22/02/2026
40th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MEMOIR
Forty years have passed since we stood before a judge in a courtroom in Mandaue City on February 20, 1986, and quietly, bravely spoke our vows. There wasn’t a grand or lavish celebration—but it was ours. Simple, sincere, and sealed with courage.
Whenever I look back at that day, I cannot separate our love story from the history unfolding around us. The country was in turmoil. The air was heavy with uncertainty as the nation moved toward what would become the historic People Power Revolution. From February 22 to 25, peaceful demonstrations filled the streets, sparked by a collective longing for truth and freedom after years under the Martial Law regime. It was a time when everything felt fragile—when the future of the nation itself seemed to hang in the balance.
Amidst that national upheaval, we were navigating our own personal storm. I was deeply immersed in my responsibilities as an auditor at the Commission on Audit, racing against the February 20 deadline to complete and submit the Annual Audit Report. The pressure was intense. Yet by God’s grace, I was able to submit the report on time—clearing the way for us to begin a new chapter that very same day.
Looking back now, I marvel at the boldness of that decision. In the middle of political unrest, professional pressure, and uncertainty all around us, we chose each other. We chose LOVE. We chose FOREVER. It remains the boldest and most life-changing decision I have ever made.
And here we are—forty years later. Through seasons of calm and seasons of storm, through growth, challenges, laughter, and countless shared memories, God has faithfully carried us. What began in uncertain times has blossomed into four decades of partnership, friendship, and enduring love.
With hearts full of gratitude, we thank God for His providence and grace through these 40 blissful years—and we look forward to the days still to come, hand in hand.
