“…God is love…” –1 John 4:8

My eyes welled up with tears seeing 81-year-old Pedro B. Manuel and his 79 year-old wife, Rosaura Sinense Manuel, role models for a happy marriage, celebrating his birthday last Friday with a simple breakfast at a McDonald’s in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

As they enjoyed their meal, the couple exuded peace, contentment, and happiness in their old age, prompting McDonalds personnel to ask them to pose for photographs. I joined in snapping a few pictures as they reminded me of my own parents, the late Melanio P. Mauricio, Sr. and Salvacion L. Mauricio, who lived together into old age, problems and differences notwithstanding.

Witnessing the love between Mr. and Mrs. Manuel, I found myself praying for God to influence more young Filipinos to be like them – live together as husband and wife, as a united family, for a long time, (as singer-composer Rey Valera once wrote) even when the hairs on their head have already vanished or turned grey.

Thank God, in the name of Jesus, Amen (pictures of the Manuels can be accessed at facebook.com/attybatas).

Nat King Cole’s “Too Young,” a theme song for my parents

The scene of undying love manifested in the faces of the Manuels compelled me to reminisce about my parents.

My Dad died in 2016 at 84 years old, five years after suffering a stroke. My Mom also suffered a stroke and died last April at the age of 83.

Admittedly, my parents experienced their share of marital spats throughout their 60 years of marriage in the same way most loving and saintly couples live. However, to their credit, they insisted on living together as husband and wife, with an intact and unbroken family, until the end. They stood together, fiercely fighting to prove the love they felt, since time they met (when Dad was 22 and Mom and two years younger than him), was true and genuine.

They endeavored to show everyone what they felt was nor merely youthful attraction or fondness.

Prayers for the unity of Filipino families, husbands and wives

I saw in my parents, what marriage counselors today call, “commitment,” or the decision to stay married whatever the circumstances encountered. My mother and father were truly the first couple that espoused an idea that would later become popular among those who enter marriage counseling, “loving is a decision, not a feeling.” This is grossly contrary to the current prevailing stance of many couples, especially those who married young, which suggests, even after trivial differences, couple can leave one another and go their separate ways; seeking happiness from other partners, while disregarding the children.

Consequently, I am fervently praying and asking, Jesus, our God and Savior, who is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to grant husbands and wives of this present generation to remain true to their marriage vows, uphold the unity and wholeness of their families, and refuse separating from one another for their sake of their children and the entire Filipino nation.

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FOR QUESTIONS, REACTIONS: If anyone would like to ask me any question about what the burning issues of the day mean, what we have discussed here, or to consult any problem, whatever it maybe, please call 0917-984-2468, email me at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at facebook.com/attybatas. Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!/WDJ