Our Love Story

It all began with a simple act of friendship. Abundio and Ofelio, Virgilia’s brother, were close friends. One day, Abundio accompanied Ofelio on his way home — not knowing that this ordinary moment would mark the beginning of a lifelong love story.

Virgilia and Abundio were neighbors, but they didn’t know each other back then. Their parents — especially Virgilia’s mother, whom they lovingly called Nanay — were very strict and didn’t allow the children to go out and socialize. Virgilia, along with her brothers and sisters, spent most of their days focused on household chores during non-school days and holidays.

After finishing her studies in Cebu, Virgilia returned home and started working at the municipal office. It was during this time that fate brought Abundio and Virgilia together. One day, Ofelio came home with Abundio, and that was the first time Virgilia and Abundio truly met.

Not long after, their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship. But like many great love stories, theirs was not without challenges. Virgilia’s Nanay was firmly against their relationship. Day and night, she constantly scolded Virgilia about it, but their love only grew stronger.

One night, after a particularly intense scolding, Virgilia fainted. Their neighbor, Dodong Torres, stepped in and convinced Nanay to bring her to the nearest medical clinic, which happened to be owned by Dr. Bernardo B. Cabral — Abundio’s brother. Cleverly, Abundio’s family used this moment to persuade Nanay to bless their relationship, telling her that Virgilia had a heart blockage that could worsen if her constant scolding continued. It was their way of softening her heart.

Eventually, Nanay’s silence turned into acceptance. Dr. B. Cabral, who was also the Municipal Vice Mayor at the time, took immediate action. In the middle of the night, he called the Civil Registrar and even asked the Municipal Mayor to come.

And so, at exactly 11:30 p.m. on December 30, 1974, Virgilia and Abundio were married in a civil ceremony. Virgilia arrived barefoot, without even a pair of slippers — just to make sure the wedding would push through before anyone could change their mind.

After the ceremony, Tatay— Virgilia’s father— brought Virgilia back home despite the marriage, as the family agreed to still follow the traditional pamalayé. Their formal church wedding was then set for January 11, 1975 — their second and more traditional celebration of love.

From that day forward, Virgilia and Abundio began their life together as husband and wife. Their union was blessed with five wonderful children, and through the years, their love only deepened.

Today, as they celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary, their family honors not just fifty years of marriage, but a lifetime of faith, resilience, and enduring love. Their celebration is held a bit earlier, as their children wished to adjust the schedule to align with their grandchildren’s school opening — a beautiful reminder of how their love has grown and extended across generations.