Caloocan City Councilor Orvince Howard A. Hernandez has announced the five lovely senior couples selected as best love stories in the “Valentine’s Day Blog Making Contest,” a project he spearheaded for the celebration of Valentine’s Day this year.
Hernandez named the partners as Lolo Joe and Lola Dory, Duatin of Barangay 176, married for almost 60 years with 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren; Lolo Emong and Lola Carmelita Miranda of Barangay 174, married for 70 years with 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren;
Lolo Eli and Lola Gemma Ranara of Barangay 167, married for more than 50 years with 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren; Lolo Tonyo and Lola Orang Ladignon of Barangay 177, married for more than 70 years with 12 children; and Lolo Lilis and Lola Nida Leona of Barangay 171, almost 50 years married with 3 children.
“Talagang nakakakilig ang mga ipinadalang love story sa ating ‘Valentine’s Day Blog Making Contest.’ Talagang dito sa Caloocan, may forever. At kung lovelife forever din lang ang hanap natin, champion d’yan ang limang ‘tander couples’ na napili; sana all,” Hernandez said.
“Bilang pagpupugay sa kanila, bibigyan natin sila ng salo-salo with matching flowers kasama ang kanilang pamilya. Bibigyan din ang ating limang ‘love birds’ ng plake at kaunting cash,” he added.
The lovelife of Lolo Joe and Lola Darry, who celebrated their 54th anniversary last January 14, is God-centered because Lola Darry is a church lector/commentator who had convinced Lolo Joe to attend the mass at St. Paul of the Cross Parish despite his being a Protestant.
Later, he was converted into Catholicism and now serving the church together with his wife. Lolo Joe is now blind due to glaucoma.
“Ang kwento naman nina Lolo Emong at Lola Carmelita ay ma-aksyon na tipong harangan man ng sibat ay talagang ipaglalaban ang pag-ibig dahil ilang beses pala silang sinubukang paghiwalayin ng mga magulang ni Lola. Pero sa bandang huli, nasunod pa rin ang kanilang pagmamahalan,” Hernandez said.
Love conquers all for Lolo Eli and Lola Gemma. From Cebu, they went to Manila where they experienced hardship and sacrifices to provide for their families. The couple overcame the challenges and were able to send their children to schools who are now all professionals.
“Si Lolo Tonyo at Lola Orang, pag-ibig din sa isa’t-isa ang naging sandalan upang mapagtagumpayan ang mga hamon ng buhay. Lima sa kanilang mga anak ang pumanaw na pero naging matatag pa rin sila. Ganun din sina Lolo Lilis at Lola Nida na nalampasan ang hirap dahil sa magkasama nilang hinarap ang buhay,” Hernandez said.
He said that the young generation, especially the millennials, will be able to learn from the couples the value of true love.
“Ngayong buwan ng mga puso, at sa gitna ng bawat pagsubok sa buhay, alalahanin natin walang mas makapangyarihan pa sa wagas na pag-ibig, s’yempre, una ang pag-ibig ng Diyos,” he added.