The Bride

This is a re-post from my old blog.

The bride was Aling Luisa* 50 plus years old getting married to Mang Tibo* a few years older than she.

Aling Luisa has been a widow for as long as I can remember. She has 2 children that she sends to school by selling groceries in our local market. Her daughter was one of my personal acquaintances.

During the late 80s, the wife of a known businessman in our town died. Mang Tibo, the widower, was left with 3 grown up children. He was in mourning for a year. After another year, he asked the hand of Aling Luisa in marriage.

I was astounded.

But the older generation seemed not to be surprised at all. So, I asked the story behind the 'wedding' and so I was told. Aling Luisa and Mang Tibo used to be sweethearts. But Aling Luisa's parents preferred a different man for her. So, the young lovers broke up and lived separate lives. Aling Luisa's husband died while their children were but young. She struggled and fought her way to provide for them. Because of her still visible youth, she was courted by widowers and bachelors alike, but she politely turned them down and focused on her children's education.

Then, Mang Tibo's wife passed away. He sincerely mourned for his wife and took care of their children. After a year, he went out of mourning and courageously expressed his intentions to marry Aling Luisa after all these years. Aling Luisa happily accepted and they got married.

That was about 20 years ago. I don't know if the two old people are still alive, but their story remains in my mind until now..

*not real names