For my tatay and nanay

June 13, 1956…A very special day for my parents…it’s the day when they accepted each other as husband and wife.

Here’s how their love story began.

My lola Ine has this RTW (ready to wear) business and she go to different places selling RTW. My tatay, Herminio, known as Hermie, a non-practicing-dentist usually accompanies my lola. He was 25 years old then.

One time, they went to Calapan Mindoro and there he met my nanay, Enriqueta, known as Tita. My nanay, 23 years old is a typical lady from the province, with white complexion and very long hair up to her ankle.

I guess my tatay has this "thing" in when it comes to girls…haha! and he won my nanay’s heart that easy because when they left for Manila, my nanay is with them already. Oh yes, they eloped!

Of course, my lola can’t do anything about it. They had their civil wedding when they arrive in Manila and after a month, they had their Church wedding.

They were blessed with six lovely children namely William, Leila, Jocelyn, Jacinta, Herminio Jr. and of course, Margarita.

Now let me describe you the real Mr. & Mrs. Herminio C. Geronimo.

My tatay is so strict. He doesn’t want us drinking coffee. You should always use spoon and fork when eating, ayaw nya ng nagkakamay. Always wear your slippers. Those were just few of his house rules.
No suitors- when I was in high school, he told me when I reached 18 years, I can accept suitors. After my debut, he told me after I finished my studies. After finishing my studies, he has these famous lines with suitors that goes:

Scenario 1: When the suitor arrives while where having our dinner.
My tatay: Kain ka muna.
Suitor: Thank you poMy tatay: Di ka pa kumakain, nag-t-thank you ka na.

Scenario 2: When the suitor arrives late evening like 9:00pm
Suitor: Good evening po
My tatay: Hindi, goodnight!

Now, isn’t that rude? He is very intimidating, perfectionist and you better obey his rules or you can leave his house. And to balance that, he’s also sweet and thoughtful, lalo na if I’m asking something from him. I remember when we’re in the mall and I’m holding something, whether a blouse, or shoes, or even a hanky, he’ll ask, "Gusto mo yan?" 'see? 'told you he’s sweet and thoughtful and you guess it right, I’m a daddy’s girl…so, no matter how strict he is, I know what melts his heart.

My nanay is very soft spoken. She’s indeed a very good wife. She worked when my tatay lost his job. My nanay also has her rules. She doesn’t want us making bungisngis, especially when eating…para daw kmeng hindi mga babae. When it comes to suitors, she’s not that harsh like my tatay but for sure she’s in the living room watching tv until the suitor leaves. My nanay is so quiet that sometimes, you don’t know that you’ve already hurt her. I’m not that close to her and one time she attended our recollection in school where you’ll receive a letter from your parent, she wrote something that really hit me."Anak, Sana mahalin mo din ako katulad ng pagmamahal mo sa tatay mo."After that, I had realized that I had taken my nanay for granted. And promised myself that I will make it up to her and I did…I just wish I really did.

I had witnessed how happy my parents were, they have misunderstanding though but that’s how marriage goes. But one thing is for sure, they love each other so much.
It’s quite sad that my tatay passed away three years ago and until now I can see my nanay shed a tear every time she misses him.

Sad…but that how it really goes. Everything has its end…but we have all the memories in our hearts…

To my tatay and nanay, Happy Anniversary!!!! love you both...mwah!