Cavite’s Kasalang Bayan couples are living their happily ever after
For longtime couples who still haven’t wed in church—but have been planning and wishing to—budget has always been a major roadblock.
For two Filipino couples to finally exchange vows without financial constraints, their dream weddings became a reality. They had Kasalang Bayan at Lancaster New City Cavite to thank.
Felix and Giezelle Capuz’s marriage took place in 2016 while Melchor and Kclyne Isma wed just last year. Both mass weddings were held at the Parish of the Holy Family found inside the community.
A first of its kind, Lancaster New City Kasalang Bayan breaks the norm on traditional mass weddings by providing not just church ceremonies but a complete package inclusive of prenuptial pictorial, reception, souvenirs, cakes, bouquets, boutonniere and an overnight stay at a hotel. Each bride even gets their coveted walk as their grooms wait at the altar.
As the third Kasalang Bayan on August 4 nears, Philstar.com caught up with the Capuz and Isma couples who shared their new lives as Mr. and Mrs. One thing is certain, both are testaments to happily ever after.
The modern family
Felix and Giezelle Capuz wed on July 30, 2016 at the first-ever Lancaster New City Kasalang Bayan. Their love story was chosen among the many entries of fellow, aspiring couples.
Felix and Giezelle are childhood sweethearts. Their relationship started when they were just 15 years old. Four years later, they had their first child. By that time, however, their parents objected marriage.
“Ayaw pa ng parents ko noon kasi bata pa kami. Wala pa rin siyang stable na trabaho kaya inisip nila na hindi pa siya ang para sa akin. Pero open naman sila na magsama muna kami,” Giezelle recalled.
After seven years of living together—and with no more objections, just support from their families—the couple finally wed on July 30, 2016 at the first-ever Lancaster New City Kasalang Bayan. Their love story was chosen among the many entries of fellow, aspiring couples.
Giezelle believes everything was destiny because the wedding date fell on the 30th, the same day they celebrate their “monthsaries.” She also saw the ad of Kasalang Bayan at Lancaster New City during a property tripping with her sister.
Reminiscing about their wedding day makes Giezelle teary-eyed to this day. “Everything was well-organized, from preparation to reception. Naging intimate din for every couple kas iisa-isa pa rin kaming naglakad,” she said referring to her fellow brides.
Today, the Capuzs live in their dream house—where else could this be but inside Lancaster New City? The brood has grown bigger with the addition of baby girl Elijah Fate. Their eldest, Darius Oliver, is now 9 years old and studying at a private school nearby.
Their family is also unconventional—although no longer unusual—as Giezelle is the provider while Felix is the homemaker. She works as an accountant while he takes care of the kids and laundry.
“Sobrang kampante ako lalo na kapag naiiwan ang mga anak ko. Kahit anong oras ako umuwi, alam ko na ‘yong Papa nila ang kasama nila. Mula paggising sa umaga hanggang pagpasok sa school, at pag-uwi,” Giezelle said.
For Felix, all these just show his love for his wife. He also never misses taking her to and fetching her from the bus shuttle terminal. And by the time they arrive home, he had already cooked their dinner.
Come weekend, they make sure to spend quality time by going out to the malls. They also dream of traveling together locally and then internationally. “Pangarap ng anak kong magpunta sa Hong Kong Disneyland,” Felix revealed.
Asked if they believe in happy ever after, Giezelle answered, “Noong kinasal kami, nag-iba ang pananaw ko. Dati naniniwala ako sa happy ever after. Pero in marriage, love can fade. So for me, love is a choice. Choice ko namahalin siya forever. Choice na mahalin ang isa’t isa.”
“Kahit hanggang sa pagtanda,” Felix agreed.
A happy family
A couple of five years, Melchor and Kclyne have been planning for their own church wedding—but their savings were never enough. Their dream came true at the Lancaster Kasalang Bayan last 2017.
For Melchor and Kclyne, marrying each other at Lancaster New City's Kasalang Bayan was what they have been waiting for. A couple of five years, they have been planning for their own church wedding—but their savings were never enough.
“Pangarap talaga namin iyon,” Kclyne said. “Nakita ko noong 2016 na may Kasalang Bayan pero hindi kami umabot. Kaya inantay ko talaga ‘yong sa susunod na taon. Nagsulat ako agad at nag-email ng entry namin.”
When they were chosen to wed, they made sure to do what was needed. “Kahit na mahirap ang schedule, ginagawan talaga namin ng paraan para maka-attend ng practice. Sobrang desido na magpakasal noon,” Melchor said.
Their efforts paid off and their wish came true last June 30, 2017.
Asked to share their love story, Melchor and Kclyne said they have always liked each other back in high school but never got the chance to be together. Whenever one of them was free, the other one wasn’t. When Melchor returned home after working in Japan, they rekindled their feelings for one another.
“Pumupunta ako sa bahay nila. Nag-uusap na kami ng madalas, niyaya ko siyang lumabas, pumasyal. Lagi kaming magkasama hanggang sa lalong lumapit ang loob ko sa kanya,” Melchor recalled.
“Masarap siyang kasama. Lagi lang masaya at walang kaarte-arte. Kaya siya ang pinili ko,” Kclyne added.
The same goes for Melchor who also loves his wife’s youthfulness and cheerfulness. With their baby Franchesca Isabel, their household is always filled with laughter.
They also rarely argue. Kcyline explained, “Minsan lang kami mag-away. Tampuhan lang. Kapag mag-away kami, hindi kami nagsasabay. At kahit ako may kasalanan, siya pa rin ang unang lumalapit.”
She added, “Walang nagbago ngayong kasal na kami at mas lalo pang sumaya ng magkaroon na kami ng anak,” said Kclyne, who decided to leave her job and focus on rearing and nurturing her daughter full time.
Meanwhile, Melchor works for a sales department and won’t return abroad to work—even if there are opportunities. He just doesn’t want to be away from his new family. He makes sure to take them to the mall every Sunday for quality and fun moments together.
He also plans to save for his family’s own home in the future—hopefully at Lancaster New City as well.
Do they also believe in happy ever after?
“Oo,” Kcyline answered.
“Naniniwala ako kasi pakiramdam ko, kami na talaga hanggang sa pagtanda. Kung ano pa rin yong inumpisahan, hanggang sa huli ganun pa rin,” Melchor said.
Lancaster New City Cavite is the flagship project of PRO-FRIENDS. It is a family-friendly township of more than 1,600 hectares where residents may Live, Learn, Work, Play, and Pray. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Lancast
