The date of a couple’s wedding becomes an unforgettable moment in their life. Every year, on this date, they reaffirm their love and dedication for each other, as well as forget their daily sacrifices and compensate them with joy and happiness for being together. Mr. & Mrs. Carlito Mejilla, nee Minerva Ansay or Carling and Miner as we fondly call them, made their own plans for celebrating this memorable day during the past forty-nine years in their life. Today, their golden wedding anniversary celebration, they have reached a milestone in their married life. Hence to pay tribute to their parents on this special occasion, a grand party was tendered by their children.
In school, whether in the elementary grades, in the high school and/or in the college or university, when a student takes two in an examination, it means that student did not do well in his/her first exam so he/she has to take a second chance to be able to get a passing grade. On the other hand, in the married life of a couple, in this case, of Carling and Miner, when the couple takes two in saying “I do” that means they were able to establish a lifetime relationship so that they became complementary of each other. This relationship is entirely based on faith, trust, understanding and above all, love. Besides, they were able to surpass the pains and hardships they encountered during their fifty years of living together.
Carling is a teacher by profession. His first two years of teaching were spent in Cavinti Elementary School in the mid-1950′s. Then he applied for a teaching job in Manila and was accommodated at San Beda College where he taught for seventeen years. It is during his sojourn in Manila that he found and married his soulmate and partner Miner.
Carling and Miner are blessed with four children: a female and three males, namely: Jane, Ben, Joel and Fred.
His income at San Beda College was quite satisfactory, but because his family is growing in number, Carling flew to the western world to look for new opportunities to enhance his career. He left Cavinti on December 15, 1972. His new luck settled him in St. Albans, Newfoundland where he taught at the Holy Cross Elementary School.
Miner and the four children joined Carling in Newfoundland on May 15, 1974 where the family, for some time, established residence in the city of St. Albans in this Atlantic province. Miner did her part of securing additional income for the family by working at the Central Mortgage Housing Corporation of Newfoundland. Several years later, when the family moved to Mississauga, Ontario, Miner worked at Sears Ontario. She retired from Sears, and now, she works as a secretary at the clinic of her son, Dr. Fred Mejilla who is a chiropractor.
Carling continued to be a teacher shaping the minds of the youth under his tutelage. He is now retired but he is happy because he feels that he has accomplished a mission when he recalls his years teaching in different schools with diverse students of divergent regions, culture and ethnic backgrounds.
The four children have had their share of the good family fortune by pursuing their education. All four earned college degrees: Jane, Nursing; Joel, Geology; Ben, Geophysics, then Accounting and Fred, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. Besides, they have their own family and children.
Fifty years ago, in 1957, Miner and Carling pledged to be loving partners in marriage at St. Joseph Church in Quezon City, Philippines. The couple treasure very much the “crucifix” which until now is in their possession, given by the late Senator Estanislao Fernandez, one of the witnesses, for a wedding gift.
Today, as they take two in saying “I do” let us all wish them more wedding anniversaries to enjoy and may their life be filled with happiness and love forever.
M A B U H A Y ! ! !
To Mr and Mrs Carling Mejila,
Congratulations on you 50th Wedding Anniversary!
Greetings from Rosa Bacsafra Lee, one of your students at Cavinti Elementary School. I think it was in Grade 5 or 6. Last time I saw you was during Fiestahan in Canada year 2001.
Our family resides in Castro Valley, California. Maureen and Celso Ramos who live nearby told me they will be there in Canada to attend the celebration.
God Bless and more happiness to both of you.
Regards,
Rosa and family