Celebrating Fifty Years of Wedded Bliss
By: Ismael J. Castillo
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After 50 years of unwavering Trust, Joy, and Love that kept them inseparable over the years, Carlito and Minerva Mejilla (better known as Carling and Miner) renewed their vows in a Eucharistic Celebrations at St. Matthew’s parish church in Oakville, Ontario Canada on July 17, 2009. The marriage was a success bearing four children, a girl and three boys.
Re-enacting the wedding ceremony that took place in 1959 at the Sacred Heart Parish Church in Quezon City back in the Philippines, the Golden Couple walked down the white covered aisle preceded by their children and families in this particular order; from the youngest to the eldest, Dr. Fred & Lorie Mejilla and children: Mackenzie, Nadia, Rogue Christian, and the twins Rayne and Shea; Joel & Gina and sons: Justin, Jeremy and Jacob; Benedict & Sherie and daughters Ashley and Raechel; Jing & Jane and children: Jared, Jancelle and Jana. Very debonair and elegant in their own ways, they marched to the accompaniment of Alan Silvestri’s Forest Gump and Johann Pachelbel’s Golden Couple in D major, performed by Cellist Ana Trcka and Josephine Chang on the piano.
The ceremony commenced with Maritess Castillo-Lalonde reciting the introductory rite, thus: “Today as we celebrate the renewal of the marriage vows of Carlito and Minerva, let us all unite our hearts and minds and join Carlito and Minerva in this Eucharistic Celebration to give thanks and praise to the Lord for all the love and blessings bestowed on them for a blissful 50 years of togetherness in love of God”.
With Father Mark Gatto consecrating, Carling and Miner reaffirmed their “married love and fidelity before God and this community” in the same fashion that they exchanged their vows 50 years ago. The traditional lighting of the wedding candles, veil and cord ceremony, blessing and exchange of the rings and arrhae completed the wedding rites amidst Soprano Clarissa Miranda’s vocal renditions of the soul searching Ave Maria, The Prayer and Gaano Kita Kamahal.
After the church ceremony the balmy summer afternoon was disturbed by a sudden downpour with breaking thunderstorm. But that didn’t dampen down the spirit of the hundreds of guests who enthusiastically drove up to Carmen’s Convention Centre Hamilton for the reception at the Milano-Venetian Ballroom.
Italian and French specialties such as hors d’oeuvres of antipasto, seafood medley and a la carte cheese ravioli with fresh tomato sauce and good Italian red and white wines prepared everyone’s palate for the double entrées of a la carte beef alla eduardo (medallions of beef with sautéed mushrooms, onions & peppers in a light wine sauce), and savory chicken cordon bleu (stuffed with Provolone & Ham).
As if those were not filling enough, a buffet of a ala carte cheese cake slices, crepes freshly prepared on the table, assorted European sweets and cookies, and fresh fruits were served in the middle of the night. And who could resist a drink or two from the bar? Every one danced the night away to the music of a live band with the accompanying singers all fired up.
Paraphrasing Vangie Lazaro, who proudly announced she came all the way from New York City for the occasion (oh yeah, she never failed to plug-in CLOTA of which Carling and Miner are members), she said that the success of a program depends on how the emcee performs. The three-part program was indeed a success with Vangie and co-emcee Chris Avelino on the podium.
The usual introduction and procession of the bridal entourage and the celebrants started the program, followed by a video presentation of photo montage of the couple from vintage years to the present. The music of the decade when they got married played in the background, which brought back nostalgia to many of the guests and perhaps a few tears to some tender hearts.
One could feel the pride oozing from Carling and Miner when one by one their thirteen grand children fondly kissed and presented them with long-stem red roses. The two-year old twin girls of Fred and Lorie, Rayne and Shea were exceptionally pretty and dainty in their identical coiffed golden hairs and matching long dresses. They elicited oohs and aahs from many as they offered the roses to their Mama and Papa with loving innocence. Addressing their grandparents with the common theme, the grandchildren thanked Papa and Mama “for being always there to baby sit and feed us….”
Somebody jokingly quipped; “Aren’t those the reasons why God created grandparents?” The children and their respective spouses followed instantly forming a human square around Carling and Miner. As the music was playing each son and son-in-law danced with the Mom, while the daughter and each daughter-in-law took the floor with the Dad. Joel and Gina’s sons Justin and Jeremy played the guitar and drums respectively with the band as offering to the grandparents.
Tessie M. Castillo, the groom’s sister, ushered in the last portion of the program by addressing the celebrating couple with gratitude for sharing with her the best and worse of their lives. She offered them congratulations and best wishes for more years to come. Likewise Fred and Lorie, Joel & Gina, Ben & Sherie and Jane & Jing took turns in paying tributes and proposing toasts to the parents with parallel themes: Trust, Joy, and above all Love.
The ceremonial cutting of the cake highlighted the evening, and on cue (oh, those tinkling wine glasses never lose their magic) the couple obligingly yet happily kissed for the camera to the delight of the happy gathering. At the conclusion of the program Carling and Miner (beaming throughout the evening) took the microphone to thank their children for throwing a special party in celebration of their golden wedding anniversary. As well, the celebrants expressed gratitude to and made particular mentions of their families and loved ones who came all the way from the Philippines and several parts of Canada and the USA. They also thanked all the guests for coming to the wedding and sharing the joys of the occasion – a celebration indeed fit for a Golden Couple.
Mel to friends, Ismael J. Castillo is a native of Cavinti who has called Canada home for 35 years now. Until his recent retirement he had been working in architectural Design & Planning, Space & Facility Planning, and Project Management involving the three major Canadian banks
