by Gwen Stiffany Bukid
The late April breeze of 1971 carried the vibrant promise of celebration as Rosita, a dedicated student of the Candelaria Institute, returned to the lush, quiet province of Humilog. She and her sisters busied themselves sweeping away the dust to prepare their home for the upcoming barangay fiesta, entirely unaware that destiny was strolling down their street.
He appeared with a guitar slung casually over his shoulder—a young man named Rogelio. Upon hearing her cousin whisper of his rare musical talent, a curious Rosita invited him into the cool, welcoming shade of their living room.
"Could you please play a song for us?" she asked politely.
With a warm, gentle smile, Rogelio’s fingers danced across the strings, coaxing out the tender, sweeping melody of "Faithful Love". The notes floated through the house like a soft breeze, filling every corner with an unspoken warmth. In that single afternoon, Rosita found herself captivated not just by his skill, but by the profound passion woven into his music.
Their bond blossomed effortlessly as Rogelio became a frequent visitor. On a quiet walk, bathed in the golden light of the afternoon, he gathered the courage to bare his soul and ask for her hand in courtship. Rosita's heart fluttered, but her response carried a gentle ultimatum: "If you go back to school, I will say YES!". Fueled by a fierce, devoted love, Rogelio returned to his studies, keeping his promise and officially winning her heart. Soon, he was celebrated as the school's finest guitarist. Rosita, now in her second year of college while he was in his third year of high school, beamed with pride as she watched the man she loved pursue his dreams.
But their sunlit romance soon encountered a heavy, darkening storm. When Rosita missed her monthly period, her mother uncovered the truth: she was carrying a child. Heartbroken and desperate to protect the future they had worked so hard to provide, her disappointed parents stripped away her education. To sever the young lovers' tie, they exiled her to the distant city of Cagayan de Oro.
Isolated beneath an unfamiliar sky where she knew no one, Rosita plunged into a deep, echoing loneliness. The shadows of sadness grew so heavy she even considered ending her own life. Yet, a fierce maternal fire burned through the darkness, keeping her fighting for the life growing inside her. On February 20, 1974, through tears of pain and sheer wonder, she gave birth to twin boys.
Returning to Cabadbaran city, she found that distance and time had not dimmed Rogelio’s burning devotion. Through a trusted friend, he secretly sent milk and money to provide for his sons—funds he had poured his soul into winning through guitar competitions and talent fees. Embracing her new family, Rosita's mother named the boys Matthew and Arnold, drawing inspiration from their local priest.
Tragedy struck when Rosita's father passed away in 1975, but in the depths of that profound grief, Rogelio stood as a pillar of unwavering strength for her family. His tireless care and undeniable sincerity finally melted her mother's reservations.
On January 6, 1976, they stood together and exchanged vows, cementing a love that had weathered every storm. They built their forever home on the very soil they had first met, raising four children together. Their story proved that the melody of "Faithful Love" was not just a song they once shared, but the enduring, triumphant soundtrack of their lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment