for upseting the comfortable in society, and for inspiring many who dream of a life opposite of what they have today.
Both have been the public face of Bayan and consequently they’re both in the limelight every time controversies arise, every time the ordinary Filipino faces yet again a mountain of problems. Leery of the august halls of formal power represented by Malacañang and Congress, Teddy and Ruth have become at home in the streets. The image of Teddy in a formal barong and Ruth in an immaculate wedding gown borrowed from her sister was quite an unusual sight; everyone knows that jeans and T-shirts have long been their daily fashion.
If strangers had passed by that evening and peeked at the people inside the San Agustin Chruch, it would have seemed a very ordinary wedding. But I was awakened to a different kind of reality when native, nationalistic songs gently but unusually – not strangely though – set the tone of the ceremony. Maybe Teddy and Ruth did not want to forget their Bayan cause, not even on their wedding day. No wonder the church didn’t let the couple pay the usual fees!
And so they let their guests share in that deep passion for motherland. "Ang alay na kandila ay simbolo ng kabanalan at pananampalataya. Ang alak at tinapay, kasama ng palay ay simbolo naman ng mga biyaya ng Diyos sa lupa na pinagyayaman ng kamay ng ating mga kapatid na magsasaka at manggagawa.
"Ang pluma, papel at telang pula ay sagisag ng paglahok ng mag-asawa sa progresibong kilusang masa. Ang halaman ay simbolo naman ng kanilang mithiin para sa isang lipunang may katarungan, kapayapaan at kasaganahan."
Another advocate for change and justice, Fr. Joe Dizon officiated the Mass and wedding ritual. It seemed that when these two activists got married, their wedding symbolized the cause they are fighting for as well.
When the aras were presented, both Ted and Ruth said: "Inilalagak natin sa isa’t-isa itong mga aras na tanda ng ating pagpapahalaga at pagkalinga sa kapakanan ng bawat isa, ng ating magiging anak at sa masang anakpawis."
In the Panalangin ng Bayan, we prayed: "Para sa masang nagtitiis at nagpapakasakit, nang sila’y tuwangan ng Diyos tungo sa paglaya sa pang-aalipin..." to free the masses from deprivation.
"Para sa kapayapaan sa buong daigdig, upang ang lahat ay makatulong sa pagtataguyod ng lipunang malaya at walang ligalig, may katarungan, pagkakapatiran at pagrespeto sa karapatang pantao..." to respect human rights for the people.
I smiled to myself as I thought that finally, Fr. Joe had wed the Reds. But the only red that Teddy and Ruth held that evening was the red in their hearts – no placards, no flags, all love. I know that red in the streets symbolizes fire and anger at social injustice and oppression but it can also symbolize love, Valentine’s Day, red roses and carnations.
I was one of the sponsors of these two young Filipinos who are doing more than their share of introducing reforms in the minds, hearts and systems of our country. Thus I noticed the details that made a seemingly ordinary occasion an unusual one.
I spotted a man whom Maria Montelibano had once pointed out to me as the "one who guided me to the hills and NPA camp in Bicol when my television crew wanted to interview Satur Ocampo right after the EDSA I revolution." He was not in barong like Teddy but in what must have been to him the ultimate formal wear – a clean, crisp long-sleeved shirt with a belt bag he wore all the time.
The reception was a continuation of the same scene, thankfully for many of Teddy‘s and Ruth’s guests who may have felt they were now on more familiar grounds. The Orchidarium was a poignant Camelot for lovers turned husband and wife. Had they gone to receive their guests in a hotel, I think Teddy and Ruth would have felt ill at ease.
This way they were nearer the streets, within sight of the stars above hills, under the greens where many spend ther time strategizing, and where still many who were once in the stockades and torture chambers of a dictator would rather be.
Their wedding reminded me of the brief moments of history when Left, Right and Center marched for a common cause. It was nostalgic for me. Since EDSA II, I have seen the drifting away of the alliance of the streets. I thought as consolation that what was done once could be done again when the highest interests of God, country and family demanded it.
Both Ted and Ruth reminded me of the wedding of Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria de Jesus in Tondo with the blazing fire of the spirit of the Katipunan.
Congratulations, Teddy, for treasuring such a lovely, resolute and supportive wife, and our best wishes, Ruth, for a life ahead with your brave Teddy.
