BLESSINGS IN MY SECOND MARITAL LIFE

For about two years I lived the life of a single parent. I sought the advise of priests on whether or not I should remain single, enter the priesthood, or be married again. All were unanimous in admonishing me that the married state of life seems to be my vocation. When Rome denied my application to be accepted for priestly ordination, I considered this as a sign that God wanted me to embrace the married state again. I prayed for guidance in choosing my would-be life partner.

Through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement I had the chance to meet several potential brides. When I met Miss Ofelia de la Cruz Quimosing on Feb. 19, 1982 during a wake where we both led a Bible Service for the dead, I was, indeed, attracted by her beauty and modest behavior. I also had the strong feeling that she was the one whom God meant to be my wife. I then started courting her. Even with very strong opposition on the part of her parents and sisters, with the exception of Cherry, her youngest sister, I pursued my desire to win her. We stormed heaven with our prayers, so that all obstacles would give way to our union in marriage. God’s ways are simple and truly wonderful. It was a letter from Rev. Fr. Oscar Deltour from far away Belgium that finally made the parents of Ofel give their blessing to our special relationship. Why? Because the Fr. Oscar that was like a father to me at the seminary was the same Fr. Oscar who married the parents of Ofel and who remained their spiritual father through the years. Thus, finally on December 22, 1982, with Most Rev. Teodulfo Domingo as the presider and eight other priests as concelebrants in a Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Ofel and I administered to each other the Sacrament of Matrimony.

In asking for the hand of Ofel, foremost in my mind was the need for someone on whom I could rely for moral support in my spiritual journey towards my eternal destiny. Aware of my weaknesses and of my sinful ways in the past, I longed for someone who could edify and strengthen me in my struggles for holiness. I saw in Ofel what I longed for. Her Godliness in behavior and the sincere manifestations of her Christian faith in word and deed impressed me. I, therefore, thank God for the great blessing He gave me in the person of my wife, Ofel.

Ofel first started teaching at the Public Elementary School of Tuguegarao, being a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education graduate of the Philippine Normal College in 1965. In 1969 she obtained a scholarship on Special Education (SPED) at the University of the Philippines and graduated with a Master’s Degree in SPED in 1971. After her scholarship, she handled classes in SPED for children with behavioral problems and later on served as Guidance Counselor of Tuguegarao Central School. In 1976, after ten years in the public schools, she accepted an offer to serve at the National Labor Relations Commission, Regional Arbitration Branch No. 2, where she served in different capacities until she got her present position as Labor Arbitration Associate. While serving in the government, she makes time after office hours to also serve the church. She is active in several religious organizations and movements, like the Legion of Mary, Catholic Women League, Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, and the PREX Secretariat. Aside from these, she is also active in civic organizations being a Board Member of the Girl Scout Cagayan Council and an officer of the Premier Tuguegarao Woman’s Club. She even finds time to serve as a Marriage Counselor to couples about to get married. Even with all these involvements, Ofel remains to be a dutiful caring wife. She ensures provisions for our everyday needs at home and also does the household chores like laundering, ironing and cleaning activities. Without her, I would not know how I could cope with life here on earth. I pray therefore, that if this be in accordance with God’s will, He will take me ahead of her to “OUR FATHER’S HOUSE”.

After journeying together as husband and wife for a period of thirteen years, Ofel and I were blessed unexpectedly with an Award from His Holiness Pope John Paul II. On December 22, 1995, our 13th Wedding Anniversary, our Archbishop, Most Rev. Diosdado A. Talamayan, DD conferred on Ofel the Papal Award of Dame of St. Sylvester, and on me the Papal Award of Knight of St. Sylvester. It is very seldom, they say, that this Award is given simultaneously to both husband and wife.

God has also blessed me with God-fearing parents-in-law. My father-in-law, Conrado Quimosing, was a very humble and quiet person. For about nine years before his death on Feb. 25, 1991 that I had the chance to know him, I found myself respecting and loving him. He found joy in making himself available to extend a helping hand to anyone in the family who needs his help. When he got sick, I witnessed him endure his bodily pains without any murmur. God blessed me with his example of patience and fortitude in bearing the cross of his sickness. My mother-in-law, Roberta de la Cruz Quimosing, is also a very religious woman. She goes to Mass everyday, missing it only when she is sick. Gifted with a “green thumb” she enjoys gardening and with her eye for beauty, she arranges her garden beautifully making it refreshing. She finds recreation in playing mahjong with chosen friends but she always makes it a point to refrain from playing throughout the whole Lenten season as an act of sacrifice. She also never tires especially when she was stronger, to gather the whole family to a get-together at least once a week so as to partake of the delicious food that she herself prepares and also to pray the rosary together as one big family. I found in her a real mother who truly cares and anticipates the needs of her children.

