To remarry or to stay single?

A lot of single men and women dream of walking down the aisle, looking forward to a “happily ever after” ending. But a few years after marriage, when the romance becomes less intense, couples then realize that it is just the start of another journey. Marriage is always a work in progress and it takes two to tango. When things don’t work out as one has dreamt it to be, hard as it may be, separation becomes an option. Being single once again becomes a blessing to some and yet to others being alone is hard. Read on to hear what some interviewees who have been married and single again had to say.

Ruffa Gutierrez, TV host, actress

It’s better to be single, free and happy than be married and miserable. I pray that when I’m ready to settle down again God will bless me with a lifetime partner who has the fruit of the Spirit: love, peace, joy, goodness, gentleness, kindness, patience, self- control and faithfulness.

Nathan Azarcon, musician, nationalist, songwriter and producer

I was happy when I got married but the timing wasn’t right... my career was in a shambles. All that constant touring and pressure to write new material took its toll. It put a lot of stress on my marriage. Looking back, I should have left all the garbage at work and not have brought it home. So yun, I was not a good husband. 

My being single allowed me to work on new material and yes, for a while I was happy... but I rarely saw my son. 

So yun, I was not a good father. 

One day my wife and I will forget all our mistakes and hopefully, armed with a better understanding of each other, we can start anew, tabula rasa. 

Only then will I be happy. 

Louie Ysmael, businessman

Who doesn’t want a perfect marriage? I was always very happy when I was single, before getting married, and now I’m loving it again. When I got married there were great, good, not so good, and awful times. But I have no regrets. Actually now that I am not married my ex and I are friendlier and more amicable with each other than the last couple of years of our 11-year marriage. I’m not closing the door to another marriage but an ideal happy marriage takes a lot of patience, understanding, communication, trust and a whole lotta love. If I’m lucky enough to find another partner, why not? But again, I’ve always believed that it’s better to be alone than badly accompanied. 

Right now, the only person I see growing old with me is my daughter Missy. Everything else is secondary.

Marichelle Ligon, associate and beauty editor, Metro Society

Being married and single has both pros and cons and for me, they even out in the end. Because we don’t get that constant feeling of being happy when you are married and the same when you are single again. Although I enjoy my freedom a lot now and having that freedom made me know my God, myself, my strength and weaknesses, what’s really true happiness to me and what is false, my likes and dislikes and so on. Knowing all these things now is what made the person that I am now. I get to love and know myself a lot. If it’s God’s will for me to remarry, I wouldn’t mind it at all. 

Miriam Quiambao, TV/film actress and former beauty queen

Both states have their benefits. The state of singlehood allows you to have the time to pursue your interests and passions without the need to be answerable or responsible to another person, whereas marriage provides the joy of going through life with a partner who will encourage you with your life goals and build a family with you. It really depends on the person’s preference. In any given situation, either state can be fun and fulfilling as long it is Spirit-led and lived to the fullest.

Former Senator Nikki Coseteng

One of the best decisions I made in my life was to decide to live alone with my two children. At that time they must have been two and six years old. From that time on I began to grow and be the best I could ever be. Being single allows you time alone, time to be with people you genuinely want to be with and who genuinely want to be with you. Being single enables you to make your own decisions. Makes bringing up children much easier because there’s no unwanted person in the house that would impose on you.

Arthur Acuna, stage and film actor

Happiness in either a married or single state can’t be simplified. I do know that my “now” with Maritina is the happiest I’ve ever been. Remarry? Definitely.

Lorna Galang Lopez, polo player and executive

Hard to qualify. I have had great moments in both. But it is a work in progress to find happiness not “because of” but “in spite of.” On whether to remarry, if it’s in my stars; I don’t have a crystal ball.