A ruby wedding
anniversary

A wedding is always a happy occasion. It is a celebration of love's promise and commitment. Unfortunately, a lot of marriages do not survive and so many disillusioned couples finally decide to break up. What began so beautifully ends up in sadness and despair. Which is why a 40th wedding anniversary is a double celebration for two people whose love has withstood the test of time. The renewal of vows for happily married couple, Janet and Teddy Aritao, was a fitting climax to 40 years of wedded bliss. They are now residents of Sydney, Australia but have not forgotten their roots in Bacolod. And when their children wanted to have a grand wedding celebration for them, they all decided to hold it here where they first fell in love.

The late afternoon ceremony was held at the Cosmopolitan Evangelical Church with Dr. Rev. Greg Tingson and Rev. Alfeo Tupaz, as solemnizing ministers. Some of the guests came all the way from Sydney including my dear old friend from "way- back-when", Sanchit Bayani Conway. We had a lot of fun exchanging pleasantries with familiar faces like Amado Parreno Jr., Rex Remitio, Babes Estrella, Zoilo dela Cruz, Ric Yanson, Mayor Janet Torres, Janet Remitio, Gilda Puey, Isabelita "Baby" Severino (Janet's sister) and the other principal sponsors.

The couple's children and grandchildren all looked so pretty and handsome as they welcomed the guests. Teddy looked a bit nervous while waiting for the ceremony to begin. After a slight delay, the bridal entourage finally marched down the aisle and when daughter Jaramie Zuniga, sang "Ikaw", the bride walked toward her groom wearing a beautiful white beaded wedding gown adorned with

ruby-colored flower appliqués on the bodice. The excitement of the occasion and the humidity must have affected Janet so much that halfway through the ceremony, she almost fainted. Fortunately, she made a quick recovery and the ceremony ended without further hitches. The naughty ninangs kidded Janet that she might be pregnant again amid howls of laughter from the bride and groom.

During the reception at Sugarland Hotel, some of the couple's relatives spoke about the enduring love the two have for each other. There was a lot of teasing and joshing from their former comrades in arms - Teddy's former political allies and Janet's dear friends from her radio days.

We could see how happy and proud the children are of their parents. The night was filled with joyous singing and dancing which lasted until late. To Janet and Teddy, may you always be happy together and may your golden wedding anniversary be even more grand!*