How 9 weeks of novenas became 50 years of married bliss

A love story such as that of Lolo Victor Hugo Gutierrez and Lola Amada Ocampo Gutierrez could seemingly only be conceived in the minds of eternal optimists and hopeless romantics. Lolo was in the same barkada (who called themselves Apulong Demonyos or Ten Devils) as Lola’s older brother.

While Lolo was cutting class to watch movies and hang out with his friends, Lola stayed with her parents to help out in the family business.  When he was away for two years in Guam working as an OFW, my perennial bolero of a Lolo bombarded her with love letters. Lola asked for a sign from God that he was “the one” and prayed for nine consecutive weeks. At the end of her novena, he arrived from abroad and asked for her hand in marriage.

Eight children, 19 apos and 50 years later, their marriage continues to inspire people who still believe that soulmates do exist.

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with some 500 friends and family.

The guests were serenaded by harpist Holly Paraiso as they entered San Roque Church, whose aisles were decorated with bamboo poles trimmed with capiz and sampaguita, fabricated to look like coconut trees. Fr. Deo Galang and Fr. Bert Coronel officiated the wedding Mass. 

The Subic Bay Yacht Club, where the reception was held, was transformed into what seemed like a house of worship for Lolo and Lola. When would you ever see an elevator open up to their poster-sized 1927 wedding photo? The attention to detail was so precise and unnecessary it could only be the brainchild of my uncle Reimon Gutierrez.

Auntie Dulzzi Gutierrez, Al Caronan and Al Purugganan ensured that the ambience of the church and reception captured the couple’s simple yet elegant lifestyle. From the floral arrangements to the table setting, everything was well planned and executed. And the food! Oh the food! Kai chef Gilbert Pangilinan cooked up a spectacular Japanese feast. I did not feel guilty for having everything — and seconds —  especially the wasabi oyster tempura.

While eating my nth oyster, we were entertained by a zarzuela directed by Andy Alvis featuring Artista Sta.Rita, a troupe of performers who depicted Lolo and Lola’s love story through song. Internationally acclaimed jazz singer Mon David was Victor Hugo Gutierrez, the member of Apulong Demonyos who aspired to be the other half of barrio lass Amada Ocampo. Guests were amused to the very end as they concluded with Kapampangan Ku, the anthem for Pampanga pride. As the night drew to an end, close friends and family were each given a coffeetable book that documented and paid tribute to Lolo, Lola, and their own version of happily ever after.     

As I watched them renew their vows, my belief in “the one” is out there was renewed as well. Thank you, Lolo and Lola, for teaching me to believe that being married to the right person is worth hoping for and with love for family, a sense of humor, and unwavering faith in God, like you, this milestone is possible.

When the time came for Lolo to kiss his bride, I became determined to find that novena Lola prayed. I have always admired my grandparents for their ability to draw strength from one another. But at that moment, the sap in me saw them at their weakest when tears welled up as they looked into each other’s eyes.

Then I really wanted to kneel down and start praying that novena already.