Twice the wedding, twice to forever: Kasalang Bayan weds two generations of family

MANILA, Philippines—Even in this modern age, church wedding remains as the most sacred and valued union between two individuals—especially in predominantly Catholic Philippines. Many Filipinos dream of exchanging vows with their beloved in front of God’s altar.

This was the case for two generations of Revalo family who chose to wed in church in June. Percival and Susan Revalo, who were married for 34 years already, renewed their wedding vows; while their son Daiskee Haylo tied the knot with wife Lea again after marrying her in a civil ceremony last year.

Here are their love stories, which will make us believe in finding our destinies:

Fulfilling a promise

For the elder Revalo couple, their renewal of vow is special because it fulfills a broken promise.

“May promise ako na kapag umabot kami ng 25 years na magkasama, pakakasalan ko uli siya. Hindi natupad dahil sa maraming problema (I promised that when we reach 25 years of being together, I will marry her again). But this did not come true because of many problems),” Percival told to Philstar.com in an exclusive interview.

Percival and Susan Revalo renewed their vows while their son Daiskee Revalo wedded Lea in a Kasalang Bayan at Cavite. Philstar.com

And as a long-time employee of Lancaster New City, the Kasalang Bayan's organizer, Percival said, “I grabbed the opportunity and applied. Nagpadala ako ng video ng aming kwento. Sa kabutihang palad, napili naman (I sent a video on our story. Thankfully, we were chosen).” He did so all by himself to surprise his wife Susan.

“Actually, hindi ko alam na ikakasal uli kami! (Actually, I didn’t know that we will get married again),” Susan gushed clearly happy of her husband’s surprise. “Pero dumarating ang mga bagay sa tamang panahon.”

This is just the beginning for the two as Percival once again promised to wed Susan on their 50th wedding anniversary

Foundation in faith

Living as husband and wife together for three decades was no easy feat for the Revalos especially when their small businesses got bankrupt.

“Noon meron kaming canteen at sasakayan pang-negosyo. Maginhawa ang buhay naming pero mas marami ang problema namin at hindi pagkakaintindihan (Before, we used to have a canteen and vehicle for business. Our life was comfortable but we had more problems and misunderstandings),” Susan recounted.

Percival agreed saying that when they started losing money, they became ill-tempered with each other. He added, “Hindi naging madali ang aming pagsasama. Halos naghiwalay din kami. Pero totoo na kapag may problema ka, saka ka lang lalapit sa simbahan, sa Maykapal para humingi ng tulong. Dahil dito, tumibay ang aming pananampalataya (Our relationship was not easy. We almost broke up. But it’s true that you will come to church, to ask God for help. Because of this, our faith got stronger.”

Indeed, marrying in church was meaningful for Percival and Susan. It also felt like the first time again, both of them shedding tears as Susan walked down the aisle.

Something unexpected

Daiskee and Lea Revalo, on the other hand, share not only a young and promising love but also an unexpected story.

Daiskee and Lea Revalo with their 9-month-old son Matthew. Philstar.com

“Ang love story namin ay kakaiba talaga kasi ex-girlfriend niya ang best friend ko. Para sa akin, hindi ako makapaniwala na pwedeng mangyari ‘yon, na asawa ko na siya ngayon (Our love story is very unique because my best friend was his ex-girlfriend. For me, I couldn’t believe that this could happen, that he is already my husband),” Lea shared to Philstar.com.

Daiskee recounted that they only became close with each other four years after his break-up and it all started in Facebook. Lea commented on one of his posts, and from then, their communication became constant. Finally, they fell in love with each other.

This was what they shared to Lancaster New City via an online letter accompanied by their photos and videos. It shared that they are still friends with the ex-girlfriend who is also now their son’s ninang (godmother).

Lastly, their application stated that they were encouraged by Daiskee’s parents to wed in Kasalang Bayan despite marrying in court last year.

Dual blessings

On why they agreed to marry again in church, Daiskee answered, “Para sa amin, mas solid ang kasal pareho sa huwes at sa simbahan (For us, marrying in both court and church is more solid).”

But a church wedding would always feel surreal. As Lea said, “Kanina nung naglalakad ako sa aisle, naiiyak pa rin ako kasi iba sa pakiramdam kapag blessed kayo sa simbahan (When I was walking down the aisle earlier, I was still crying because it’s different when we were blessed in church).”

Getting married in a Kasalang Bayan was also very helpful for the young family who are saving up for their future together.

Besides the financial aid, the wedding preparation was also convenient. “Sinasabi na nila sa amin ang mga kailangan i-submit na mga legal documents. Lahat sila na ang bahala, mula sa simbahan hanggang sa reception. Ang kailangan lang naming ihanda ay ang wedding attires and rings. Sa loob ng isang buwan, ito na. Nagkatotoo na ang pangarap namin (They told us all the legal documents we needed to submit. And then they took care of everything from the church to the reception. We just prepared our wedding attires and rings. After a month, this is it. Our dream came true).”

An unforgettable day

Getting married alongside one another in the same church by the same priest made Kasalang Bayan unforgettable for the Revalo couples.

Asked what advice they can give to their newly-married children, Percival and Susan said, “Sana dumating din ang ganitong pagkakataon sa kanila na ikasal uli. Maging matatag sila at kung meron hindi pagkakaunawaan ay habaan ang pag-intindi (I hope that they will also get to experience this renewal of marraige. Be strong and if they misunderstandings, understand each other as much as they can).”

In turn, Daiskee and Lea promised to look up to their parents as role models in marriage.

The Revalo family’s dream weddings came true because of Lancaster New City Cavite, which began holding Kasalang Bayan in 2016. For this year, couples for renewal of vows were invited in celebration of the property’s 10th anniversary.

“Lancaster New City Cavite is a township project of Pro-Friends with five pillars: Live, Learn, Work, Play and Pray. And our Parish of the Holy Family is for Pray. We want to emphasize Filipino values and getting married is part of that. We value it yet we don’t judge people. If they want to get married, even if they had been together and had children already, then we will provide an avenue for them,” said Dave Amor, Assistant Vice President for Marketing for Pro-Friends.

Lancaster New City's Kasalang Bayan 2017 saw 16 couples tie the knot in church for the first time ever, while four renewed their wedding vows. Philstar.com 

For the Revalos, marrying in church is a dream come true. Philstar.com

Lancaster New City Cavite's Kasalang Bayan 2017 is themed #Katadhana. Philstar.com 

For this year, couples for renewal of vows were invited in celebration of the property’s 10th anniversary. Philstar.com

It was a mass wedding yet it was still intimate with loved ones taking part in the special occasion. Philstar.com

For more information about Lancaster New City, visit www.facebook.com/LancasterNewCityOfficial and http://lancasternewcity.com.ph.