With Ofel as my wife, I am blessed with three sisters-in-law.

1. Imelda Lourdes (Lou) – the eldest among them was an Elementary School Teacher, handling Home Economics subjects. She got married to Dr. Henry Ridad, a retired Army General and a dentist by profession. They are blessed with one child, Louhen. They are now living in San Diego, California, USA. Before migrating to America, they used to invite us at their residence in Caritan Norte on special occasions and even when there was no occasion at all, to partake of the delicious meals that she prepares. Lou is a very good cook. She is also a very practical manager with an abundance of resourcefulness and creativity. She is very generous and shares whatever she thinks would make one happy.

2. Estela Evelyn (Evie) – more than a year younger than Ofel is a brilliant writer. Through a scholarship program she also finished a Master’s degree in Reading at the University of the Philippines. She first served as a teacher in Public Elementary Schools for some years. Later on she opted to join Ofel at National Labor Relations Commission, Region 2. She is also occupying the position of a Labor Arbitration Associate. Although she has some health problems, she has managed to involve herself in several church activities. Right now she is the Secretary of the Tuguegarao Parish Pastoral Council. During PREX Seminars, she usually handles one of the ten talks. In spite of her charming beauty she had so far eluded several suitors as she is content in enjoying the state of single blessedness. In word and deed, Evie stands out as a model of good Christian behavior.

3. Paz Rosario (Cherry), the youngest among the sisters, exudes a pleasing personality, blessed with both beauty and brains. As a BSEE graduate of PNC she also first started to serve as a Public Elementary School Teacher. Spotted to be an asset, Dr. Pura T. Liban, then a Division Supervisor, pulled her out of the classroom to be detailed at the Division Office of Cagayan. Later on, she transferred to the Department of Health and then to the Government Service Insurance System, where she decided to take advantage of the early retirement scheme that was then offered. Married to Mr. Simplicio Erick Perez, they are blessed with four children (two girls and two boys): Richelyn Anne (Chi-Anne), Raymond Shaft (Toto), John Erickson (JE), and Maria Erika Rose (Zazza). Cherry and Eric are both very enterprising and they have ventured into the business of medical supplies and equipment as well as grocery and gift items. Although faced with stiff competition, they have managed to keep alive and strong their business endeavors. Busy as they are, now and then they manage to invite us to their residence at Alimanao or to a special eatery in the city to treat us with delicious food. Cherry is a very good story teller and thus, gives joy to those listening to her. She is surely a great blessing to the family and to all who have the privilege of being touched by her life.

Lately, Chi-Anne who got married to Mr. Joel Domingo, gave birth to a baby girl (Janelle Anne Charisse) on July 25, 2004. She is the first grandchild of Cherry and Erick and is, indeed, a “bundle of joy” to all of us.

I would like to mention also two aunties of my wife, who have showered on her and her sisters so much constant care and support.

1. Miss Ermelecinda (Auntie Iging) de la Cruz was an Elementary School Teacher. Ofel tells me that being single, much of her blessings in life were generously shared especially on her and her sisters and that she greatly supported them financially in obtaining their education. At the time I met her, she was already retired from the service. Knowing her personally for the remaining eight years of her life, I was so impressed with her humility and simple life style. While she suffered a lingering sickness, I never heard a complaint from her lips. She exuded the virtue of patience and a childlike submission to the will of God for before her illness she was also a daily Mass goer.

2. Mrs. Mercedes (Auntie Ceding) de la Cruz Manuela, who will be 92 years old on December 14, 2004, was also an Elementary School Teacher. In her early forties she got married to Mr. Vicente Manuela who I learned was my Godfather in baptism. Though she has no child of her own she cared for the Manuela family when she was still strong. After undergoing surgery in 1999, she was taken by Ofel’s family to be cared and looked after. Living in the same residence, I am a witness to her being an example of a very prayerful woman. Many a time I see her lighting a candle before the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Blessed Mother Mary where she would spend hours of praying daily. Every morning, too, she humbly waits for us after the Mass, to receive Jesus in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. One cannot but be edified by her quiet demeanor and Godly presence.