It was a beautiful Tuesday evening as we all watched the lovely Marie as she walked down the aisle on Danny’s arm, looking more like a debutante than a silver bride. Her six beaming children followed. As they showed to all and sundry what a beautiful family they were, my golden-voiced hubby, Benny, sang a heart-warming rendition of I Will Be There. The Turf Room of Manila Polo Club resplendent with red roses and soft candlelights cast a glow of love on all of us who were gathered there.
As they promised to continue loving each other, while thanking God for the abundant blessings of the past 25 years, we all shared their happiness through tears and laughter. Father Bernie gave them the final blessing and right after they sealed it with a torrid kiss, we all sat down to a very sumptuous dinner. With delectable desserts came an even sweeter treat for all to savor. The children gifted their parents with a lovely tribute through a video presentation of Danny and Marie’s colorful life together. This labor of love eventually paved the way for us, their closest friends, who were given the liberty to deliver our own personal sharing, toasting and roasting.
So they say, age before beauty, as youthful looking Macky Sibug del Rosario was given first crack to warm up the mike. As a little girl during those good old days, she had witnessed it all! Being one of their closest neighbors where it all started on Arguilla Street in San Lorenzo Village, she mischievously declared that Danny and Marie’s story was the classic boy-next-door kind but with a passion to beat population charts! "In fact," Macky warmly revealed, "Danny and Marie had naughtily whispered to me that they were going to make their little bunso tonight. Perhaps another honeymoon baby again?"
Ray Valeda, Marie’s wacky but charming brother, could not contain himself as he reminisced in comic detail how extremely nice the young Danny had been to him. He was unbelievably accommodating to the point of lending Ray his brand new car. Eventually, Ray realized that the real reason for Danny’s generosity was because he was so in love with his sister Marie. He would do anything to get near her even if it was just to help her cross the street.
Gracious couple Manu and Champa Gidwani, who flew in from Bacolod to be with their best friends on this special evening, attested that Marie’s only complaint about Danny was that he was always giving her too much attention and wouldn’t leave her alone. They recalled that when the Yaptangcos moved to Bacolod, where Danny operated a prawn farm, he was so concerned that his gregarious wife had suddenly become lonely while waiting for his prawns to grow. Danny couldn’t bear to see his wife lonely so he booked a disco called El Capitan where he invited friends for her to dance with almost every night. Eventually they joined Couples for Christ and developed a lot of great friendships.
A dear friend Jojo Dayrit jokingly complained that whenever he would invite Danny and Marie to prayer meetings or teachings, they would be late or absent. But whenever he or wife Judith would invite them to a concert, show or offer them complimentary tickets to a bar gig, even in as little as 30 minutes advance notice, chances are they would be there! "They are so kaladkarin," claimed Jojo, realizing that this trait of the couple is their inevitable secret to the success of this 25-year-old relationship. Danny and Marie have never graduated from the dating stage. This deep fascination they have for each other continues to fan the flames of their marriage.
When Danny took the mike, we were all smiles. "My wife looks the same as she did 25 years ago," he began. "And still as yummy and vibrant as ever!" He continued: "They say there are two types of people you can choose – your wife and your friends. Standing here 25 years later I can truly say I had made the right choice. My wife Marie has a heart of gold. She talks to complete strangers and they open up their lives to her. She readily welcomes people with her genuine warmth and charm. She never judges people by appearances, rather, she sees the beauty they radiate from inside. That is her gift. She is an over-protective mom who loves her kids so much she will fight with anyone who hurts them. She is a loving wife and a very doting mother. All my kids are good looking because of her. I once heard Oprah Winfrey telling her viewers, ‘Do not depend on material gains to satisfy yourself, for the time will come, when you are down, and these will be the things you will hate the most. Instead , give your life to someone, and this will fill your life’."
Today, Danny said with pride, he was very happy to have devoted his life entirely to Marie and their six children. "They, in turn, have fulfilled mine."
When it was finally my turn to talk about the couple, I took the mike with much emotion. You see, I have known Danny and Marie for quite some time now. We have laughed, cried and prayed together constantly through the years. I treasure their friendship to the highest heavens because it is truly a God-centered one. We have served side by side in Couples for Christ. I am godmother to their daughter Monica upon confirmation and probably one day I will likewise be godmother to Chrisel when and if she marries. We have shared so much of each other that it seems we have no secrets. I can even tell you the very day that their youngest son Mikael was conceived, including all the funny details of what outlandish Marie was wearing and approximately what time and where this seduction took place.
Wacky Marie even wanted to walk down the aisle to the tune of Madonna’s Like A Virgin, (Touched for the very first time!). But I succeeded in convincing my husband to sing her a decent song instead. But Marie was inexorable that she said she would just reserve that Madonna classic for their 50th wedding anniversary. That’s how crazy and funny Marie can be!
We, in their prayer group, were also their very willing and able guinea pigs. We would practically taste test every single lechon they prepared prior to opening their Gourmet Lechon business three years ago. No wonder that to this day it is a smashing success!
What amazes me after all these years is that they still appear like newlyweds, not just in appearance but these two still act like they are perpetually in honeymoon mode. They can never be apart. They can’t even sit apart. During our get-togethers, Marie will squeeze herself into a tiny armchair just so long as she can be next to Danny. She often says, "I’m lost without Danny." Danny in turn only has eyes for Marie. It is a marriage filled to the brim with humor and passion. And the fire is always burning! Let me give you a tip... Marie always makes sure she looks good for Danny.
Marie is the livewire who keeps him constantly high with gaiety and laughter. The soulful Danny is the one who keeps her grounded, warm and secure. His patience knows no end where Marie is concerned. He never interrupts her when she is talking. He never rushes her when she is sharing a story or two. He just sits there spellbound, listening intently to her every word. He never harasses her even when it’s time to go home. He spoils and indulges her every whim! Yet they temper and support each other. She is the wind beneath his wings.
Danny and Marie make marriage look so easy, and that includes six kids with no nanny. They make marriage look like a bed of roses, and that is, without any thorns.
Being with them is a clear affirmation of a match made in heaven because when Danny and Marie are together you know that they have truly found forever in each other’s arms. Such love!
(I would love to hear your happy story. E-mail me at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)