I am sure that Teddy and Ruth tried so hard to make theirs simple, too. After all, the cause to which they have dedicated their lives frowns deeply at ostentatious celebrations.
Teddy Casiño and Ruth Cervantes (now Casiño na rin) are no ordinary Filipinos. They would like to think they are, but they are not. They may not be household names, but they do have their share of admirers. That’s what they get for being street warriors, for upseting the comfortable in society, and for inspiring many who dream of a life opposite of what they have today.
Both have been the public face of Bayan and consequently they’re both in the limelight every time controversies arise, every time the ordinary Filipino faces yet again a mountain of problems. Leery of the august halls of formal power represented by Malacañang and Congress, Teddy and Ruth have become at home in the streets. The image of Teddy in a formal barong and Ruth in an immaculate wedding gown borrowed from her sister was quite an unusual sight; everyone knows that jeans and T-shirts have long been their daily fashion.
If strangers had passed by that evening and peeked at the people inside the San Agustin Chruch, it would have seemed a very ordinary wedding. But I was awakened to a different kind of reality when native, nationalistic songs gently but unusually – not strangely though – set the tone of the ceremony. Maybe Teddy and Ruth did not want to forget their Bayan cause, not even on their wedding day. No wonder the church didn’t let the couple pay the usual fees!
And so they let their guests share in that deep passion for motherland. "Ang alay na kandila ay simbolo ng kabanalan at pananampalataya. Ang alak at tinapay, kasama ng palay ay simbolo naman ng mga biyaya ng Diyos sa lupa na pinagyayaman ng kamay ng ating mga kapatid na magsasaka at manggagawa.
"Ang pluma, papel at telang pula ay sagisag ng paglahok ng mag-asawa sa progresibong kilusang masa. Ang halaman ay simbolo naman ng kanilang mithiin para sa isang lipunang may katarungan, kapayapaan at kasaganahan."
Another advocate for change and justice, Fr. Joe Dizon officiated the Mass and wedding ritual. It seemed that when these two activists got married, their wedding symbolized the cause they are fighting for as well.
When the aras were presented, both Ted and Ruth said: "Inilalagak natin sa isa’t-isa itong mga aras na tanda ng ating pagpapahalaga at pagkalinga sa kapakanan ng bawat isa, ng ating magiging anak at sa masang anakpawis."
In the Panalangin ng Bayan, we prayed: "Para sa masang nagtitiis at nagpapakasakit, nang sila’y tuwangan ng Diyos tungo sa paglaya sa pang-aalipin..." to free the masses from deprivation.
"Para sa kapayapaan sa buong daigdig, upang ang lahat ay makatulong sa pagtataguyod ng lipunang malaya at walang ligalig, may katarungan, pagkakapatiran at pagrespeto sa karapatang pantao..." to respect human rights for the people.
I smiled to myself as I thought that finally, Fr. Joe had wed the Reds. But the only red that Teddy and Ruth held that evening was the red in their hearts – no placards, no flags, all love. I know that red in the streets symbolizes fire and anger at social injustice and oppression but it can also symbolize love, Valentine’s Day, red roses and carnations.
I was one of the sponsors of these two young Filipinos who are doing more than their share of introducing reforms in the minds, hearts and systems of our country. Thus I noticed the details that made a seemingly ordinary occasion an unusual one.
I spotted a man whom Maria Montelibano had once pointed out to me as the "one who guided me to the hills and NPA camp in Bicol when my television crew wanted to interview Satur Ocampo right after the EDSA I revolution." He was not in barong like Teddy but in what must have been to him the ultimate formal wear – a clean, crisp long-sleeved shirt with a belt bag he wore all the time.
The reception was a continuation of the same scene, thankfully for many of Teddy‘s and Ruth’s guests who may have felt they were now on more familiar grounds. The Orchidarium was a poignant Camelot for lovers turned husband and wife. Had they gone to receive their guests in a hotel, I think Teddy and Ruth would have felt ill at ease.
This way they were nearer the streets, within sight of the stars above hills, under the greens where many spend ther time strategizing, and where still many who were once in the stockades and torture chambers of a dictator would rather be.
Both Ted and Ruth reminded me of the wedding of Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria de Jesus in Tondo with the blazing fire of the spirit of the Katipunan.
Congratulations, Teddy, for treasuring such a lovely, resolute and supportive wife, and our best wishes, Ruth, for a life ahead with your brave Teddy.
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