7 children, 18 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.
December 20, 2008, Saturday marked our parents' 50 years of living together.
50 years!
With grateful hearts, we celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary with a thanksgiving Mass at the St. Nicholas Chapel. The lunch reception was held at the gymnasium of Brent International School, Brent Road, Baguio City. A program followed thereafter, until 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon. A stream of relatives and guests continued to fellowship with our parents at their residence in Kalapati Street Extension, Dizon Subdivision, Baguio City.
We planned this affair to be simple but memorable. What mattered most was that we give thanks to God for the blessings He gave to our parents, and for us to commemorate their 50 years together. We started the Thanksgiving Mass with a customized procession, color coded to highlight their productivity[;)]: The first generation in green, 4 of us in Baguio (Lourdes, Pureza, Clarence, Lumel], and 3 were with us in spirit (Lucien Jr in Guam, Vincent and Melchor in GA USA). Next in line were our children, the second generation in blue, and followed by the great-grandchildren (take note, all belonged to Dammi), the 3rd generation in red!
Our parents marched together to the altar, with Lourdes and Clarence singing "The Battle Hymn of Love":
I will pledge my heart, to the love we share. Through the good and bad times too. I'll forsake my rest for our happiness: 'Til my death I will stand by you...
The Mass commenced with Padi Richard officiating. The first lesson was read by Dammi, and the second reading by Lepan. Instead of the Homily, Vincent's selected Biblical scriptures were read: 1) PROVERBS 1: 7 (2)1 CORINTIANS 13: 1-8 (3)GALATIANS 5: 22-24
After that, Dammi sang the first song dedicated by our dad to our ma entitled "Close to YOu". It was poignantly delightful to hear a very sentimental old song. Coupled with their theme song, Kalaleng and Dammi sang "After All These Years (Journey)" . "..After all these years You stood by me The days and nights that I was gone . After all these years You sacrificed, believed in me And you stood strong. Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear, After all these years.. " We could hear our ma sniffle, while our dad seemed to be in deep thought. They had an emotional renewal of wedding vows and the traditional kiss. Those were touching sweet moments which would be etched in our memories of them. We pray that God grant them more years together.
"Close to you, I will always love you. Close to you, I will always stay.."
To our personal friends whom we were not able to invite, we missed your company. We, however focused on our parents' friends and innumerable relatives. We practically stopped counting at 200. At the moment, that's all we have budgeted to feed. We were up to our expectations and we wish that everyone went home happy. We danced with our dad, and Clarence dance with ma. To Vincent, Jhun, and Melchor, your nephews proxied you. Of course, the gangsa went non-stop. Auntie margie yodelled. She's still very good at it, while auntie Shirley danced. Aunties Adela and Rosing talked. Mng Vicente gave us bits of stories when our parents were wed in Soquib, Besao. Our Gomeyac cousins, nieces and nephews sang and danced. All the numbers rendered by those who were there delighted us all.
From our hearts, we would like to thank those who came to celebrate with us, and those who in one way or another helped make this important ocassion a success. We appreciate so much those who generously shared their blessings, may it be their time, talent, or treasure (in service or in kind). You will always be remembered. Your names were deligently written down on the pages of our dad's notebook. We will not forget.
Yours Sincerely,
Lourdes_Dammi, Pureza_Lepan, Vincent_Ongyod, Lucien Jr_Aluyen, Melchor_Bayyatin, Clarence_Kalaleng, LumelJayne_Depya
Mankayan, Benguet, 1975
1st to 7th 2007-08 photos
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St. Nicholas Chapel
- Liturgy: Richard
- Acolytes: Russia Lei / Red Kairos
- Songs (selection from ma): Come Thou Fount / Standing on the Promises / How Firm a Foundation / Count Your Blessings / Love Divine / Trust and Obey / Showers of Blessings
- Readers & Servers: 1st Reading - Dammi / 2nd Reading - Lepan / Intercession - Clarence / Offering: Depya with the 3rd generation kids
- Ushers: Jam / Robbie / Czar / Red / Jannah
- Homily: Biblical Scriptures from Vincent / Songs [Dammi & Kalaleng duet]: Close to You, After All These Years
- Photographer: Louie and his group
