LIFE AND FAMILY

It was all because of DESTINY…

It was already difficult for my grandmother to remember how her mom and dad met each other.It was a meeting even they cannot explain. The love between domingga alday and selvino Manalo was more than happiness and hardships, it was ultimately about taking care of their & children. The eldest of hem was my grandmother, Victoria Manalo, her other siblings were Anacito, Francisco, Mercedes, Melincia and Merlita Manalo.

Victoria was still in her sweet 17 when she found that an arranged marriage was set for her.It was a shocking news that any girl would not like. Everybody wants to have the chance to carefully choose the person they want to live with forever. It was Felix Ruiz, my grandfather, who captured the heart of my grandmother. Though, it was a difficult decision, they slowly learned to love each other. First there were hidden feelings, but as time passes, they admitted finally that they’ve realized that a learned love is stronger than love at first sight.

They had children, including Dolorfina and Virgilio Ruiz, my dad. He was an army officer who fell in love with a young girl in Manila. Elvira Tamises is the daughter of Elieuterio Tamises, a soldier and Virginia Dominggo, a public school teacher. My mom, Elvie always tell me that her parents had a very dramatic love story… Virginia was really not interested to Elieuterio before but he was a desperate suitor that he even followed Virgy in Quirino. After following her, my grandfather talked to my grandma’s parents and they were impressed with his determination.

They had two children, Christian and Elvira Ruiz. My mom was only 18 when she met my dad. It was a telenovela-liked meeting. My dad approached this college girl and asked her name. Who would ever think that they will be meant for each other?? My dad was 8 years older than my mom, a really big age gap. They developed feelings for each other…Now, my mom is already a teacher and her and dad’s love to each other was the reason why we’re here, me, Sharina and Shin.

It was a long story, though, it was something I don’t like to ever miss…

All that happened were not coincidences, they were like something planned, something destined….