By BONITA ERMAC
BALO-I, Lanao del Norte ~ An armored personnel carrier served as a “wedding tank” when it carried six women to a military camp here where they tied the knot with their respective long-time partners who are all soldiers belonging to the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion on Saturday.
4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Colonel Domingo Dulay, Jr., who was instrumental for the activity, said love cannot wait for the pandemic to stop.
“Love conquers all. Walang pandemic kung nagmamahalan tayo, walang makakapigil diyan”, said Dulay.
Dulay reminded the husbands of their responsibilities to their wives and families.
“Alalahanin n’yo that we are still bound by military rules when it comes to family. Hindi ko na kailangang i-elaborate,” Dulay stated.
“Sa mga bagong kasal, this is a true start of your road to forever, congratulations and best wishes,” he concluded.
Monsignor Ramonito S. Torres, Vicar General of the Prelature of Saint Mary’s in Marawi, officiated the event.
Newlyweds Private First Class Montecarlo T. Bueno and Geneveve Veloso were grateful for the celebration initiated by the 4thMech.
They shared that they were both students when they first met in 2010, but they separated after seven months because they prioritized their studies.
After two years, however, they met again and have lived together for eight years now. They have two sons.
Bueno related that they had found it hard to find a perfect timing to marry due to priorities at work. Besides, for three consecutive years both his and her siblings also got married.
“Tatlong sunud-sunod na taon na may ikinasal sa part naming dalawa kaya hindi kami nakasingit doon sa kanila”, said Geneveve, adding that next January her brother will also wed.
“Magandang opportunity na binigyan kami ngayong December dahil kay BatCom (Battalion Commander), kaya masayakami,”she said.
“Kapit lang sa isat-isa, tiwala ko sa iyo nandito lang, kaya sana huwag mong sirain iyon, kasi iyon lang iyong naka-konect sa ating dalawa lalung-lalo na mga anak natin,” Geneveve told her husband during the ceremony.
The couple also expressed gratefulness to all other officers who have prepared for the wonderful wedding celebration.
